Lead Experiential Designer

Job Description

The position is a 6 month contract-to-hire Senior/Lead Experiential Designer role located remotely in PST hours. The compensation range is $45/hr - $55/hr W2. Benefits include health, dental, vision, and a 401K. Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead experiential design projects from concept to production and installation.
• Design retail environments, trade shows, events, pop-ups, and branded activations.
• Create sketches, mood boards, floor plans, environmental graphics, 3D renderings, and production-ready artwork.
• Develop presentations, material palettes, design rationales, signage, posters, and branded event materials.
• Present concepts and creative work during stakeholder and executive reviews.
• Serve as the Creative Director's right-hand creative partner and independently lead project workstreams.
• Manage multiple complex projects while maintaining timelines, quality, and stakeholder alignment.
• Collaborate with marketing, retail, events, product, construction, vendors, and fabricators.
• Review proofs, fabrication samples, materials, and production files for quality control.
• Participate in two creative reviews per week and other project meetings.
• Work 32-40 hours per week across four or five days, with availability for meetings from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

Minimum Requirements

• 5 years of professional experience in experiential design, environmental design, branded environments, retail design, trade show design, event design, or spatial design.
• Current or recent experience in a role such as Senior Experiential Designer, Experiential Design Lead, Environmental Designer, Retail Designer, Spatial Designer, Branded Environments Designer, or Senior Graphic Designer with significant 3D experiential work.
• Advanced, professional-level SketchUp experience; candidates must have used SketchUp to design environments, fixtures, booths, retail spaces, or event installations.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Extensive creative agency experience delivering experiential work for recognizable consumer, retail, lifestyle, apparel, education, or similarly design-forward brands.
• Portfolio must include end-to-end experiential projects such as trade shows, retail stores, pop-ups, branded events, exhibits, or activations.
• Experience producing both 2D graphic assets and 3D physical environments.
• Experience preparing production-ready artwork and files for print, fabrication, and installation.
• Working knowledge of materials, print production, signage, fabrication, proofs, and quality-control processes.
• Experience partnering directly with fabricators, production vendors, installers, or construction teams.
• Able to independently own multiple complex projects from concept through final execution.
• Strong presentation skills with experience presenting creative concepts and design rationale to senior leaders, executives, or clients.
• Strong verbal communication and visual storytelling skills.
• Able to receive direct creative feedback, revise work quickly, and remain objective about design decisions.
• Self-directed, proactive, highly organized, and comfortable working with limited oversight.
• Experience collaborating across marketing, events, retail, product, construction, and other cross-functional teams.
• Interest in or hands-on experience using generative AI tools within the creative process.
• Must be available for meetings and collaboration during PST business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in both creative agency and in-house corporate environments.
• Experience supporting major consumer brands with large-scale experiential campaigns.
• Proficiency with Figma, FigJam, Microsoft Office, Adobe Firefly, or similar AI design tools.
• Experience designing spaces or experiences for children, families, teachers, or education-focused audiences.
• Passion for education, children, and engaging learning environments.

Location

Located near Portland, Oregon, or Long Beach, California.