Director - Creative CLTFC

Position : Director-Creative CLTFC

Department: Creative


Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Head of Creative, TSE

Status: Full-time (Exempt)

About Charlotte FC

Charlotte Football Club is the Major League Soccer Club in the Carolinas. The Club's mission is to be a unifying force that is bigger than one city and encourage a sense of belonging through a progressive, collective, and ambitious approach that guides efforts on and off the pitch. CLTFC is committed to driving growth through the sport and community outreach. Charlotte FC is owned by David Tepper and is a part of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which also includes Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers. For more information, visit CharlotteFootballClub.com.

Position Summary

The Creative Director role is responsible for establishing and executing the Club's creative vision through innovative and compelling storytelling that grows the fanbase and standard marketing and ticketing campaigns that drive revenue. The work consists of generating a seasonal strategy that sets the creative direction for all departments as well as making creative assets that elicit a feeling of connectivity to the club or a call to action to support the team. This person has a knack for leading brainstorming sessions for cross-departmental initiatives and objectives and providing a strong POV to ensure that the result is aligned with the standard of excellence that the brand demands and fanbase expects. Is a master of organization and calendarization and holds teammates accountable for the process that helps the department function efficiently. In the role, this leader's understanding of the "why" behind the brand is unmatched and has a keen ability to generate ideas that helps the brand resonate and draws the attention of the sports world.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead creative strategy, development, and execution for all Charlotte FC brands (Charlotte FC, Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC Academy).
• Manage the creation of marketing, digital, community, media, sales, promotional, editorial, and retail materials, graphic design and layout, direction and production of collateral and publication materials for team business and sporting departments.
• Work directly with all internal teams on creative needs to make sure they are aligned to brand standards.
• Align closely with the marketing team to develop brand campaigns and strategies to enhance the club's digital presence.
• Determine production requirements by reviewing internal requests and considering creative team scheduling factors.
• Allocate resources and personnel appropriately and manage production timelines and project management of the creative team to ensure on-time delivery and a clear workflow.
• Oversee team of creatives including all team graphic designers and team photographers.
• Work closely with the Strategy and Analytics teams to ensure campaigns are data driven and built to yield measurable insights.
• Work with all external vendors in the production of any brand materials
• Work directly with the social and content teams to make sure all content is aligned to brand guidelines and narrative to ensure consistent quality and storytelling.
• Improve quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes and recommending changes to design, photography, and other creative choices across the brand.
• Stay on the pulse of new market trends, concepts and creative strategies to assess how our club brand can continue to be ambitious in the marketplace.
• Actively contributes to the content team's overall production output and strategy in graphic design.
• Collaborate with and empower creative team to execute creative requests and develop additional campaigns and creative concepts, maximizing productivity and quality of work.
• Oversee creation of visual identities for Club campaigns, events, and programs and assists as a hands-on-contributor.
• Provide art direction and feedback for contracted designers, photographers, agencies, and vendors; using personal internal network to provide freelancers in all graphic and photo spaces.
• Occasional hands on photography support of tentpole moments, key matches, etc.
• Creatively help solve business problems for a variety of stakeholders and adapt quickly as business needs constantly evolve.
• Work directly with players and ensure that they are perceived in the best light from a graphics and photography perspective.
• Other duties assigned as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required.
• 5+ years of experience with creating content with emphasis on digital media.
• 3+ years of experience managing a team of content creators
• Must have a strong understanding of the latest digital, social media, and video production trends shaping professional sports including the cross-section of sports, pop culture, music, fashion, art, and entertainment.
• Must be able to take projects from concept to completion while collaborating with key stake holders.
• Technically knowledgeable and savvy in a digital environment
• Must be flexible and available to work evenings and/or weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Must pass pre-employment screens.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced in graphic design, motion graphics, Photoshop, and Adobe Creative Suite

• Bilingual in English & Spanish
• Experience working in the soccer, sports, and/or entertainment industry.

Skills for Success

• Accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment with ability to multi-task and collaborate.
• Must be able to take design project from concept to completion.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must exhibit professionalism when interacting with staff, members of the media, and players/coaches.
• Must organize personal workflows so projects are easily shared between teammates.
• Must exhibit professionalism as it relates to budget management and meeting deadlines.
• Must adapt, with minimal advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished.
• Must be able to handle confidential, privileged, and/or sensitive information with carefully and with sensitivity.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills.

Physical Requirements

• Standing
• Sitting and working at desk on a computer
• Walking throughout the stadium
• Lift at least 25 pounds

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment (mostly office environment, outside in a stadium facility at times which may include inclement weather conditions) and remotely as assigned by management and based on current business needs. This position may require travel at times.

Charlotte FC is an equal opportunity at-will employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.