Graphic Designer

Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) Creative is a brand-focused, concept-driven team responsible for building, shaping and evolving the HSE brand across every touchpoint. Working closely with partners across the organization, the team develops campaigns, brand systems, sales initiatives, presentations, arena branding, digital content and live-event experiences designed to feel distinctive, consistent and emotionally connected to our fans, partners and community.

As part of this team, Graphic Designers bring creativity, craft and visual storytelling to a wide range of initiatives. We’re looking for a designer with a strong portfolio that demonstrates creative range, conceptual thinking and technical excellence. The ideal candidate understands how to translate strategy into compelling visual ideas, move seamlessly across mediums and maintain a sharp eye for detail, consistency and brand expression.

Experience in sports, entertainment or large consumer-facing brands is preferred, and agency experience is a plus. This role is for a collaborative, thoughtful designer who communicates ideas clearly, thrives in a team environment and can execute at a high level both independently and cross-functionally.

Core Values

HSE embodies the following core values:

• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Competitiveness
• Candor
• Accountability
• Resilience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop distinctive visual concepts and design systems for Hornets Sports & Entertainment across print, digital, environmental, apparel and live-experience touchpoints.
• Translate strategic briefs into compelling creative work that supports Ticket Sales, Partnerships, Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Arena Marketing, Human Resources and other internal partners.
• Take ideas from first exploration to final execution, delivering polished design, production-ready files and assets built for the realities of each channel.
• Collaborate closely with the creative team to deliver work that is thoughtful, timely and aligned with the HSE brand.
• Partner with Video, Animation and Digital teams to build integrated campaign ideas, visual narratives and consistent experiences across platforms.
• Create presentation-ready mockups that help sell ideas internally, externally and across partner conversations.
• Help improve the way work moves through the team by contributing to creative operations, process and workflow.
• Attend select games and live events to observe the fan experience firsthand and identify opportunities for stronger, more useful creative.
• Support seasonal campaign development for the Greensboro Swarm and Hornets Venom GT.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Required Skills, Experience and Abilities

To perform the job successfully, you will have or demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• 2 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within a brand, agency, sports, entertainment or consumer-facing environment.
• A strong portfolio that demonstrates conceptual thinking, visual craft and a clear understanding of typography, layout, color, imagery and composition.
• Ability to translate creative direction and strategic briefs into design solutions that are on brand, on strategy and built for their intended purpose.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize deadlines and maintain a high level of quality across all work.
• Working knowledge of print production, file preparation and retouching processes.
• Strong proficiency across Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Familiarity with Figma is a plus.
• Working understanding of AI tools and emerging creative technologies.
• Experience creating polished mockups and presentation materials for internal and external reviews.
• Strong interest in basketball, sports culture and the Hornets brand preferred.
• Awareness of current design, sports and entertainment trends, with a curiosity for how culture, fans and brands continue to evolve.
• Basic understanding of animation and photography principles is a plus.

Professional Abilities

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring design solutions meet organizational objectives and are delivered with the highest degree of quality, attention to detail and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a willingness to coach, be coached, remain open to different perspectives and respond well to direction from leadership and peers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely to all levels of the organization.
• Dependable and consistently punctual, with a strong work ethic and a high level of integrity.
• Positive outlook and solutions-focused mindset.
• Ability to turn research, data and collected insights into strategic design solutions.
• Ability to occasionally work extended hours, including Spectrum Center events, Hornets home games, nights, weekends and holidays.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, benefit-eligible position. HSE is dedicated to creating and upholding a welcoming environment that celebrates diversity.

HSE provides valuable benefits and competitive time off policies to help you and your family lead healthy, balanced lives.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All requests for medical or religious accommodations to perform the stated job duties will be considered.