Sr Manager, Game Design - TCG

About the Company

Fanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.

About the Team

Fanatics TCG is a new Seattle-based trading card game studio within the Fanatics Collectibles family, founded by industry veterans with a long-term mandate: to build enduring franchises that live across tabletop, digital, community, and culture. We're looking for the most skilled and passionate talent in the games industry and beyond to help us create the best trading card games in the world.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a Sr Manager, Game Design who’s passionate about growing and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of game and narrative designers across all stages of trading card game development. You have the emotional intelligence to know what each person on your team needs, the experience to give them real direction, and the conviction to hold a high bar without losing anyone along the way. Fanatics TCG is building franchises from the ground up, and this role helps ensure the people doing that work are set up to do the best of their careers.

Responsibilities

• Engage and develop your team through regular 1:1s and daily contact — giving direct, meaningful guidance and feedback to help each person grow
• Monitor the team’s dynamic, workflow, and output; improve and implement sustainable processes that support balanced workloads, healthy collaboration, and lasting creative quality
• Manage resourcing across projects and ensure projects have the talent they need at the right time
• Serve as a bridge between Game Design and cross-functional partners in art, production, marketing, and product — translating between creative and operational contexts with clarity
• Ensure your hiring pipeline sources diverse, dedicated people and maintain a fair, consistent interview and testing process; guide and mentor new hires to set them up for success from day one
• Contribute to game design efforts directly when appropriate

Qualifications & Experience

• 8+ years of experience managing creative teams in game development, with a track record of growing talent and maintaining a healthy, high-performing team culture
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams — you understand the different needs, workflows, and pressures of employees across specializations
• Deep knowledge of and genuine passion for trading card games
• A dedicated drive for fostering game design and narrative worldbuilding talent
• Experience working in an early-stage or fast-moving studio is highly valued

Skills & Abilities

• Compassion, self-awareness, and a deep understanding of people — you can read the room, handle pressure with steadiness, and keep morale high through each phase of game development
• Clear, direct communication — you can deliver feedback with care, align stakeholders across functions, and advocate for your team with confidence
• Strong organizational instincts and the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple active projects without losi