Creative Director (Experiential)

Creative Director Experiential Events

Our business solutions client is looking for a Creative Director to join their team! This is a 3-6 month, hybrid role with a strong potential to extend and/or convert to full time. Some travel required (20 - 40%). CST or EST work hours preferred.

Candidates must be in one of these locations and agree to a hybrid work arrangement (Onsite on Day 1 and as required by business needs) - Atlanta, Cleveland, Austin, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando or St. Louis.

We are looking for a Creative Director with a strong background in experiential events to lead our team in the concepting and development of marketing ideas for large signature events, brand activations, and custom campaigns. This role is ideal for someone passionate about storytelling and bringing narratives to life in live B2B client environments.

Responsibilities

As the Creative Director, you will set and implement the creative strategy and vision, provide high-level design solutions for our client-colleagues and client-facing teams, confidently pitch to senior client executives and stakeholders, and lead meetings that inspire creative team members to deliver new and innovative solutions. Apply big picture thinking to consider every aspect of the attendee experience, to create and shape designs that result in a cohesive and impactful event experience that resonate with our audience.

• Lead and develop creative ideas for experiential events, branded activations, and select sponsorships.
• Set and implement the creative strategy, direction, and vision for high-level projects and events, ensuring the maintenance of creative quality and consistency in our approach.
• Lead creative strategy sessions to develop the story and multifaceted concepts that align with core business objectives.
• Translate client objectives into clear strategies by crafting compelling messages, stories, and concepts for each event.
• Proactively pitch work with creative thinking, research and visual storytelling.
• Guide the team in creating forward-thinking creative strategies, briefs, and storyboards that align with current event trends.
• Facilitate creative brainstorming sessions, introducing innovative perspectives to continually elevate our brand and event experiences.
• Mentor and coach team members in their creative development.
• Collaborate with management team to identify, develop, and promote team skills and services.
• Drive creative quality and consistency across experiential event support.
• Look for new opportunities to drive innovation and bring new ways of thinking.

Qualifications

• Strong creative, digital and event portfolio demonstrating strategic ideas and visual storytelling across varying experiential touchpoints in a B2B environment.
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, digital design or related creative discipline or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of event experience as a Creative Director or as a CD in a full-service event agency.
• Advanced knowledge with graphics software tools including Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proficiency in Workfront and Microsoft Office (including PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams) working in both a PC and Mac environment.
• Familiarity with 3D software and AI creative workflows.
• Comprehensive knowledge in event and creative industry practices, digital trends, innovation and technology.
• Advanced creative conceptual design skills with ability to critique colleagues' concepts.
• Ability to concept and develop outstanding creative with the teams, sell it to clients, and adapt at every step along the way.
• Strong experience pitching concepts/ big ideas clearly with strategic intent and the ability to simplify business complexities.
• Strong influencer, collaborator and consensus builder with excellent client relationship-building and teaming skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing designers, in a virtual environment, in conceptual and presentation skills and providing critiques and constructive written feedback for growth and development.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a creative team, delegate and team effectively.
• Passion for continuous learning, keeping current with design trends and effectively sharing knowledge.
• Superb communication and presentation skills, active listening and diplomacy when working with team members and business partners.
• Agility in a fast-paced environment while producing quality work in high-pressure situations.
• Able to travel onsite to support events.

In this position, you may have access to client or customer systems, confidential and/or proprietary information or data, including financial information. This position is onsite and requires you to work closely with other individuals in a collaborative team environment.

Key skills/competency

• Creative Direction
• Experiential Marketing
• Event Design
• Brand Activation
• Creative Strategy
• Visual Storytelling
• Client Pitching
• Team Leadership
• Adobe Creative Suite
• B2B Marketing