Creative Director - Sports and Entertainment

SUMMARY

DI exists to relieve the world of mediocre experiences and to create remarkable ones. Our people make the remarkable possible through an unwavering display of uncommon commitment every day.

Reporting directly to an assigned Executive Creative Director, the Creative Director works closely with clients to strategize, define, and create original strategies and ideas during the ideation process.  Applying their expert knowledge of design processes, trends, and strategy, combined with research, this role will contribute by problem solving and presenting the right solution for each unique client. The CD Is an essential leader and role model with Creative Studio leadership.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS may include but are not limited to:

• A proven ability to deliver bold, strategic, and innovative creative solutions that elevate fan experiences and brand storytelling within the dynamic, high-energy world of sports and entertainment.
• Confidence and clarity in leading strategic conversations, contributing meaningfully in client meetings, and presenting high-impact creative work that drives results.
• Have a demonstrated business acumen, ability to be a team player, ease in expressing genuine humility, and be able to quickly establish an information hierarchy.
• A strong portfolio of work that shows your conceptual chops and proves you're passionate about work that spans the modern consumer journey and showcases integrated campaigns (big ideas to execution).
• Excellent skills as a lead collaborator and active listener, taking clients on the journey of how we got to our recommendation, with an ability to defend our work without being defensive about our work.
• The stamina and dedication to lead multi-year projects while building and maintaining strong client relationships—earning trust as a long-term strategic and creative advisor.
• A passion for using creativity to solve real business challenges, with the confidence to engage directly with C-suite executives and effectively champion bold, strategic ideas.
• Your commitment to caring about client challenges and your “figure it out” qualities are off the charts, and you believe your best work is ahead of you.
• Strong presentation, communication, and story-telling skills with an ability to sell concepts and ideas.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to implement new and better ways of thinking and problem solving.
• A commitment to holding project teams accountable for executing and delivering quality solutions efficiently within project deadlines, ensuring direction and feedback from project leadership is incorporated.
• An ability to QA/QC solutions throughout a variety of Design Phases: Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development and Construction Documentation.
• Partner with engineering, fabrication, and digital teams to ensure the feasibility of ideas and a seamless transition from concept through execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment to uphold the creative vision across all phases of the project—including physical build, content development, and technology integration.
• Stay current on industry innovations, emerging technologies, and competitor strategies, and proactively bring those insights into DI’s creative process.
• A focus that ensures deadlines are being met and the work is within client expectations.
• An ability to contribute to project plans while considering available resources and project budgets.
• A flexible travel schedule and ability to travel on short notice based on project and client needs.
• Ability to articulate and share information and knowledge as a DI subject matter expert.
• An understanding and demonstration of what it takes to champion, mentor, and support the success of Creative Studio team members, including documentation of performance expectations and challenges.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a strong proficiency with design programs (Adobe Suite), research skills (for storytelling), presentation building (Google Slides and/or Powerpoint/Keynote), and digital collaboration tools (Miro and/or Figma)
• An enthusiasm for consistently sharing skills and knowledge to support direct reports and Creative Studio team members
• Ability to give direction and constructive critique and document situations as needed
• Is consistently and proactively an exemplary team player and role model, especially during moments of adversity
• Maintains quality control of design documents by all Creative Studio team members
• Consistently demonstrates development of personal time management and multi-tasking skills and provides direction and assistance to team members to do the same
• Demonstrates independent thinking, solutions and autonomy with day-to-day tasks, and project assignments
• Possess a knowledge of physical design and content development methods relevant to the overall design process
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship management skills
• Experience with business development, estimating, writing proposals and creative briefs
• Actively contributes to recruiting and team development for Creative Studio in collaboration with designated People Team members
• Champion and contribute to Creative Studio vision plans

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.F.A) or Associate Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, or related field
• At least 10 years’ experience in a creative leadership role managing a team, along with experience as creative lead on direct client/strategic accounts
• Experience working within the sports and entertainment category—including arenas, stadiums, live events, and fan destinations—is strongly preferred.
• Excellent time management skills and critical attention to detail at all times
• Proven written and verbal communication skills with clients and team members, including delivery of constructive feedback as neede
• Sound judgement, business sensibility, and discretion required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, climb, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• Employee must be able to talk and hear

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Due to our onsite Fabrication process, the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions.

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR TEAM?

Permission to play at DI starts with the ability to be a team player, possess a positive attitude while under a tight deadline and demonstrate an uncommon commitment to your work. Please visit our website (www.dimin.com) to see some of the amazing work we do!

This is a salary (exempt) position. DI offers a full benefit package including Medical, Dental and Vision insurance along with Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance and Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity. Additionally, we offer a 401(k) with a match, Health Savings Account match, Paid Time Off (PTO), 7 paid holidays plus an employee chosen Floating Holiday annually, and paid Parental Leave.

In 2018, DI incorporated the Great Game of Business principles into the way we do things. The program is designed to create a business of business people, provide transparency into company performance and directly tie daily behavior to impact DIs performance. GGOB allows for the potential of quarterly bonuses as company goals are achieved.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements. No phone calls please. For more information about working at DI and a full list of available opportunities, please visit https://dimin.com/about/careers.