Assistant Manager, Sketch Artist Partnerships

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company working at the intersection of collectibles and technology. We are backed by some of the best investors, sports & entertainment properties, and operators in the world.  Fanatics Collectibles is integrating with Fanatics’ global digital sports platform – which includes 900 sports relationships and 81+ million reachable fans – to reimagine the collectibles business for the 21st century.

Role Summary

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking an Assistant Manager of Sketch Artist Partnerships to lead the execution and development of artist initiatives, supporting program growth and operational effectiveness while aligning with organizational objectives. This individual will collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to optimize artist engagement and program scalability. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with exceptional communication skills, strategic problem-solving abilities, and strong technical acumen—with an emphasis on scripting and automation. A deep understanding of the sketch art and collectibles industry is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the creation, negotiation, and management of legally binding agreements for artists across products, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
• Develop and execute initiatives to enhance artist engagement, recruitment, and retention across multiple entertainment brands.
• Partner with internal leadership to support initiatives that optimize resources and program performance.
• Own and manage departmental budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and financial accountability in artist negotiations, procurement, and operational spend.
• Lead process improvement and automation initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity across artist operations.
• Ensure the integrity of the artist database, leveraging automation tools (Airtable, Formstack) to enhance data accuracy and operational scalability.
• Serve as the primary liaison between licensors, artists and internal departments, including Product Development, Marketing, Legal, and Operations, to align on program objectives and execution.
• Own and maintain strong relationships with licensors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to drive quality and operational success.
• Represent Fanatics Collectibles at key industry events, trade shows, and conferences to attract top-tier talent and expand the company’s influence.

The Ideal Candidate: 

• Dallas/Sunnyvale, TX based.
• 5-7 years of experience in artist management, licensing, entertainment partnerships, or project management within the collectibles, entertainment, or sports industries.
• Demonstrated success in team management and talent development.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of securing artist agreements.
• Exceptional project management abilities, adept at balancing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about film, comic books, entertainment, pop culture, and sports industries.
• Solid understanding of art fundamentals, including color theory, artistic mediums, style development, and composition principles.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word) and database tools such as Airtable and Formstack.
• Must have beginner-level scripting ability in Python, Java, or similar programming languages to support automation and process improvements.
• Highly organized, proactive, and capable of thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel for industry events and artist recruitment.
• Bachelor’s degree required

Join us and be part of an exciting journey to redefine the collectibles industry while making a meaningful impact on our artist partnerships!

Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud.  Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Feel free to ask your recruiter for a phone call or other type of communication for interview, and ensure your communication is coming from a Fanatics email address (including @collectfanatics.com).  For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at www.fanaticsinc.com/careers.

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. 

Fanatics Collectibles is a new model and vision for the hobby, fundamentally changing the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many U.S. and international professional and college sports. The organization has long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports and entertainment properties, including MLB, MLBPA, the Premier League, MLS, UFC, Formula 1 as well as Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, among others. In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, establishing the preeminent licensed trading card brand as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business, and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards