Associate Design Director, Experiential

Edelman Smithfield; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision

401K

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Travel assistance

Wellness programing

Job summary

Edelman Smithfield is seeking an Associate Design Director to lead our Experiential Design team in creating impactful live-event experiences across 2D and 3D elements.

You will ideate, develop, and execute spatial designs from concept to final build, collaborating with writers, designers, producers and clients to deliver compelling brand experiences.

Qualifications

• 7–9 years in experiential, exhibition or spatial design.
• Degree or robust experience in Architecture, Interior, Environmental/Exhibition, or Graphic Design.
• Portfolio showing brand experiences from concept to execution.
• Strong graphic design lens.
• Attention to detail and highly organized.
• Proficient in 3D modeling: SketchUp, Rhino, Cinema 4D.
• 2D drafting and fabrication prep drawings.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Interest in premium hospitality, sports and entertainment events.
• High taste level for materials, merch, decor; Figma a plus.
• Strong team player and time management.
• Confident presenting work internally and externally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development and execution of spatial and 3D design elements on large-scale projects.
• Develop concepts across user journeys, moodboards, sketches, and accurate 3D models.
• Lead experiential elements including physical environments, interactive installations, and digital components.
• Ideate brand ideas and design solutions aligned with culture and business objectives.
• Collaborate with graphic, spatial designers, art directors, writers, producers and account managers.
• Present design deliverables to clients and teams, incorporating feedback.
• Lead site visits and surveys for design implementation.
• Partner with production and fabricators on build drawings and material selections.
• Manage design during load-ins and installs to ensure alignment with specs.
• Source props, furniture and decor; ensure alignment with concepts and requirements.
• Proactively multi-task and seek guidance when needed.

Skills

3D modeling

SketchUp

Rhino

Cinema 4D

2D drafting

Renderings

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Figma

Education

Architecture/Interior/Environmental/Exhibition/Graphic Design degree or equivalent

Tools

3D modeling software

Sketchup

Rhino

Cinema 4D

Adobe CS

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 Experiential 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 4detc
• 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 rendering 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-paced environment
• Confident in presenting work internally and externally; excellent communication skills

$86,000 - $138,000 per year #LI-IR1

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.

DJH offers a wide range of benefits: medical and dental insurance, vision, 401K, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off, travel assistance and wellness programing.

DJH 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.

About us

It started with one man’s passion to make an impact through stories… 70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected. We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values. We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work— taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe. The relentless pursuit of excellence The freedom to be constantly curious The courage to do the right thing The commitment to positively impact society. We grow our people We invite and celebrate differences Our reputation is our brand We’re global, yet local We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business.

Join our talent community to receive the latest DJE Holdings news and content, and to be notified when job openings match your skills and experience.