Senior Manager, Product Marketing

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager, Product Marketing

🔹 Company: Fanatics

🔹 Location: New York, NY, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-15

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading product marketing efforts for the Basketball and Football trading card portfolio
• Planning, briefing, positioning, and executing integrated global campaigns
• Managing annual marketing calendars and fostering cross-functional alignment
• Serving as the key marketing point of contact with the NBA and NFL
• Supporting brand marketing operations and optimizing workflows

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic planning, creative development, and execution skills, with a strong bias toward delivery. It is well-suited for a marketer with a deep understanding of sports culture and a proven track record in brand or product marketing.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Leading the execution of product marketing efforts for the Basketball and Football portfolio

✅ Managing the annual Basketball and Football marketing calendar

✅ Serving as the key marketing point of contact with the NBA and NFL

✅ Fostering cross-functional alignment through regular updates and planning meetings

✅ Supporting brand marketing operations by optimizing workflows and planning processes

✅ Partnering with Product teams to ensure alignment on strategy, product positioning, and go-to-market timing

✅ Ensuring campaign compliance with brand standards and licensing requirements

✅ Campaign performance analysis and sharing actionable insights with the broader organization

✅ Developing and maintaining toolkits and resources to support operational consistency and transparency

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of collaboration and communication with various stakeholders, including product, creative, commercial, athlete marketing, and digital teams, as well as league representatives.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field; advanced degree a plus

Experience: 8+ years of experience in brand or product marketing, ideally in sports, entertainment, or consumer products

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem
• Demonstrated experience managing licensed marketing programs and working with league or player associations (NBA or NFL experience a plus)
• Proven success in building and executing cross-functional marketing campaigns with a high bar for creativity and detail
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; adept at influencing stakeholders and aligning teams across departments and regions
• Highly organized and execution-focused, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with marketing metrics, dashboards, and campaign performance reporting

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management systems and tools
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in sports, entertainment, or consumer products marketing are strongly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with the NBA, NFL, or collegiate sports is a plus.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $138,000 - $170,000 (NYC) or $138,000 - $160,000 (Los Angeles) per year. This range represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to meet deadlines or attend events.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is specific to New York City and Los Angeles. Salary offers may vary based on location, experience, qualifications, and training. The listed benefits are subject to change and may be dependent on the employee's location and employment status.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Fanatics is a leading online retailer of officially licensed sports merchandise. The company specializes in manufacturing and selling sports apparel, headwear, and collectibles through its website and partnerships with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes.

Company Size: Fanatics has 201-500 employees, making it a mid-sized company. This size allows for a more agile and collaborative work environment while still offering the resources and opportunities of a larger organization.

Founded: Fanatics was founded in 1995 and has since grown to become one of the largest online retailers of sports merchandise in the world.

Company Description:

• Fanatics is a global leader in licensed sports merchandise, offering a wide range of officially licensed products for fans of professional and collegiate sports teams, athletes, and events
• The company operates a vertically integrated business model, which includes design, manufacturing, and distribution, as well as retail through its website and partnerships with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes
• Fanatics is committed to delivering high-quality, authentic products and exceptional customer service to its customers

Company Specialties:

• Manufacturing and selling officially licensed sports merchandise
• Designing and developing custom sports apparel and collectibles
• Operating a vertically integrated business model
• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes

Company Website: www.fanaticsinc.com

ASSUMPTION: Fanatics' focus on licensed sports merchandise and strategic partnerships with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes makes it an attractive employer for sports marketing professionals.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior management position, requiring a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and execution skills. It is well-suited for an experienced marketing professional looking to take on a leadership role in product marketing.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager, Product Marketing reports directly to the Vice President of Brand & Product Marketing and oversees a team of product marketing managers and coordinators.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with the primary work location being the company's headquarters in New York City. Occasional remote work may be possible, depending on the employee's role and responsibilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career advancement within the Brand & Product Marketing team or other departments within the organization
• Opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns and projects with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes
• Access to professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills and advance career growth

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for a senior marketing professional to lead product marketing efforts for the Basketball and Football trading card portfolio, working closely with the NBA and NFL. It is well-suited for an experienced marketer looking to make a significant impact in the sports collectibles industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: The primary work location is Fanatics' headquarters in New York City, with a modern, collaborative office environment designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): 1 Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004, US

Geographic Context:

• New York City is a major global hub for sports, entertainment, and media, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with industry professionals
• The city's diverse cultural scene and vibrant sports landscape offer a rich environment for sports marketing professionals
• New York City is home to several professional sports teams, including the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New York Yankees, and New York Jets, providing ample opportunities for event attendance and engagement

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional evening and weekend work required to meet deadlines or attend events.

