Senior Manager, Creative Graphic Design

Overview

The Senior Manager of Graphic Design for Gear Leisure Brands (GLB) leads the creative vision for all graphic design across the Bookstore, Resort, Golf, and Military seasonal sample lines, sketch packs, and graphic boards. This role ensures all work reflects current market trends, adheres to established guidelines, and is delivered on schedule. Partnering closely with brand and sales teams, the Senior Manager drives pre-line graphic approvals and leads research into innovative decoration processes and market-relevant trends. The role is also responsible for developing and mentoring a high-performing design team, fostering a culture of creativity aligned with organizational goals.

About Unrivaled Teamwear

Unrivaled Teamwear is the fast-growing parent company behind Gear for Sports and Knights Apparel. Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, we design, decorate, and deliver team gear — tees, fleece, performance wear, outerwear, headwear, and accessories — for customers ranging from big box retailers, college bookstores, golf courses and resorts, and national retailers.

We've grown quickly over the past year and expect that growth to continue. We are looking for motivated candidates looking to grow their career alongside the business.

Essential Duties

• Provides art direction and oversight for all GLB graphic design projects assigned to the design team, including requests from brand, field, and sales management teams and the Senior Director – Creative Design, ensuring projects are completed in accordance with established policies, procedures, and guidelines, on schedule and within budget.
• Leads market-driven research and development of new print and embroidery processes, techniques, and placements, informed by trend research across retail and relevant niche markets.
• Directs all graphic design (prints and embroideries) for seasonal sample lines, ensuring final artwork is completed on time and in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Writes, or oversees the writing of, all seasonal sales sample orders in accordance with established policies and procedures, and approves all sample artwork for bulk sales sample production to ensure quality standards are met.
• Presents, or oversees the presentation of, graphic designs and supporting information to the division's sales force and retail buyers, both in person and in writing, including through seasonal Art Books and other sales-focused creative content.
• Supports, trains, supervises, and evaluates direct reports in accordance with UNRIVALED TEAMWEAR and departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively with internal and external clients, upholding departmental policies and procedures to ensure efficient project flow.
• Collaborates with brand and retail partners on pre-line graphic approvals aligned with brand market direction. Quarterly travel to retail partners is required to support these collaborative efforts.
• Establishes and manages departmental budgets.
• Manages and coordinates special projects as directed by the Senior Director – Creative Design.
• Builds a collaborative team culture by uniting associates around common, clearly defined goals and objectives.

Leadership Expectations

• Fosters an environment of teamwork and cooperation
• Ensures day-to-day compliance with the company’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy and Affirmative Action program
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to influence and guide others at all levels of the organization
• Proven ability to lead and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to clearly articulate and define departmental needs and processes
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, managers, and clients
• Ability to achieve company-wide objectives when directing projects, analyzing data, and reporting results
• Experience establishing and managing departmental budgets

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Four to six years of experience in graphic design within the apparel industry
• Four years of experience in a lead, supervisory, or management role within a creative environment
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate. Other duties will be assigned as needed.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing as well as participate in E-Verify.