Creative Director, Brand Events

Van Wyck & Van Wyck•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Workshop is seeking a Creative Director to lead our brand team and shape the creative direction of our company. This is a leadership role for a seasoned event design professional who brings both visionary thinking and hands-on production excellence. The Creative Director will set the creative standard for brand events, mentor and manage a team of designers and collaborate closely with Project Managers and Designers to bring concepts from ideation through on-site execution. The ideal candidate is an accomplished event designer with deep production experience who is ready to step into a creative leadership role. This is not a position for someone who has moved away from designing. We are looking for a leader who has an in-office first mentality, remains closely connected to the work, contributes original ideas and maintains rigorous quality control through every phase of a project. Seven to ten years of experience in event design or a closely related creative field is expected, with at least five years working as an event designer in a hands-on capacity. Agency or production company experience is strongly preferred over in-house brand roles.

Requirements

Seven to ten years of experience in event design, experiential production or a closely related creative field
Minimum five years of hands-on event design experience with direct responsibility for concept development and on-site execution — event design experience is non-negotiable
Demonstrated experience managing a team of designers, including hiring, performance management and terminations
Strong personal aesthetic with the ability to define and hold a creative point of view across complex, multi-element projects
Ability to communicate visually and iteratively, using imagery, sketches and digital tools to develop and share ideas throughout the design process
Hands-on production experience, including directing on-site execution
Agency or production company background strongly preferred; brand-side or in-house experience alone is not sufficient
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook)
Clear, professional communication skills, written and verbal
Willingness to work flexible hours as events require and travel for site visits and on-site execution

Nice To Haves

Experience with SketchUp, 3D rendering tools or other visual design software used to develop and present spatial concepts
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop
Background in floral design, lighting design, interior or architectural design or theater set design
Familiarity with floor plan development, including basic CAD or AutoCAD experience
Experience developing ideas and creative concepts outside of active client projects for future use
A history of working closely alongside production and project management teams, not separately from them
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interior design, architecture, event design or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

Responsibilities

Set and maintain the creative vision and aesthetic standards for all Workshop projects
Lead concept development from early ideation through final execution, contributing original ideas at every stage
Ensure quality control across all design deliverables and on-site installations
Develop design concepts independently and in collaboration with the wider team, including concepts not tied to active projects that can be developed for future use
Stay ahead of emerging trends across design, architecture, fashion, interiors, art and experiential environments
Communicate design intent clearly and compellingly through imagery, renderings and visual presentations
Lead, manage and mentor a team of designers with varied backgrounds and skill sets
Own the full employee lifecycle for the design team, including hiring, onboarding, performance management and, when necessary, termination
Conduct design reviews and provide constructive feedback that supports each designer’s growth
Assess team capabilities and define clear workflows that maximize individual strengths
Collaborate closely with Project Managers and the production team to align creative and logistical execution
Train designers in Workshop and Van Wyck aesthetic standards, production practices and studio culture
Contribute to the creative culture of the studio by modeling curiosity, rigor and generosity
Direct on-site creative execution, serving as the lead creative voice from load-in through strike
Develop floor plans, elevations, renderings and production drawings that translate concept into buildable reality
Work with Project Managers and Designers to develop accurate design budgets and ensure creative solutions are cost-effective
Source, procure and direct vendors including fabricators, craftspeople, lighting designers, rental houses and specialty suppliers
Oversee production of custom Workshop inventory, furniture and soft goods as needed
Create compelling design presentations for new business pitches and active client projects
Communicate creative concepts through strong visual storytelling, curated imagery and written concept narratives
Contribute to the development of Workshop’s broader creative identity and new business positioning