ASSUMPTION: The New York City office location provides a dynamic and engaging work environment for sports marketing professionals, with ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with industry peers.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the company's careers website
• Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
• In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual interview with additional team members
• Final interview with the Vice President of Brand & Product Marketing
• Job offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Campaign development and execution experience
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem
• Problem-solving and analytical skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem in your application materials
• Prepare examples of your campaign development and execution experience, highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Be ready to discuss your collaboration and communication skills, as well as your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams

ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, Brand Marketing, Campaign Execution, Sports Culture, NBA, NFL, Collegiate Sports, Licensed Marketing, Cross-Functional Alignment, Marketing Metrics, Strategic Planning, Problem Solving, Team Efficiency

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on identifying candidates with a strong strategic mindset, proven campaign development and execution experience, and a deep understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Marketo, Google Analytics)
• Design and creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with project management tools, marketing automation and analytics tools, and design and creative tools is beneficial for this role. However, specific tools and technologies can be learned on the job.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Passion for sports and fan culture
• Commitment to quality and authenticity
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Customer focus and exceptional service

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
• Results-driven and execution-focused
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a deep passion for sports and fan culture, and a strong understanding of the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem?
• Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment, with a strong focus on execution and results?
• Do you thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional team setting, and are you adept at influencing stakeholders and aligning teams across departments and regions?
• Are you highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities effectively?
• Do you have strong analytical skills and comfort with marketing metrics, dashboards, and campaign performance reporting?

ASSUMPTION: Fanatics values a strong work ethic, a passion for sports and fan culture, and a commitment to quality and authenticity. Candidates who are results-driven, adaptable, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment are likely to be a good fit for the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Navigating the complexities of licensed marketing programs and working with league or player associations
• Adapting to changes in the sports collectibles industry and responding to emerging trends and opportunities

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges and opportunities for a senior marketing professional looking to make a significant impact in the sports collectibles industry. Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple priorities, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and adapt to changes in the industry.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on the Basketball and Football trading card portfolio, with a strong emphasis on licensed marketing programs and collaboration with the NBA and NFL
• Compared to other product marketing roles, this position requires a deeper understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem, as well as experience managing licensed marketing programs
• Career path for this role may include advancement to Director or Vice President of Product Marketing, or transition to other leadership roles within the organization

ASSUMPTION: This role is well-suited for an experienced marketing professional looking to specialize in sports collectibles marketing, with a focus on licensed marketing programs and collaboration with professional sports leagues and teams.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a global campaign for the launch of a new NBA trading card product, in collaboration with the NBA and key stakeholders
• Managing the annual Basketball and Football marketing calendar, ensuring alignment with product launches, events, and other marketing initiatives
• Creating and maintaining toolkits and resources to support operational consistency and transparency across global and regional teams

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic planning, creative development, and execution skills required for this role, as well as the importance of collaboration and cross-functional alignment.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Brand & Product Marketing team, and how this role fits into the broader organization?
• How does Fanatics approach collaboration and communication with professional sports leagues, teams, and athletes, and what role would I play in these relationships?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will my performance be measured and evaluated?
• How does Fanatics support the growth and development of its employees, and what opportunities exist for career advancement within the organization?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the sports collectibles industry, and how is Fanatics positioned to respond to these challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the organization, as well as to assess the potential for career growth and development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: www.fanaticsinc.com/careers
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your understanding of sports culture and the NBA/NFL fan and collector ecosystem
• Prepare examples of your campaign development and execution experience, highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Be ready to discuss your collaboration and communication skills, as well as your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.