Sr. Manager, Innovation Program Management
About UsFanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.About The TeamFanatics Collectibles is a new company operating at the intersection of collectibles, culture, and technology. Backed by world-class investors, operators, and sports & entertainment partners, we are building the global leader in next-generation collectibles. As part of the broader Fanatics ecosystem, we leverage a digital sports platform that spans over 900 sports properties and engages more than 81 million fans. Together, we are reimagining every part of the collectibles experience for fans, partners, and creators.Role SummaryFanatics Collectibles is looking for a determined Senior Project Manager with experience leading empirical research projects to manage product innovations through the testing process, delivering actionable insights that drive the business. This role blends technical testing expertise with project leadership, ensuring that new card manufacturing processes, materials, constructions, and technologies meet stringent quality, durability, and compliance standards.The Innovation & Testing Project Manager will report to the VP of Brand Services, supporting Product, Design, and Manufacturing operations.Primary ResponsibilitiesPartnering with stakeholders to define and design testing processes, maintaining accountability for testing timelines, aligning success criteria, and ensuring complete documentation of the activities and resultsManaging testing process, timelines, and coordination of resourcesManaging the innovation funnel from ideas through testing and validation to scale implementationProducing repeatable work products (testing briefs, test findings, change-management documents, budgets/costing, etc.) that effectively transfer knowledge to the organization for effective testing activities and resultsPrimary Skills & ExpertiseAssemble cross-functional teams for testing projectsLead the development of thorough testing plans, criteria, and requirementsIdentify opportunities to engage additional resources and expertise (internally and externally)Gain alignment of expectations and effortCreate and maintain timelines for testing and scaling successful testsWork with and through functional managers and other leaders to execute testing in a timely mannerProvide direction to Innovation team membersScientific-method orientationDevelop methodic and complete testing protocols to validate new materials, constructions, technologies, processes, etc.Observe the current state and rigorously challenge assumptions and practices concerning testing criteriaFocus on actionable transference of knowledge, supported by documentation and dataShare findings regularly with key leaders in a concise and effective reporting formatPrinting finishing and embellishment experienceMaterials and substratesFinishing and embellishment technologiesIndustry terms, leading suppliers, and methodsStrong knowledge of testing tools and methodologies for printed materialsThe ideal candidate has and can demonstrate skills ofAddressing Challenges: Proactively address any urgent production issues that arise, collaborating with Brand, Product, Operations Planning, and Production teams to find effective and often creative solutionsCollaboration with Operations Planning: Work closely with Operations Planning to prioritize key product processing, such as engineering backlog, scheduling, and file delivery to printers, ensuring efficient production timelinesPoint of Contact (POC): Serve as the primary liaison for upstream communications from Product Development, Bill of Materials (BOM), Pre-Press, Topps Project Management, Auto/Relic Ops, and other relevant vendorsCommunication and Reporting: Provide regular updates on product progress to leadership during weekly executive updatesData savvy: Evaluate and drive the collection of data to support testing activities and drive meaningful insights, including a working knowledge of supporting data toolsStrong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams and external vendorsDetail-oriented with a focus on meeting deadlines and ensuring quality standardsAbility to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment, prioritizing tasks effectively to achieve project goalsProven project management experience (PMP, Agile, or Lean certification preferred)Spanish & English proficiency preferred (although Spanish language not necessary)Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite – Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, BIFamiliarity with Six Sigma process improvement is a plusFamiliarity with manufacturing processes in the context of sports trading cards or similar products is a plusJ-18808-Ljbffr