Creative Director, Brand Events

POSITION OVERVIEW

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Creative Leadership and Design Direction

• 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

Team Management and Collaboration

• 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

Production and Technical Execution

• 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

Presentations and Client Development

• 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

PAY & BENEFITS AT WORKSHOP

This position has an annual base salary range of $150,000 to $225,000. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, education and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for other benefits that impact overall compensation or total rewards. Other benefits include:

Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy flexible, discretionary PTO to balance your work and personal life, with manager approval and proper coverage

Health Insurance: Comprehensive health benefits include medical, dental and vision plans, with significant company contributions to premiums and options for FSA or HSA

One Medical and Talkspace Memberships: Complimentary memberships providing primary care and mental health support

401(k) Retirement Plan: Participate in a retirement savings plan with pre-tax and Roth options after six months of employment with a discretionary company match

Cell Phone Stipend: Receive a $100 monthly phone reimbursement after three months of employment

Commuter Benefits: Take advantage of our pre-tax commuter benefits program to save on transit and parking expenses

Gym Reimbursement: Stay fit with a $400 annual gym reimbursement, available to those enrolled in our health insurance plan

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

Candidates must possess the following qualities:

• 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

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• 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