Director for Experience Design & Creative

The University of Texas at Austin; Utah; On-site; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Director for Experience Design & Creative to shape and deliver high-visibility guest experiences on the UT Austin campus. This on-site role requires turning ideas into memorable environments and events across multiple platforms.

You will lead creative direction, manage vendors, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate the guest journey, all while balancing budgets and timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience.
• At least 8 years in experiential design, creative direction or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop original creative concepts and execute them.
• Strong portfolio showing sophisticated experiential or live work.
• Excellent visual judgment and knowledge of materials, color and space.
• Experience directing vendors, fabricators, and partners.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects, budgets and timelines.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop original creative concepts for events and experiences.
• Lead concepts through design, production, and on-site execution.
• Coordinate with vendors, fabricators, and production partners.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure cohesive guest experiences.
• Raise the creative standard across University Events & Experience.
• Balance creativity with budgets and timelines.

Skills

Creative direction

Portfolio

Communication skills

Collaboration

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Posting Title: Director for Experience Design & Creative -- Hiring Department: University Development Office -- Position Open To: All Applicants -- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 -- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA -- Earliest Start Date: Immediately -- Position Duration: Expected to Continue -- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: About The University of Texas at Austin What starts here changes the world. The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation. Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers. Learn more about UT’s mission and values and leadership.

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education. Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors. Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world.

Benefits

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services. Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

Purpose

University Events & Experience is seeking a highly creative, experienced professional to help shape and deliver some of The University of Texas at Austin’s most visible experiences. The Director for Experience Design & Creative will bring original ideas, strong visual judgment and sophisticated understanding of how people experience a space, event or environment. This person will develop creative concepts and lead them through execution, working across live events, environments, installations, guest experiences and special projects. This is not a traditional event planning role. We are looking for someone who thinks creatively and visually, understands hospitality and experience, and can turn an idea into something people can see, feel and remember.

Responsibilities

Develop Original Creative Concepts

Develop original concepts for events, environments, installations and special experiences. Bring a strong creative point of view and actively contribute ideas rather than simply executing an established direction. Translate institutional priorities, stories and messages into compelling physical and live experiences. Create and communicate concepts through mood boards, reference imagery, sketches, decks and other visual tools.

Design the Full Experience

This holistically about the guest journey, from invitation and arrival through environment, program and departure. Shape the visual and experiential elements of a project, including scenic design, furnishings, lighting, graphics, signage, florals, entertainment, food and beverage, hospitality, video and other content. Consider how individual elements work together to create a cohesive experience. Bring a high level of taste and attention to detail to every project. Take Ideas Through Execution

Move creative concepts from initial idea through design, production, installation and final execution. Develop clear creative direction that internal teams, vendors, fabricators and production partners can execute. Source and direct outside creative partners, fabricators, rental companies and specialty vendors. Review designs, samples, materials and production details to ensure the final product reflects the approved creative direction. Balance creative ambition with budget, timeline, operational requirements and feasibility.

Work Across the Experience Portfolio

Partner closely with the Chief Experience Office and University Events & Experience team on the University’s highest-profile experiences and special projects. Collaborate with event producers, project managers, designers, communications teams and campus partners. Work across events, environments, brand expression and other physical manifestations of the University experience. Provide creative direction and leadership across multiple projects simultaneously.

Raise the Creative Standard

Help establish a consistent level of quality across University Events & Experience. Identify new ideas, vendors, materials, technologies and approaches that can elevate the work. Bring inspiration from hospitality, luxury experiences, entertainment, cultural institutions, retail, architecture, design and other relevant industries. Provide thoughtful, direct creative feedback throughout the development and production process. Additional duties as assigned.

Salary

$110,000.00+ depending on qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in experiential design, creative direction, environmental design, live experiences, hospitality, events or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing original creative concepts and carrying them through production and execution.
• Strong portfolio showing sophisticated experiential, environmental or live work.
• Excellent visual judgement and a strong understanding of composition, materials, color, scale and spatial experience.
• Experience directing vendors, fabricators, designers and other creative partners.
• Understanding of live production and the practical realities of bringing creative concepts to life.
• Ability to manage multiple complex project, budgets and timelines.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative, flexible and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment with high expectations and significant visibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-profile events, major brands, luxury hospitality, entertainment, cultural institutions or other highly designed guest experiences.
• Experience working on environmental or spatial design projects.
• Experience managing significant production budgets and external creative teams.
• Familiarity with the Austin and Texas creative, production and hospitality communities.

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants must submit a portfolio or examples of relevant work demonstrating their role in concept development, creative direction and execution. We are especially interested in seeing work that demonstrates how you think, not simply the finished product.

Working Conditions

This is an on-site position (40 hours per week) and the schedule will vary based on university and department schedules, and with the types of events scheduled and operational functions. Work late evenings and some weekends for scheduled events. Hours are subject to change. Works in standard office conditions, in a shared office environment, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. May work in all weather conditions. Regular and consistent attendance is required in this job. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University Development Office does not sponsor work visas for this position. This position is based in Austin, Texas.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

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Comments and Inquiries

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For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone]. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus