CREATIVE DIRECTOR (BRAND EVENTS)

New York, NY | Full-Time | In-Person | 25% Travel

POSITION OVERVIEW

Workshop is seeking a Creative Director to lead the creative vision and execution of our brand events and experiential work. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for an accomplished event designer who operates confidently at the intersection of design, storytelling, and production.

The Creative Director will set the creative standard for Workshop projects, lead original concept development, mentor and manage a growing design team, and guide work from the initial brief through installation and final execution. This person will partner closely with producers, clients, fabricators, craftspeople, and specialty collaborators to make ambitious ideas both distinctive and buildable.

The strongest candidates combine a clear creative point of view with thoughtful leadership, production fluency, and sound judgment. They remain close to the work, communicate design intent with clarity, and understand that memorable experiences depend on both imagination and disciplined execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Creative Leadership and Design Direction

• Set and maintain the creative vision and aesthetic standards for Workshop's brand events practice.
• Lead concept development from the initial brief through final execution, contributing original ideas at every stage.
• Translate each client's story, audience, and objectives into concepts that are original, memorable, and specific to the experience.
• Shape the guest journey through space, storytelling, materials, lighting, scale, and detail.
• Create and direct presentations, renderings, floor plans, elevations, and visual materials that communicate design intent with clarity and confidence.
• Stay engaged with developments across design, architecture, fashion, interiors, art, technology, and experiential environments.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of designers with varied backgrounds and skill sets.
• Establish clear creative standards, review processes, workflows, and expectations for quality.
• Conduct design reviews and provide thoughtful, direct feedback that strengthens both the work and the individual.
• Assess team capabilities, allocate creative resources, and create opportunities for growth.
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance development, and long-term team planning.

Production and Technical Execution

• Oversee multiple creative projects from concept through installation while maintaining quality across concurrent timelines.
• Direct on-site creative execution and serve as the lead creative voice from load-in through strike.
• Translate concepts into buildable realities through floor plans, elevations, renderings, production drawings, material selections, and clear documentation.
• Partner with Project Managers and Designers to develop design budgets, protect the concept, and make informed decisions about cost, schedule, and production realities.
• Source, select, and direct fabricators, craftspeople, lighting designers, rental houses, and specialty suppliers.
• Anticipate challenges early and guide solutions before they affect quality, schedule, budget, or the client experience.

Client Leadership and Business Development

• Present creative concepts confidently to clients, executive stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Translate feedback into thoughtful refinements while protecting the strength and coherence of the original idea.
• Build trusted client relationships through responsiveness, professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Lead creative presentations for active projects, pitches, and new business opportunities.
• Help shape Workshop's creative identity, point of view, and reputation within the experiential events industry.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Within the first year, the Creative Director will:

• Earn trust as the creative leader for Workshop's brand events practice.
• Deliver original work that reflects Workshop's standards and can be executed with rigor.
• Strengthen and develop the design team through clear direction, constructive feedback, and consistent expectations.
• Improve creative workflows and communication across design, production, and project management.
• Contribute meaningfully to Workshop's creative evolution and new business growth.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• Seven to ten years of experience in event design, experiential design, environmental design, or a closely related creative discipline, including at least five years with direct, hands-on responsibility for concept development, production, installation, and on-site execution, gained in an event design studio, experiential agency, production company, or similarly rigorous creative environment.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing creative professionals with different backgrounds and skill levels.
• A strong personal aesthetic and the ability to define and hold a creative point of view across complex, multi-element projects.
• Deep working knowledge of spatial design, fabrication, materials, finishes, lighting, production, and guest experience.
• Experience managing creative timelines, reviews, approvals, priorities, and multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong presentation skills, written and verbal, including proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and experience presenting creative work to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work extended hours when events require it and willingness to travel for site visits, installations, and events.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with several of the following is strongly preferred:

• Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• SketchUp or other 3D rendering software.
• AutoCAD, Vectorworks, or comparable drafting software.
• Developing floor plans, elevations, renderings, and production drawings.
• Complementary experience in architecture, interior design, theater, scenic design, lighting, exhibition design, or floral design.

Direct event design experience is essential. We welcome candidates whose broader creative backgrounds deepen the perspective, technical fluency, and point of view they bring to the work.

PAY AND BENEFITS AT WORKSHOP

This position has an annual base salary range of $175,000 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.

We want talented people to build meaningful, long-term careers here. Our benefits support health, wellbeing and professional growth.

Benefits include:

• Discretionary PTO policy
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• FSA and HSA options
• Retirement benefit with discretionary employer match
• One Medical and Talkspace memberships
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Annual gym reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• Team building and volunteer opportunities
• Dog-friendly office in the heart of Chelsea