Creative Director IV, Experiential Events [AQ-12110]

About the Role

Aquent is partnering with a leading global professional services organization to find a visionary leader who will craft compelling narratives and bring them to life through groundbreaking experiential events. In this role, you will set and implement the creative strategy and vision for large signature events, brand activations, and custom campaigns, delivering high-level design solutions and pitching innovative concepts to senior executives and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop groundbreaking creative ideas for experiential events, branded activations, and select sponsorships.
• Set and implement the creative strategy, direction, and vision for high-level projects and events, ensuring consistent creative quality.
• Lead strategic creative sessions to develop compelling stories and multifaceted concepts aligned with core business objectives.
• Translate client objectives into clear strategies by crafting powerful messages, stories, and concepts for each event.
• Proactively pitch innovative work with creative thinking, thorough research, and compelling visual storytelling.
• Guide the team in creating forward-thinking creative strategies, briefs, and storyboards that align with current event trends.
• Facilitate dynamic creative brainstorming sessions, introducing innovative perspectives to continually elevate brand and event experiences.
• Mentor and coach team members, fostering their creative development and growth.
• Collaborate with management to identify, develop, and promote team skills and services.
• Drive creative quality and consistency across all experiential event support.
• Continuously seek new opportunities to drive innovation and introduce fresh ways of thinking.

Requirements

• A strong creative, digital, and event portfolio demonstrating strategic ideas and visual storytelling across varying experiential touchpoints in a B2B environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, digital design, or a related creative discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Eight years of event experience as a Creative Director or as a Creative Director in a full-service event agency.
• Comprehensive knowledge of event and creative industry practices, digital trends, innovation, and technology.
• Advanced creative conceptual design skills with the ability to critically evaluate colleagues’ concepts.
• Proven ability to concept and develop outstanding creative with teams, effectively sell ideas to clients, and adapt at every step of the process.
• Strong experience pitching concepts and big ideas with clear strategic intent, simplifying business complexities for diverse audiences.
• Strong influencer, collaborator, and consensus builder with excellent client relationship-building and teaming skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing designers in a virtual environment, focusing on conceptual and presentation skills, and providing constructive written feedback for growth.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire a creative team, delegate effectively, and foster strong teamwork.
• Passion for continuous learning, staying current with design trends, and effectively sharing knowledge.
• Superb communication and presentation skills, active listening, and diplomacy when working with team members and business partners.
• Agility in a fast-paced environment while producing quality work in high-pressure situations.
• Advanced knowledge of graphics software tools including Adobe Creative Suite, proficiency in Microsoft Office including PowerPoint, working in both a PC and Mac environment.
• Ability to travel onsite to support events.

Benefits

Eligible talent through Aquent Talent get access to amazing benefits including:

• Subsidized health, vision, and dental plans.
• Paid sick leave.
• Retirement plans with a match.
• Free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.