Job Description
Job Description
Apply now: Senior/Lead Experiential Designer, location is Remote – PST. The start date is ASAP for this 6 month contract-to-hire position.
Job Title: Senior/Lead Experiential Designer
Location-Type: Remote – must work PST hours
Start Date Is: ASAP
Duration: 6 month contract-to-hire (2027)
Compensation Range: $45/hr – $55/hr W2
Benefits: Eligible for Health, Dental, Vision, 401K
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Job Description:
Lead the concept, design, and execution of immersive experiential projects across retail stores, trade shows, pop-ups, internal events, and customer-facing brand activations.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
- Lead experiential design projects from initial concept through production and installation.
- Design retail environments, trade shows, events, pop-ups, and branded activations.
- Develop sketches, mood boards, floor plans, environmental graphics, 3D renderings, and production-ready artwork.
- Create 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.
- Strong graphic design foundation combined with hands-on 3D and spatial design experience.
- 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.
- Portfolio must show the design process, including concept development, mood boards, sketches, floor plans, blueprints, 3D renderings, environmental graphics, and final installed work.
- 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.
- Ability 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.
- Located near Portland, Oregon, or Long Beach, California.