Graphic Designer

Vinik Sports Group / Tampa Bay Lightning is looking for a talented Graphic Designer to join our team and play a crucial role in creating and producing high-quality creative assets across the Vinik Sports Group brands. This individual will work closely with the Creative, Social, Digital, and Marketing teams. The Creative team manages projects across all departments, helping to bring our brand vision to life. We’re seeking a proactive, adaptable team player who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Responsible for elevating our brand’s visual identity through innovative design concepts and digital/social content.

Daily responsibilities will include designing graphic content for various platforms, including social media, digital media, brand and ticketing campaigns, retail materials, graphics for Lightning Foundation, Hockey Development and Partnership presentations. Focus on creating and maintaining a consistent brand identity, evolving it over time while collaborating with the internal creative team.

The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of sports and entertainment industry best practices, a proven track record of successful graphic design, and a keen knowledge of creative design trends in live events and the digital space. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced sports and entertainment environment are essential for this role.

• Create and develop visual and creative concepts based off the needs of the project requested.
• Ability to adhere to a brand/season style guides to ensure graphics align with the current design standards.
• Assist in additional organizational creative needs including but not limited to print graphics, digital/social graphics, billboards, email marketing, flyers, signage, promotional items, logo design, partnership decks etc.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently deliver creative work that is both accurate and consistent.
• Strong conceptual thinking skills with the ability to understand brand strategy and apply it across all aspects of projects.
• Strong communication skills when working directly with the Senior Creative Project Manager and Sr. Manager, Graphic Design.
• Willingness to accept feedback on design work from the Sr. Manager, Graphic Design and other departments.

• Game/Event Night Responsibilities: Yes
• Approximate number of events worked per year: 25

• 4-year bachelor’s degree in preferably digital and/or graphic design, communication design and/or related fields.
• 3 years of professional experience in a similar role. Experience in the sports industry or professional design department is preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite – Strong skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. (After Effects knowledge is a plus)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
• Proficient knowledge and skills with MacOS
• Ability to work in project management software
• Must submit strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects and a demonstrated ability to elevate the creative look and feel of a brand. Portfolio should show knowledge of design theory including principles such as color, typography, composition skills, logo design, artistic ability and creativity.
• Working knowledge of sports, social media, in-game entertainment, and ability to meet tight timelines.
• Demonstrate the qualities of a strong team player by collaborating effectively with others to foster a positive and creative team culture. Embrace the desire to challenge conventional ideas and contribute meaningfully to the marketing team's success in reaching both creative and organizational goals. Able to work seamlessly within a design team alongside two graphic designers, Senior Manager and Senior Creative Project Manager.
• Extremely detail-oriented, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced, demanding environment simultaneously contributing to multiple projects each with aggressive development schedules.
• Experience in motion graphics, illustration/drawing ability, and/or editing photography is a plus.
• Attention to detail, both visually and grammatically
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in office and arena environment that can be exciting, loud and distracting
• This is an onsite role; flexibility to work a minority of time remotely.
• Ability to work extended hours including late nights, holidays, and weekends as needed
• Ability to work prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift/carry/move up to 10lbs
• Ability to work in cold/hot indoor and outdoor temperatures
• Ability to work in areas that can become crowded with equipment and/or people
• Ability to work comfortable around special effects including, but not limited to: haze, strobe lights, lasers, etc.   

REQUIRED: DESIGN PORTFOLIO - Applicant must provide/include a link to website portfolio or pdf of design work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.