Director, Graphic Design

Job Title: Director, Graphic Design

Department: Productions

Reports To: VP, Creative and Content Services

Status: Exempt

Directly Supervises: Three Graphic Designers (Full-time), Graphic Design Assistant (Seasonal)

Primary Objective

MY OH MY! The Seattle Mariners seek a seasoned five-tool designer to lead the development and execution of the club’s visual identity and help bring the Mariners brand to life both inside the ballpark and out in the world.

The ideal candidate is a creative switch hitter who can lead a team and roll up their sleeves in design execution. You must stay up on the latest design and typography trends and draw inspiration from sources both inside and outside the world of sports.

Your portfolio should demonstrate a passion for craft, a strong understanding of systems, a discerning eye for design and strong conceptual thinking. You thrive as a collaborator as well as an individual contributor and enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment. You’re not afraid to get scrappy, innovate, and try new things.

In this role, you will collaborate with talented individuals on all aspects of brand design and visual communication for the Mariners—from style guide development, marketing campaigns, to input on digital, social and game presentation content.

You should have the proven ability (and desire) to manage, motivate and inspire. You’re organized, detail‑oriented and know how to prioritize.

All the work you do will help to create connections that build lifelong fans of Mariners Baseball and ignite their passion across the PNW.

Essential Functions

Strategic Responsibilities

• This role will serve as the strategic leader and subject matter expert in all things graphic design. It is your responsibility to make sure the work aligns with the Mariners brand voice, mission, purpose, core values and business objectives.
• You will partner with the Mariners Marketing, Partnerships and Creative and Content Services teams to develop and deliver advertising campaigns and sponsor activations that raise the creative bar, strengthen our partner relationships and build an emotional connection between our team and our fans.

Functional Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Graphic Design Department in developing looks, styles and assets to communicate and elevate the Mariners brand in collaboration with other contributing departments.
• Produce an annual brand style guide to be utilized throughout the organization as well by partners and affiliates.
• Partner with other members of the organization to develop creative concepts, visual strategies and the execution of design projects from inception to completion.
• Be a lead designer for various materials for print, publications, promotional items, websites and digital assets.
• Actively engage in the latest graphic design, photography and motion design techniques. Research trends, develop best practices and seek out resources to expand and evolve the abilities of the department.
• Collaborate with the leaders of the Marketing and Content and Creative Services teams, as well as other key stakeholders, to determine design direction and establish priorities.
• Assist the Photography Team on developing ideas for photoshoots when necessary.
• Prepare presentations for design projects and campaigns.
• Work closely with other organizational departments in achieving their goals through visual assets.
• Provide strong people leadership; implement strategies to effectively manage Graphic Design Team Members and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of department’s staff.
• Train, evaluate performance and foster growth and development of Team Members, encouraging personal and professional development.
• Determine standards for the department with a focus on production, productivity, quality and processes.
• Perform retouching and manipulation of images. Work in conjunction with the club’s Marketing team to establish creative direction for brand guidelines and style guide.
• Work with a wide range of media and graphic design software.
• Manage the department’s projects and processes, including delegating projects amongst the design team. Ensure the department’s projects are completed with high quality and on schedule.
• Facilitate production of graphic design projects with the Procurement Department.
• Evening, weekend and holiday work may be required.
• Will perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred. Equivalent, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal education if approved by management.
• A minimum of five (5) years of previous graphic design and/or Art Director experience, plus three (3) years in management or high‑level capacity required.
• Knowledge of photography, video production and motion graphic execution required.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s)

• Have a high understanding of typography, layout, logo and composition design.
• Well versed in graphic design and relevant software.
• Advanced level proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, with an emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat.
• Skilled in photo finishing including retouching, color correcting and compositing.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365 both as a tool and designing assets for applications such as PowerPoint and Word.
• Knowledge of Mac OS and ability to troubleshoot hardware and software.
• Photography, motion graphics and video production knowledge a plus.
• Knowledge of baseball.
• Authentic and Aware: Exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, demonstrating a dedication to doing the right thing and treating everyone with respect. Is self‑aware and open to feedback, ability to speak the truth with a positive intent, foster a culture of honesty and builds trust with the team. Commitment to the organization’s mission is evident in both words and actions, aligned to actively contribute to the fulfillment of organizational goals.
• Communicate and Collaborate: Values others and their views, actively engaging and partnering with team members. Seeks clarity and shares information transparently, fostering a collaborative environment while influencing others and aligning support. Excels in seeking out and leveraging the right resources, engaging in teamwork with a positive and productive approach. Whether verbally or in writing, communicates in a clear and constructive manner, contributing to an engaged and efficient workplace.
• Execute with Purpose: Takes action and demonstrates accountability, leading with a sense of urgency and dedication to achieving results. Sets and meets challenging expectations for themselves and others, making timely, data‑driven decisions and taking ownership of outcomes. Approachable, engaged, and committed; sets a positive tone and cares deeply about the organization. Manages time, priorities, and resources effectively, aiming for and achieving excellence.
• Adapt and Innovate: Acts boldly, fosters innovation, and supports transformational change. Leveraging analysis and insights, develops new directions and solutions, identifying opportunities for improvement and displaying a commitment to fixing them. With an ongoing commitment to learning and self‑development, overcomes challenges constructively and adjusts effectively to shifting priorities and rapid change. This approach contributes to a dynamic work environment focused on progress and continuous improvement.
• Empower and Develop Talent: Leads by example, serving as a role model for emerging leaders while actively supporting their growth. Attracts, develops, recognizes, and advances high‑quality talent, fostering a culture of excellence. Excels in effective delegation, motivation, and coaching, creating a culture of trust within the team by providing constructive feedback and holding team members accountable. Contributes to a positive workplace that values diversity and supports inclusion, further enhancing the overall work environment.

The Mariners are committed to providing competitive pay, perks, and benefits packages for our valued Team Members.

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $ 100,000- $ 130,000 annually.

All perks are subject to eligibility requirements and availability and may be modified or amended from time to time.

This information is being provided in accordance with the Washington State Equal Pay and Opportunity Act.

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