Director for Experience Design & Creative

The University of Texas at Austin • Austin, UT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

University Events & Experience is seeking a highly creative, experienced professional to help shape and deliver some of The University of Texas at Austin’s most visible experiences. The Director for Experience Design & Creative will bring original ideas, strong visual judgment and sophisticated understanding of how people experience a space, event or environment. This person will develop creative concepts and lead them through execution, working across live events, environments, installations, guest experiences and special projects. This is not a traditional event planning role. We are looking for someone who thinks creatively and visually, understands hospitality and experience, and can turn an idea into something people can see, feel and remember.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in experiential design, creative direction, environmental design, live experiences, hospitality, events or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing original creative concepts and carrying them through production and execution.
• Strong portfolio showing sophisticated experiential, environmental or live work.
• Excellent visual judgement and a strong understanding of composition, materials, color, scale and spatial experience.
• Experience directing vendors, fabricators, designers and other creative partners.
• Understanding of live production and the practical realities of bringing creative concepts to life.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, budgets and timelines.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative, flexible and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment with high expectations and significant visibility.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
• The University Development Office does not sponsor work visas for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high-profile events, major brands, luxury hospitality, entertainment, cultural institutions or other highly designed guest experiences.
• Experience working on environmental or spatial design projects.
• Experience managing significant production budgets and external creative teams.
• Familiarity with the Austin and Texas creative, production and hospitality communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop original concepts for events, environments, installations and special experiences.
• Bring a strong creative point of view and actively contribute ideas rather than simply executing an established direction.
• Translate institutional priorities, stories and messages into compelling physical and live experiences.
• Create and communicate concepts through mood boards, reference imagery, sketches, decks and other visual tools.
• Holistically design the guest journey, from invitation and arrival through environment, program and departure.
• Shape the visual and experiential elements of a project, including scenic design, furnishings, lighting, graphics, signage, florals, entertainment, food and beverage, hospitality, video and other content.
• Consider how individual elements work together to create a cohesive experience.
• Bring a high level of taste and attention to detail to every project.
• Move creative concepts from initial idea through design, production, installation and final execution.
• Develop clear creative direction that internal teams, vendors, fabricators and production partners can execute.
• Source and direct outside creative partners, fabricators, rental companies and specialty vendors.
• Review designs, samples, materials and production details to ensure the final product reflects the approved creative direction.
• Balance creative ambition with budget, timeline, operational requirements and feasibility.
• Partner closely with the Chief Experience Office and University Events & Experience team on the University’s highest-profile experiences and special projects.
• Collaborate with event producers, project managers, designers, communications teams and campus partners.
• Work across events, environments, brand expression and other physical manifestations of the University experience.
• Provide creative direction and leadership across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Help establish a consistent level of quality across University Events & Experience.
• Identify new ideas, vendors, materials, technologies and approaches that can elevate the work.
• Bring inspiration from hospitality, luxury experiences, entertainment, cultural institutions, retail, architecture, design and other relevant industries.
• Provide thoughtful, direct creative feedback throughout the development and production process.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.
• Professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director