Illustrator / Designer

Players Pins is seeking a highly creative and skilled Illustrator / Graphic Designer to join our creative team. You will report to the Creative Director. In this role, you will be responsible for illustrating unique and detailed enamel lapel pins featuring professional athletes and designing engaging packaging for sports team promotions. Your work will support a variety of initiatives, including giveaways, theme nights, season ticket holder gifts, kids clubs, and more for major professional sports teams.
As the Lead Illustrator, you will lead design as well as oversee a team of contracted illustrators and designers, guiding them through each project from concept to completion. You will collaborate with our clients (sports teams) to ensure that each design aligns with their brand guides and promotional goals.
Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality illustrations of professional athletes for enamel lapel pins, capturing likenesses and dynamic action poses.
• Design packaging and promotional materials that complement the pins that help tell the players' and the teams' story.
• Lead and manage a team of freelance illustrators and designers, ensuring the timely completion of all projects to client specifications.
• Collaborate with sports teams to understand their vision, brand guidelines, and promotional needs for each project.
• Review and refine designs, ensuring they meet quality standards, are production-ready, and align with team branding.
• Maintain a consistent visual style for Players Pins across multiple projects while bringing fresh and innovative ideas to each new project.
• Hit project deadlines.
  

Requirements

• Proven experience as an illustrator and graphic designer, with a strong portfolio showcasing both illustration and design work.
• Expertise in digital illustration, with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.).
• Strong understanding of design principles, branding, and packaging design.
• Experience working on branded merchandise or promotional materials, ideally within the sports industry.
• Ability to lead a creative team and provide constructive feedback to freelancers and contractors.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with clients and internal teams.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to take professional video conference calls and work remotely from home.
  

Preferred Skills

• Passionate about the world of professional sports and an interest in sports culture.
• Experience with enamel pin design or working with manufacturers for product production.
• Knowledge of AI tools to produce quick mockups and CGI software such as Blender to produce 3D renderings (a plus).
  

Why Players Pins?
At Players Pins, we are adding a new flavor to the world of sport collectibles and promotions. Join our creative team and help bring memorable designs to life that excite fans, players, and teams.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
Disclaimer: Please note that the only official way to apply for roles at Players Pins is through our careers page on TeamWork Online. Applications submitted via any other platform, via email, or via external recruitment agencies will not be considered.