Associate Event Designer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The Experiential Designer is a conceptual and execution-focused creative role responsible for translating brand strategy and client objectives into large-scale, immersive environments for corporate events, conferences, and brand activations.
This role is not solely focused on event décor or styling. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in spatial design, attendee journey, and environment creation. This position leads design development across multiple projects, ensuring creative cohesion, storytelling depth, and flawless visual execution.
Working under the Creative Director, the Experiential Designer serves as a key creative lead - guiding Associate Experiential Designers, collaborating with internal teams, and ensuring that every element aligns with brand identity and the attendee journey.
Job Responsibilities:
• Develop creative concepts that translate brand objectives into detailed design solutions.
• Design complex attendee journeys across large-scale environments, considering flow, engagement, and brand storytelling.
• Create concept decks, mood boards, and visual references that clearly communicate design intent.
• Develop detailed floor plans, layouts, and spatial designs using CAD or similar drafting tools.
• Produce renderings and visualizations that communicate scale, environment, and attendee experience.
• Ensure all designs are functional, code-compliant, and aligned with venue constraints and safety requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Meeting Services and Experiential Operations teams to ensure feasibility, budget alignment, and executional integrity.
• Serve as the primary creative contact for assigned projects, owning design integrity from concept through execution.
• Travel to event sites as needed to lead on-site creative execution, providing real-time input, problem-solving, and design refinements to ensure the integrity of the experience is maintained from build through show.
• Communicate design intent clearly to internal teams, vendors, and fabricators.
• Source and specify materials, scenic elements, décor, and environmental components.
• Ensure design documentation clearly and accurately communicates specifications for production and installation (mockups, material callouts, quantities).
• Participate in site visits and pre-build reviews and provide on-site creative oversight to ensure design integrity is maintained during build and execution.
• Contribute to RFP responses and pitch presentations with creative content, visuals, and supporting narrative.
• Manage and mentor Associate Experiential Designers, overseeing day-to-day activities, ensuring consistency, clarity, and creative growth within the team.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends, new vendor products, and production innovations; recommend adoption where appropriate.
Requirements
• 3-6+ years of experience in experiential, event, or environmental design with a focus on corporate meetings, conferences, festivals, and brand activations.
• Bachelor's degree in design or equivalent experience
• Strong portfolio demonstrating spatial design, layout development, and visual storytelling
• Portfolio must demonstrate large-scale experiential or environmental design work, including floor plans, renderings, and built environments
• Proficient in
o Adobe Creative Suite;
o CAD/drafting tools
• 3D modeling/rendering experience is a plus
• Working knowledge of event production, materials, fabrication processes, and vendor capabilities
• Experience managing designers and collaborating cross-functionally
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours during events
Competencies:
• Innovative mindset with strong ability to generate new ideas concerning design creation, production techniques, and storytelling.
• Strong spatial intelligence and ability to design for scale, flow, and human interaction
• Ability to balance creativity with feasibility, budget, and production constraints
• High level of ownership and accountability across multiple projects
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with production, operations, and technical teams
• Knowledge of production vendors, production resources, local event permit requirements, event location, and other event resources
• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, all while possessing excellent time-management skills
• Respects and maintains confidentiality