Creative Designer - Pro Sports

Overview

The Pro Sports Creative Designer creates new graphic design concepts for screenprint and embroidery decoration for Pro Sports seasonal sales sample lines, sketch requests, special art collections and sales presentations according to internal protocol and systems. With particular focus on Hot Market and Localization opportunities that often require quick-turn, this role requires an understanding of all relevant/current market trends and a broad aesthetic to design graphics for Men’s, Women’s and Youth Lifestyle and Performance markets as it relates to Pro Sports. The Designer will also develop keen working knowledge of their specific divisional graphic design needs. Additional special projects may include the creation of garment/decoration sales tools, garment collection boards for client presentations, trend research and development boards etc. The Designer will need excellent creative design skills, production skills and have an in-depth knowledge of screen print and embroidery production. This job requires well developed verbal and written communication skills.

About Unrivaled Teamwear

Unrivaled Teamwear is the fast-growing parent company behind Gear for Sports and Knights Apparel. Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, we design, decorate, and deliver team gear — tees, fleece, performance wear, outerwear, headwear, and accessories — for customers ranging from big box retailers, college bookstores, golf courses and resorts, and national retailers.

We've grown quickly over the past year and expect that growth to continue.  We are looking for motivated candidates looking to grow their career alongside the business.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for new creative concepts for seasonal sales sample lines, sketch requests, special art collections, collaborations, sales presentations, trend presentations and events according to standard protocol and systems.
• Supports Hot Market, Localization, Special Collections, and Event-based Creative Programs, helping translate emerging trends and time-sensitive opportunities into commercially relevant graphics under the direction of the Pro Sports Sr. Manager, Creative Design.
• Contributes creative concepts for high-profile sports moments — including Super Bowl, AFC/NFC Championships, NBA Playoffs, World Series, Stanley Cup, NCAA Championships, and other key events — balancing rapid-response, reactive projects with proactive design work while maintaining brand consistency.
• Excellent creative design skills, color sense, trending skills, production skills and communication.
• Foundational understanding of Pro Sports teams, Pro Leagues and emerging Hot Markets
• Have a strong understanding of screen print, embroidery and garment decoration production requirements.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of screen print and embroidery production systems, as well as sample systems
• Possesses strong market knowledge per Brand and division with whom the department collaborates.
• Researches current market trends in garment decoration processes, graphic trends, art locations & techniques, and develops new art/technique concepts accordingly, including evaluating retail insights and consumer behavior within the Hot Market and Localized graphic design space to surface new creative opportunities.
• Works with Sales, Merchandising/Brand, and clients directly. This Design position can require presenting new art concepts and engaging in presentations multiple times per year.
• Travel occasionally (various locations) to work with internal amd external partners, attend trade shows, retail trending, and client presentations.
• Must be able to react, respond and create very quickly in complex and fast-paced situations, supporting the division's speed-to-market approach for both proactive and reactive Pro Sports moments
• Will assist Sr Manager in sales and client presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design/similar degree or equivalent industry related experience.
• 1-3 years of graphic design experience required
• Strong understanding of basic graphic art concepts such as composition, color, typography, layout.
• Proficiency of Macintosh computer and Adobe Creative Suite graphic design software
• Awareness of Hot Market and Localization trends preferred; ability to work quickly and adapt to time-sensitive, speed-to-market creative requests.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate. Other duties will be assigned as needed.

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing as well as participate in E-Verify.