Creative Director

About Pinch Creative

As an immersive design studio, we’re in the business of storytelling, bringing brands to life through the senses.

From the outside, we’re a creative powerhouse, pairing strategic design with production expertise to flawlessly execute next level experiences. Inside, we’re a radically compassionate company, burning down traditional agency norms by centering people and giving creativity the space and support to thrive. We value emotion over information and people over profits, tenets that permeate every project we unleash on the world.

We spark curiosity, foster community, and inspire action with the potency of a pinch.

Position Overview

The Creative Director (CD) is a visionary leader responsible for shaping the creative direction of immersive brand experiences across live events, activations, installations, and integrated experiences. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on design leadership, guiding teams and clients to deliver innovative, emotionally resonant work that connects with audiences.

The Creative Director will inspire, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary creative team while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking culture. Working closely with clients and internal partners, the CD will translate brand strategy into impactful creative solutions that elevate customer journeys and drive measurable results across diverse experiences-from trade shows and product launches to lifestyle events, conferences, and large-scale entertainment.

Creative Leadership & Team Management

• Provide day-to-day supervision, mentorship, and direction for a team of 1-4 direct reports, fostering growth and long-term career development
• Inspire, coach, and challenge creative teams to deliver innovative, award-winning work that meets the highest standards of quality
• Establish best practices and agency standards, ensuring consistency, accountability, and leadership in experiential marketing
• Effectively manage team workload, set clear priorities, and maintain focus under tight deadlines
• Identify areas for team growth, recruit and hire additional resources as needed, and build a collaborative, high-performing studio culture

Creative Strategy & Execution

• Translate client brands into compelling, interactive experiences across events, activations, and environments
• Lead the development of innovative concepts and creative solutions grounded in sound strategy and brand insights
• Guide concept development through sketches, mood boards, layouts, 2D/3D renders, mock-ups, and presentations
• Ensure all creative outputs-design, copy, storytelling, and execution-are strategically aligned, on-brand, and feasible within budget and production parameters
• Partner with production teams to vet ideas, evaluate feasibility, and adjust creative while maintaining strategic integrity
• Advocate for brand standards while knowing when to push boundaries with fresh, original approaches

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Act as a trusted creative partner to clients, building strong relationships and managing expectations with integrity and confidence
• Inspire clients with visionary ideas and presentations that clearly communicate creative direction and value
• Partner with account and IP teams to identify new opportunities, grow existing client relationships, and support business development efforts through pitch strategy and presentation leadership
• Represent the agency at client meetings, industry events, and thought-leadership opportunities

Collaboration & Agency Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Creative Directors, Creative Ops, Account Management, Production, Fabrication, and Creative Tech to align creative solutions with business goals, budgets, and timelines
• Champion innovation by introducing new techniques, tools, and approaches to enhance creative execution and efficiency
• Contribute to agency culture by inspiring curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning across all creative disciplines
• Drive the creation of engaging guest journeys that balance creative excellence with operational feasibility

Core Competencies

• Proven ability to lead and inspire creative teams across multiple disciplines
• Strong strategic thinking with expertise in brand storytelling, experiential design, and consumer engagement
• Exceptional presentation, communication, and problem-solving skills; equally comfortable with visuals and verbal articulation
• Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and Google Suite; familiarity with 2D/3D tools and emerging technologies (including AI-driven design)
• Deep knowledge of industry trends and a passion for pushing creative boundaries while maintaining brand and business alignment
• Experience managing budgets, resources, and profitability in partnership with account and project management teams
• Demonstrated ability to deliver innovative, thoughtful, and results-driven work across diverse industries and event formats

Onsite Responsibilities

• Lead the team in understanding roles and responsibilities prior to and during onsite execution
• Oversee the onsite production deck to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment throughout installation
• Direct the installation of creative elements while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with vendors
• Maintain a full understanding of the overall production schedule and ensure creative deliverables integrate seamlessly
• Lead client walkthroughs, addressing feedback in real time and ensuring expectations are met or exceeded
• Collaborate with creative and production teams to identify challenges, resolve inconsistencies, and deliver effective solutions
• Take a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach-leading by example and stepping in where needed to bring the project vision to life
• Provide oversight and creative direction for styling and décor to ensure alignment with brand and design intent
• Implement ad hoc adjustments to floor plans or footprints as required to adapt to onsite conditions

Qualifications

• Minimum of four year degree in Design, Advertising, Theater or related creative discipline
• Minimum 10 years industry experience or related creative experience combining strategy, content, message with creative deliverables
• Event and Experience Design expertise desirable
• Ability to lead, motivate and inspire the creative team, while keeping the creative process in alignment with Pinch business goals and objectives

Travel & Mobility

• Ability to travel 25%
• Ability to work irregular hours in addition to normal business hours, to include nights, weekends and holidays as needed

PINCH’S CORE VALUES + YOU:

• Joy Begets Creativity: In the heat of the project, can we find moments of fun and levity? When stressed, anxious about succeeding, or frustrated with process, good ideas are hard to come by. Great ones, nearly impossible. You help contribute to a creative and positive work environment by being collaborative, open to ideas, and treating team members with respect.
• Go Beyond the Ask: At face value, many projects seem destined to produce uninspiring results. We ask ourselves, can the core goals be hijacked -hopefully with a core client as an accomplice- to ensure we can create stories that are interesting, cool, or even fun. Let’s give clients what they need, but are unable to articulate and opening them up to possibilities that they may not have imagined. You help facilitate this discovery process by pushing the work by being inquisitive, keeping yourself up-to-date with cultural trends, and expressing your point of view.
• Never Arrive: Stagnation kills creative (and companies). Brands need to grow and evolve, teams need to grow and evolve, companies need to grow and evolve. Can we push ourselves and our clients to stay ahead of the current, to realize that success always needs to evolve beyond what we know or feel comfortable with. You contribute to the growth and success of the team by holding yourself to a high standard of excellence and taking risks.
• HumanBeingsFeelings: “ Feel Something.” A fundamental need for human beings is to connect with something that feels magical and special. This comes through moments which move us emotionally, and separate us from daily concerns. You keep Pinch accountable to its values by keeping our “why” at the forefront of your work.