Creative Director, Brand Events
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Van Wyck & Van Wyck is a highly regarded environmental design and event production firm with headquarters in New York City. We produce private celebrations ranging from stunning weddings on beaches and mountaintops to international destination experiences and not-for-profit events.
www.vanwyck.net
Workshop designs and produces engaging events that communicate a brand’s message. We build experiences that create compelling content, heighten brand loyalty and influence purchase behavior.
www.workshopworldwide.com
Our two sister companies are distinguished by innovative design and an unsurpassed level of service, with over 20 years of experience in the field. We are a dynamic, creative and growth-oriented team with incredibly high production values.
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
Van Wyck & Van Wyck and Workshop are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision-making, marital status, partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, arrest or conviction record, genetic information or predisposition, military or veteran status, lawful source of income, unemployment status, height or weight, hair texture or protective hairstyles, credit history, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
