Partnership Strategy & Design, Graphic Designer

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

Position Summary:
At the NBA, we are passionate about growing and celebrating the game of basketball. We are one of the world’s most popular sports leagues and are constantly looking for new ways to engage hundreds of millions of fans across the world and deepen their fandom.  

Group Summary:
The NBA's Partnership Strategy & Design Team focuses on driving revenue across our business through developing new commercial opportunities, validating partnership rationale with data and insights, and visualizing how it can all come to life for a brand. They leverage innovative thinking, acute business intelligence, creative storytelling, and best-in-class graphic design to illustrate the ways an NBA partnership can authentically drive both brand objectives and fan engagement. 

Job Summary:
We are looking for a brilliant creative storyteller to join our team; a group of strategic marketers and designers that create new platforms to help our partners connect with our fans. We have a passion for building brands through basketball and, a desire to provide best-in-class solutions, platforms and presentations. You will inspire and build best-in-class presentations that help drive revenue across the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League, BAL and USA Basketball.  Using engaging visuals, design and creative ability as the foundation for success, this role is focused on visual storytelling through powerful and engaging pitch presentations.   

You must possess:

• an understanding of design theory, layout and creative storytelling
• deep knowledge of MSFT PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign)
• knowledge of video editing software and interactive UX/UI design tools (Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Ceros)
• the ability to influence through visual communication and creative expertise  
• an innate understanding of brand and consumer marketing
• a proven track record of communicating platforms and offerings that drive revenue and deepen partnerships
• a positive, can-do, team-first, collaborative attitude and ability to thrive in a collaborative environment
• Highly motivated, proactive, adaptive, and curious with a willingness to learn and implement relevant new tools and techniques

Major Responsibilities:

• Work closely with PSD Strategists to conceptualize, develop, visualize, and present custom partnership solutions by understanding the prospect’s and/or partner’s marketing DNA
• Understand the prospect’s and / or partner’s brand DNA and design presentation to reflect brand synergies and positioning
• Use storytelling to effectively sell-in partnership ideas with new business and account teams
• Develop, visualize and present customized partnership solutions
• Assist in the development and review of key PSD-created deliverables including, custom pitch decks, evergreen sales materials, event and season recaps, case studies, partner communication materials, and partner onboarding documents
• Serve as the go-to for any one-off, ad hoc design needs, including research slide infographics, proposal mocks, and custom cover pages
• Support projects within the creative asset request ticketing system
• Assist in creating, designing, and proofreading any PSD-created materials
• Contribute to cross-functional brainstorms that inform creative solutions through participation, capturing notes, and translating ideas into tangible partnership opportunities
• Assist in global coordination and tracking of partner benefits and assets to be commercialized
• Manage tasks like weekly highlights and note recapping on behalf of the team as appropriate.
• Stay informed on brand marketing and sports sponsorship trends 

Required Education/Professional Experience:

• 3+ years of work experience at either a creative or branding agency, and/or brand
• College degree - preferably with a concentration in art or graphic design
• Knowledge of and familiarity with current dynamic design platforms

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes:

• Brilliant storytelling skills through visual communication
• Understanding of visual attributes needed to tell a persuasive, marketing story
• Proven background in managing well-designed and highly polished deliverables
• Experience packaging insights from both syndicated and primary data resources
• Strong organization skills, including attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively
• Desire to work in a shared/collaborative environment and be a great teammate
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with cross-functional teams. 
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify and address issues proactively. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Portfolio required

Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000 

Job Posting Title: Associate Manager 

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume. 

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace.  To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA