VP of Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: VP of Design

Company: On Board Experiential

Location: Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative / Design Leadership

Date Posted: April 25, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and elevate the design vision and execution for a leading experiential marketing agency, shaping world-class brand experiences.

• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary design team, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and growth.

• Drive innovation in experiential, spatial, and integrated design, ensuring outputs are culturally relevant, strategically grounded, and visually compelling.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with creative, strategy, production, and account teams to embed design thinking throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior leadership position within a creative agency, requiring not only exceptional design talent but also strong operational and team management capabilities. The focus is on driving high-quality, innovative experiential design solutions for a diverse client roster.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the overall vision, quality, and execution of the agency's Design function, encompassing spatial/environmental, graphic, interactive, and digital disciplines.

• Inspire and push design boundaries by delivering and championing best-in-class experiential design concepts that captivate audiences.

• Champion innovation and creative ambition, ensuring design work is cutting-edge, future-focused, and aligned with agency growth objectives.

• Oversee conceptual and visual direction for high-profile projects, guaranteeing that all design outputs meet the highest standards of craft and creativity.

• Lead select client projects, building client trust, selling in industry-defining design solutions, and translating client objectives into impactful strategic design.

• Manage, mentor, and develop a design team of 10+ individuals, cultivating a culture of excellence, accountability, curiosity, and continuous growth.

• Articulate clear career paths and provide development plans with ongoing feedback to enhance team capability, growth, and morale.

• Collaborate with the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and Creative Leadership to drive department programming, including content for creative department meetings and design-specific training.

• Contribute to talent acquisition and hiring strategies to attract and retain top-tier design talent for the agency.

• Expand, maintain, and grow the agency's network of freelance and specialty designers, working with Creative Operations to activate this network efficiently for project demands.

• Partner closely with Creative Directors, Strategy, Production, Technology, and Account teams to ensure design thinking is integrated across all project phases.

• Guide internal and client teams through all stages of design development, from initial concepts and mood boards to final renderings, presentations, execution drawings, and site maps.

• Participate in leadership discussions, offering strategic perspectives on design innovation, creative processes, and organizational growth.

• Collaborate with Production teams to realize ambitious design concepts, maintaining design integrity from concept through execution and ensuring quality assurance.

• Oversee and/or lead on-site installations to ensure design excellence is maintained throughout project delivery.

• Develop and refine design workflows, templates, tools, and standards to improve quality, efficiency, and cross-team collaboration.

• Work with the 2D design team lead to oversee software, hardware, and platform needs for the design team, advocating for new tools that enhance creative output.

• Review project budgets, timelines, hours assessments, and Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure design scope is appropriately outlined and budgeted, contributing to operational excellence and profitability.

• Oversee team resourcing, staffing, and utilization to ensure an optimal balance of talent, workload, and quality, as part of Creative Leadership.

• Develop, direct, and inspire compelling design concepts for new business pitches, including provocative materials, resonant visuals, and clear executive presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative vision and operational management. The role demands strategic thinking, team leadership, client-facing skills, and a deep understanding of experiential design execution, from concept to physical realization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive design experience in experiential, environmental, architectural, or multidisciplinary creative roles.

• 4+ years of experience leading design or creative teams, or managing a design function within an agency, event production company, or creative studio.

Required Skills:

• Mastery across key design disciplines: spatial/environmental design, 3D and architectural conception, experiential design, and visual storytelling.

• Expertise in 3D design with advanced proficiency in modeling and rendering software (e.g., SketchUp, Rhino, Vray, Unreal Engine) and the Adobe Creative Suite.

• Passion for and familiarity with interactive experience design and implementation.

• Strong understanding of fabrication processes, materials, production workflows, and feasibility considerations for brand experiences.

• Ability to synthesize complex client needs into strategic, actionable design directions.

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, capable of persuading, inspiring, and guiding both internal teams and clients.

• Skilled at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, creatively demanding environment.

• Deep network of freelance creative resources, including 2D/3D designers, production artists, CAD designers, creative technologists, content creators, lighting designers, art directors, and stylists.

• Inspirational leadership that motivates teams through clarity, empathy, and creative ambition.

• High energy, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in evolving, entrepreneurial environments.

• Strong problem-solving capabilities with calm, grounded decision-making.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with clients in the experiential marketing, advertising, or brand activation sectors.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools relevant to creative production.

• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application in experiential design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep design expertise, leadership experience, and a robust network of creative talent. Proficiency in specific 3D modeling and rendering software is crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate exceptional experiential design work, showcasing innovation and impact.

• Highlight architectural and 3D design expertise with strong conceptual development.

• Present integrated strategic thinking, illustrating how design solutions align with client objectives.

• Showcase compelling spatial storytelling and environmental branding examples.

• Include examples of thoughtful technology integration within design projects.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate clear design workflows from concept ideation to final execution and on-site installation.

• Demonstrate how you've developed and refined design processes, templates, and standards for improved efficiency and quality.

• Showcase experience in reviewing project budgets, timelines, and SOWs to ensure scope and financial feasibility.

• Provide examples of how you've managed the quality assurance and control of design execution, including material evaluation and fabrication process audits.

📝 Enhancement Note: A comprehensive portfolio is paramount, going beyond visual aesthetics to demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership, process management, and the ability to deliver complex experiential projects.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $225,000+ annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.

• Employer-paid Basic Life and Personal Accident Insurance.

• Annual Profit Sharing and Bonus Plan, contingent on company and individual performance.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Paid Time Off (PTO).

