Creative Designer - Creative Group at Direct Travel

United States

<p><span><strong>Your Destination</strong></span></p> <p><span>This position is a REMOTE position.</span></p> <p><span><strong>Your Expedition (position overview)</strong></span></p> <p><span>The Creative Designer is responsible for creating immersive, personalized, and strategically aligned experiences that bring client objectives to life. This role translates business goals into compelling attendee journeys that engage all senses and foster meaningful connections. The Creative Designer leverages design thinking, storytelling, and emerging technologies to craft innovative solutions that differentiate Creative Group’s offerings and deliver measurable impact.</span></p> <p><span>Working collaboratively with business development, sourcing, suppliers, and internal teams, the Creative Designer ensures that every program reflects the client’s “why” and brand purpose. This position plays a critical role in developing visual narratives, curating destinations and experiences, integrating AI and experiential technology, and aligning design with budget and client KPIs. The Creative Designer is a key contributor to proposal development and a champion of continuous improvement, staying ahead of industry trends to elevate Creative Group’s reputation for creativity, innovation, and customer-centricity.</span></p> <p><span><strong>Going the Extra Mile (Responsibilities)</strong></span></p> <p><span><strong>Designing Immersive and Personalized Attendee Experiences</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span>Create compelling visual narratives (mood boards, PPT and other proposal technologies) to communicate event concepts and ensure design consistency.</span></li> <li><span>Develop holistic attendee journey maps (pre, onsite and post), implement multi-sensory engagement, and leverage data and technology for personalized experiences.</span></li> <li><span>Translate client goals into cohesive visual experiences.</span></li> <li><span>Help define KPIs related to event design, engagement, and emotional impact on attendees.</span></li> <li><span>Recommend trends, ideas, and concepts to improve performance in future experiences.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Strategic Destination &amp; Experience Curation</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span>Design events with unique, culturally relevant, and emotionally resonant purpose tied to the clients “why”.</span></li> <li><span>Collaborate with partners (DMCs, Hotels, Fabricators, Decorators, and others) to create customized designs based on business brand, objectives and audience.</span></li> <li><span>Attend client pre-sale site inspections, FAMs and participate in program execution to gain firsthand destination and client experience.</span></li> <li><span>Develop innovative solutions to activate business brand and objectives.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Collaborating with Sales and Suppliers</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span>Partner with Business Development on design strategy including presenting concepts to client.</span></li> <li><span>Build and expand strategic partnerships to optimize innovative design.</span></li> <li><span>Effectively lead communication and ideation with partners to design, cost and deliver holistic client experiences.</span></li> <li><span>Act as budget advisor and fiduciary partner in collaboration with Sourcing Manager to develop a budget that maximizes spend while ensuring alignment with client objectives and incorporating opportunities to innovate.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Driving Continuous Improvement</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span>Conduct audience analysis, map emotional touchpoints, and use data to refine future event strategies and contribute to the i|Lab.</span></li> <li><span>Stay ahead of design, tech, travel, and experiential marketing trends, infusing them into concepts.</span></li> <li><span>Integrate technology (AI, AR, VR) into process and experiences to enhance engagement.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Contributing to Proposal Development</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span>Collaborate on proposal deck creation, including capabilities, value story and responding to RFPs requiring creative design.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Perform other duties as assigned.</strong></span></p> <p><span><strong>Your Passport to Success (Qualifications)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span><strong>Education</strong>: Bachelor’s degree in Event Design, Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Fine Arts, or related field. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Experience</strong>: 5–7 years of experience in event design, experiential marketing, creative strategy, or visual design and related roles with proven success designing attendee-centered experiences. Demonstrated expertise in <strong>creating attendee journey maps</strong> and multi-sensory engagement strategies.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Creative Skills</strong>: Proficiency in developing visual narratives (mood boards, storyboards, PPT, design software) to communicate event concepts and maintain consistency.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Industry Knowledge</strong>: Strong understanding of event production, destination curation, and vendor/supplier collaboration (e.g., DMCs, hotels, fabricators, decorators).</span></li> <li><span><strong>Technical Skills</strong>: Experience integrating <strong>data and technology</strong> into event strategies (e.g., personalization, AI, AR/VR applications). Highly Proficient in Microsoft Suites.</span></li> <li><span>This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or efforts associated with the position.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Non-negotiable Hiring Criteria:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span><strong>Visual Design &amp; Storytelling: </strong>Ability to translate complex journey maps into clear, compelling visuals and narrative that communicate value.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Strategic Thinking</strong>: Ability to translate client goals into holistic experiences that align with business objectives and KPIs.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Collaboration</strong>: Excellence in partnering with clients, and cross-functionally to design, and deliver integrated experiences.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Communication</strong>: Strong presentation skills with the ability to articulate creative concepts to clients and internal stakeholders.</span></li> <li><span><strong>Analytical Skills</strong>: Ability to analyze audience insights and engagement data to improve design approaches and outcomes.</span></li> <li><span>Ability to articulate and advocate for a <strong>“why-first” strategic approach</strong> that ties directly to client objectives and measurable outcomes.</span></li> <li><span>Must possess excellent <strong>time management skills</strong> and have a sense of urgency; proven ability to work on multiple projects at any given time.</span></li> <li><span>Must be able to succeed in a fast-paced environment.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><strong>Your Benefits Onboard</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>In addition to Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits Direct Travel/ATPI offers a Total Rewards Package which includes Retirement Plans, Wellness, Rewards and Recognition, Sustainability, DE&amp;I initiatives, and Mental Health Support.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Embark on the next step in your career journey with Direct Travel!</span></p> <p><span>Direct Travel/ATPI is one of the fastest growing Travel Management Companies (TMC) in the world. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and innovative technology solutions, Direct Travel/ATPI enables clients to derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of superior service, progressive technologies, and significant cost savings. Direct Travel/ATPI has offices globally and is currently ranked among the top providers on Travel Weekly’s Power List. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.dt.com/about-us/careers/">https://www.dt.com/about-us/careers/</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><em>Direct Travel/ATPI is an EOE/AA/Veteran/People with Disabilities employer</em></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><strong>If you're ready to chart a new course and advance your career with the valuable moments and travel experiences that await, we welcome you to submit your resume for consideration at Direct Travel/ATPI.</strong></span></p>