Creative Associate

Access; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid community day off

Annual company retreat

Regional team outings

Cell phone stipend

401k with company match

Job summary

Access is seeking an entry-level Creative Associate in the San Diego area to support the Creative team in developing thoughtful, visually compelling proposals and deliverables. You will learn Access' systems, research trends, and collaborate with Sales and Creative leaders to bring client ideas to life.

You will help maintain vendor relationships, assist with vendor onboarding, and execute tasks across proposal development while learning scopes of work and negotiations.

Qualifications

• This is an entry-level role designed to build experience in creative development, proposal design, vendor sourcing, and event-focused sales and marketing.
• Support the Creative team in developing thoughtful, visually compelling proposals and other deliverables.
• Research current event and design trends, align with client goals, and collaborate with Sales and Creative leaders.

Responsibilities

• Learn to navigate proposal systems and use brand-aligned templates to create consistent, accurate deliverables.
• Research current event and design trends, visual styles, and creative inspiration aligned with client goals.
• Assist proposal development by assembling visual and written content and contributing to proposal sections as skills develop.

Skills

Proposal design

Vendor coordination

Research

Organization

Tools

Asana

Salesforce

Job description

Access Your Potential. Join us to create and deliver experiences that inspire people, spark connection, and bring imagination to life-while having a lot of fun doing it.

Access Your Potential. Join us to create and deliver experiences that inspire people, spark connection, and bring imagination to life-while having a lot of fun doing it.

We are seeking a Creative Associate based in the San Diego area!

About The Job

This is an entry-level role designed for someone looking to build their experience in creative development, proposal design, vendor sourcing, and event-focused sales and marketing.

As a Creative Associate at Access, you will support the Creative team in developing thoughtful, visually compelling proposals and other creative deliverables. You'll learn Access' creative systems and processes, research event and design trends, support vendor relationships, and collaborate closely with Sales and Creative leaders to bring client ideas to life.

What You'll Be Doing

• Learn to navigate proposal systems and use brand-aligned templates to create consistent, accurate deliverables.
• Research current event and design trends, visual styles, and creative inspiration aligned with client goals.
• Support proposal development by assembling visual and written content and contributing to proposal sections as your skills develop.
• Research and maintain information on approved suppliers, including capabilities, pricing, and contact details.
• Build relationships with vendor partners and support vendor onboarding and evaluation.
• Use systems such as Asana and Salesforce to stay organized, track projects, and maintain accurate supplier information.
• Collaborate across Creative and Sales on destination guides, FAMs, territory-specific projects, and other creative initiatives.
• Help manage project timelines, priorities, and workload to ensure projects are delivered on time.
• Learn the fundamentals of scopes of work, vendor negotiations, and supplier collaboration.
• Adapt to changing priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail, organization, and accountability.

About Access

Access is a destination management company that designs shared experiences for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. From intimate incentive trips to large-scale meetings, trainings, and sales-driven events, we bring people together through thoughtful design, smart sourcing, and seamless execution. Our work blends imagination with intention. We dream big, then we build it right.

About You

We know that there's no one in the world like you. And we know that you have a lot to offer the next company you work with. Below is a list of "nice-to-haves", but don't let those deter you from applying. Access believes that an inclusive team and culture is important. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Nice-to-haves

• Interest in event design, hospitality, destination management, marketing, or a related creative field.
• Strong visual eye with an interest in current design and event trends.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable managing multiple assignments and shifting priorities.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work across teams.
• Ability to take direction, ask questions, and apply feedback.
• Familiarity with project management or CRM platforms such as Asana or Salesforce is a plus.
• Interest in building relationships with vendors and supplier partners.

What Success Looks Like

• Producing accurate, polished, and brand-aligned creative work.
• Consistently meeting performance goals and project deadlines.
• Building strong knowledge of Access' creative processes, systems, vendors, and destinations.
• Demonstrating initiative and thoughtful problem-solving.
• Successfully completing required training and certifications.
• Collaborating effectively with Creative, Sales, and vendor partners.
• Maintaining a positive, adaptable approach as priorities shift.
• Consistently demonstrating the Access Values: Imagine First, Demand Integrity, Embody Excellence, Always Collaborate, and Service Obsession.

Why Access?

CULTURE & EXTRAS

• Certified as a Great Place to Work - 3 years in a row and counting!
• 55+ years in the industry!
• Women-owned and women-led
• Fun, creative, and supportive culture
• Focus on recognition and employee value - including annual and quarterly awards
• Paid day off to serve your local community
• Annual all-company retreat to connect, learn, and have fun together
• Annual qualifier-based incentive trip for top performers (certain departments eligible)
• Regional team outings
• Monthly companywide meetings to connect, learn, and celebrate wins

Compensation

• Highly competitive total compensation, including strong base salary and quarterly bonuses
• Very strong performance-based quarterly commission plans
• 401k with company match (eligible after 1 year - up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately
• Monthly cell phone stipend

WORK LIFE BALANCE

• Flexible schedule opportunities
• Generous PTO
• Sick days
• 9 full holidays
• 5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early
• 2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice
• ½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals)

HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND FAMILY

• Extensive menu of health plans to choose from
• Paid parental leave
• Pet insurance program
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Mentorship program
• "Masterclasses" in industry/department-specific topics
• State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools - including training
• Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development

Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].