Creative Director

ASTOUND is a global experiential powerhouse with three core verticals: Brand Experiences, Sports Experiences, and Immersive Entertainment. From trade shows and large-scale events to experience centers and IP-driven attractions, we create programs that combine creative excellence, operational discipline, and ROI-focused outcomes.

With over 200 employees, a 350,000 sq. ft. production facility, and execution in more than 40 countries, ASTOUND is defining what the modern experiential partner looks like. Now, in our 25th year, we are expanding into a growth engine for our clients—powered by AI, integrated creative, and next-gen content strategy—and for the business itself, driving both revenue and enterprise value.

WHO YOU ARE...
A visionary Creative Director who understands the power of memorable interactions and how to create compelling user journeys. You are an experienced leader with a passion for experiential design and a strong foundation in brand experience. You excel in client-facing environments, guiding teams to craft immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact.

JOB SUMMARY:

As the Creative Director - Experiential, you’ll lead our new business strategy while shaping and directing memorable brand interactions. Your role involves creating immersive experiences, developing trade show and event concepts, and ensuring that each experience is impactful and aligns with client objectives. You'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to deliver extraordinary experiential projects and set the standard for innovative brand engagements.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead New Business Strategy: Develop and execute strategies that position ASTOUND as a leader in experiential marketing, crafting approaches that prioritize user journeys and unforgettable brand experiences.
• Creative Ownership: Take full ownership of the creative brief, identifying gaps and uncovering the core problem. Lead ideation sessions and brainstorming with cross-functional teams, developing concepts that define the consumer journey and envisioning the environmental and spatial design. Craft these ideas into a cohesive, best-in-class presentation that combines copywriting, moodboards, renders, and storytelling to guide the client on a descriptive journey of the big idea.
• Client Engagement: Present ideas with confidence, capturing essential client insights and using them to build strong, winning pitches. Engage directly with clients to understand their vision and gather insights that shape the creative approach, ensuring alignment with their objectives.
• Design Direction: Translate vision and concepts into impactful design by leading and directing a team of 3D designers. Ensure that the space created is rooted in both creativity and practical feasibility, aligned with production realities and brand objectives.
• Trade Show and Exhibit Expertise: Bring expertise in trade show and exhibit design, leading the creative direction to develop dynamic and resourceful exhibit spaces. Apply strategic thinking to create engaging and smart trade show solutions that enhance the brand experience while maximizing impact within space and budget constraints.
• Team Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and manage a talented team to achieve creative excellence, fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of experiential design. Encourage skill development and promote an open, innovative environment.
• Immersive Experiences: Oversee the conceptualization and execution of trade shows and events, ensuring an engaging and cohesive experience for each audience.· Resourceful Design Approach: Exercise discernment in design decisions, knowing when to invest in bold, new builds and when to creatively utilize existing assets. This role values smart, impactful solutions over creating something entirely new every time.
• Industry Expertise: Stay informed on emerging trends, technology, and experiential design practices, particularly within immersive experiences, trade shows, and events. Apply this knowledge to create fresh, forward-thinking concepts that set ASTOUND apart.
• Bonus Skills: Knowledge of CAD and a background in architecture are valuable assets for this role, especially if you have a passion for detail and solving design challenges to bring big ideas to life.
• Ability to utilize 3DS Max and Unreal Engine alongside the 3D design team to create visually compelling and interactive experiences, bridging creative ideas with technical feasibility.

THE VALUES YOU ALIGN WITH:

As part of ASTOUND, you'll embody these values that drive our collective success:

• Steadfast Courage: Fearlessly take on challenges to achieve remarkable results.
• Unwavering Integrity: Uphold the highest ethical standards, valuing honesty and transparency.
• Boundless Creativity: Push boundaries with innovative ideas that surpass expectations.
• Unparalleled Service: Commit to excellence, creating unforgettable experiences.
• Insatiable Curiosity: Continuously learn, explore, and take risks.
• Constant Collaboration: Leverage diverse perspectives to deliver experiences that exceed the sum of their parts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong analytical and creative skills, with the ability to establish recommendations that drive clients’ business.
• Excellent presentation skills and leadership in client and internal meetings.
• Superior customer focus, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Team player who can interact effectively with staff at all levels of the company, clients’ organizations, and vendor partners.
• Experienced in working through conflict and issues, with the ability to make timely decisions and recommendations.

DESIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• BA/BS degree as a minimum requirement.
• 10+ years of experience in creative roles, with a proven track record in experiential design.
• Experiential Agency experience is a must.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in an agency setting.
• Demonstrated experience managing large client engagements or equivalent responsibilities.
• Experience in mentoring and developing teammates at various experience levels.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT:

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome talented individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Our goal is to ensure that every candidate is evaluated solely on their qualifications, merits, and potential to contribute meaningfully to our team and mission.