Associate Design Director, Experiential

Daniel J. Edelman Holdings; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401K

Paid time off

Travel assistance

Wellness programming

Job summary

Daniel J. Edelman Holdings is seeking an Associate Design Director to lead the Experiential Design team, shaping live-event experiences from concept to final build. You will drive ideation, spatial design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to deliver immersive environments that reflect culture and client objectives.

The role emphasizes craft, communication, and attention to detail, with responsibility across physical and digital touchpoints and close work with producers and account managers.

Qualifications

• 7-9 years in experiential, exhibition or spatial design.
• Degree or substantial experience in Architecture, Interior or related field.
• Portfolio showing brand experiences from concept to execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development and execution of spatial and 3D design elements on projects.
• Guide internal teams and designers to create impactful live-event experiences.
• Collaborate with graphic, spatial design, art direction and account teams.

Skills

Experiential design

Spatial design

3D modeling

Brand experience

Creative direction

Education

Architecture/Interior/Design degree

Tools

SketchUp

Rhino

Cinema 4D

2D drafting

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. Consistent with this approach, we hire the best qualified candidates for all positions.

The Role and What You'll Do:

We are seeking a talented Associate Design Director, strong on craft and communication skills, to join our Experien tial Design team. As an Associate Design Director, you will help lead internal teams and designers to create impactful live-event experiences that bring creative ideas to life.

You will be responsible for the ideation & creation of spatial design projects across 2D and 3D elements, from conceptual design and renders , to furniture, decor and final build drawing review. This role requires a passion for spatial design, immersive experiences, a sharp eye for attention to detail, and someone who is tapped in to design trends, technology, and culture.

Responsibilities:

• Extremely high caliber craftsperson leading the creative development and execution of all spatial and 3D design elements on a project (medium to large scale )
• Breadth as a designer, with strong understanding and capabilities across several design domains such as user journeys, moodboards , sketches, accurate 3D models, polished renderings etc
• Lead in the design development and execution of experiential elements including physical environments, interactive installations, and digital components
• Ideate brand ideas and design solutions that are relevant to consumers, culture and business objectives - push design team forward by bringing strong ideas to the table
• Help lead an integrated design team, collaborating with graphic designers, spatial designers, art directors and writers, as well as with a larger team of Producers and Account Managers.
• Deliver and present design deliverables to clients and teams, articulating design decisions thoughtfully and incorporation feedback in to design revisions
• Lead site visits and surveys to gather photos, dimensions and other info needed for proper site selection and design implementation
• Partner with production to work with fabrication vendors on build drawings, material selections, cost revisions, shop visits etc
• Manage design efforts during load-ins and installs, ensuring the execution aligns with design specifications across physical and digital touchpoints
• Lead the vision and sourcing of props, furniture, and decor, ensuring alignment with design concepts and project requirements
• Proactive multi-tasker, self-propelled - does not wait for instructions and can ask questions proactively when clear guidance is needed

Qualifications:

• 7-9 years experience working in experiential, exhibition design or spatial design
• Degree or robust experience in Architecture, Interior Design, Environmental/Exhibition Design, Graphic Design or related field.
• Portfolio of spatial design work where you've had substantial hands on background developing brand experiences , from conception to execution
• Strong graphic design lens a must
• Acute attention to detail, highly organized, and diligent in follow-through.
• Expert in 3d modeling software such as Sketchup, Rhino , Cinema 4d etc
• Confident in 2D drafting language and technical drawings with ability to review and redline said drawings in prep for fabrication
• Great planner who constantly thinks ahead about the needs of the team, the account and the client
• Ability to communicate spatial designs and materials effectively by using various mediums including sketches, comps or rend e ring software
• Strong skills in Adobe Photoshop , Illustrator & other relevant Creative Suite tools
• Must be interested in working on a range of events, from premium hospitality experiences to sports and entertainment activations
• Must have a high taste level for materials, design language, merch, decor etc
• Figma knowledge a plus
• Strong team player with excellent collaboration skills
• Strong creative and problem-solving skills combined with attention to detail
• Exceptional time management, multitasking, and managing multiple projects in a fast - pace d environment
• Confident in presenting work internally and externally; excellent communication skills

$86,000 - $138,000 per year

An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of DJEH's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and region-specific benefits.

DJEH offers a wide range of benefits:

• medical and dental insurance
• vision
• 401K
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• paid time off
• travel assistance
• wellness programing

DJEH is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and believes in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. If you require a reasonable accommodation in any part of the employment process, please let us know.