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (typically 40 hours per week), with flexibility required to meet project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is at the executive level, reflecting the seniority and scope of the VP of Design role. The benefits package is robust, offering a comprehensive suite of health, financial, and time-off benefits typical for senior positions in the creative industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Experiential Marketing / Brand Experience Agency.

• On Board Experiential (OBE) operates in the dynamic and fast-paced world of experiential marketing, creating impactful brand experiences for global clients. The industry demands creativity, strategic thinking, and flawless execution.

Company Size: [Company size not specified, but implied to be large enough to have a team of 10+ designers and operate across multiple major cities.]

• The company structure suggests a growing agency with established processes and a significant client roster, offering opportunities for impact and advancement.

Founded: [Company founding date not specified.]

Team Structure:

• The Design team is multidisciplinary, including 3D/environmental specialists, graphic designers, UX/UI designers, and visual storytellers.

• This role reports directly to the Chief Creative Officer (CCO), indicating a key position within the creative leadership hierarchy.

Methodology:

• OBE emphasizes an "experience-led" approach, focusing on creating meaningful brand interactions.

• The company culture promotes open meetings, encouraging discussion, empathy, and bringing one's whole self to work.

• There's a stated commitment to healthy work-life balance, including recovery days, social events, and fitness challenges.

• The agency fosters a culture of bravery, hard work, and continuous innovation in design.

Company Website: obexp.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to balance high-performance creative work with employee well-being and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The role is situated within a collaborative, client-focused environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Executive Leadership (VP level).

Reporting Structure:

• Reports directly to the Chief Creative Officer (CCO).

• Manages a team of 10+ designers across various disciplines.

Operations Impact:

• The VP of Design is pivotal in shaping the agency's creative reputation and capabilities, directly influencing the quality and innovation of all design outputs.

• Their strategic direction and team leadership will drive the success of client campaigns and contribute to new business acquisition.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to influence the strategic direction of the entire creative department and the agency's service offerings.

• Opportunity to build and scale a high-performing design team, mentoring emerging talent.

• Chance to work with a prestigious client roster, including major global brands like Nike, Meta, and OpenAI.

• Potential for advancement within the creative leadership structure, possibly towards CCO or other executive roles, depending on individual ambition and company growth.

• Development opportunities through industry engagement, trend-watching, and potentially leading internal innovation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant influence and growth potential within a leading experiential agency, suitable for a seasoned creative leader looking to make a substantial impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model with physical office locations in New York, San Francisco (Mill Valley), and Los Angeles.

Office Location(s):

• New York, NY

• Mill Valley, CA (serving the San Francisco Bay Area)

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as fast-paced, creatively demanding, and entrepreneurial.

• Emphasis on collaboration, with teams working closely across departments.

• The company culture values human connection, empathy, and bringing one's whole self to work.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, with an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and client needs. This may involve occasional travel and extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model requires local presence in one of the specified cities, balancing remote flexibility with in-office collaboration and client interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and creative output.

• Creative Assessment: Likely a portfolio presentation and discussion with senior creative leadership (CCO, potentially other Directors) to evaluate design philosophy, leadership approach, and strategic thinking.

• Team & Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with potential direct reports (designers) and key cross-functional partners (e.g., Production, Strategy, Account leads) to assess leadership style, collaboration skills, and cultural fit.

• Executive/Final Interview: A discussion with top leadership, potentially including the CEO or other C-suite executives, to evaluate strategic vision, business acumen, and overall fit for the agency's future.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase a range of projects that highlight your expertise across experiential, spatial, and integrated design. Include examples demonstrating leadership, team management, client interaction, and problem-solving.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the client's challenge, your strategic approach, the design solution, your role, and the measurable impact or outcome. Emphasize the "why" behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Process: Include examples of your design process, from initial concepts and mood boards to technical execution drawings and on-site installation considerations. Show how you manage feasibility and production.

• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include case studies that demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor teams, manage freelance resources, and drive creative excellence within a department.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs and leadership.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to leading design teams, fostering creativity, managing client relationships, and ensuring operational efficiency.

• Anticipate questions about your vision for the future of experiential design and how you stay ahead of industry trends.

• Prepare to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that illustrate your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and leadership capabilities.

• Understand the agency's work and client roster to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily scrutinize both creative output and leadership/operational capabilities. A well-structured portfolio that tells a compelling story of design vision, team leadership, and project execution is critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• 3D Modeling & Rendering: SketchUp, Rhino, Vray, Unreal Engine (proficiency expected in at least one or more).

• Graphic Design & Visualization: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Prototyping/Interactive: Familiarity with tools relevant to interactive experience design.

Collaboration & Project Management:

• Tools for team communication (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams).

• Project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Jira, or similar) for workflow tracking and resource management.

Other Potential Tools:

• CAD software for technical drawings.

• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides) for client presentations.

• Familiarity with fabrication process management tools or systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling, rendering, and graphic design software, along with the ability to leverage collaboration and project management tools to optimize team workflows.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A relentless pursuit of innovative, impactful, and high-quality design solutions.

• Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships across departments and with clients to achieve shared goals.

• Empathy & Inclusivity: Valuing diverse perspectives and creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to be themselves.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of projects, outcomes, and professional growth.

• Curiosity & Innovation: Continuously exploring new ideas, trends, and technologies to push creative boundaries.

• Work-Life Balance: Promoting employee well-being alongside high performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Open and communicative, encouraging active participation in meetings and discussions.

• Cross-functional, with a strong emphasis on integrating design thinking with strategy, production, and account management.

• Supportive and mentoring, with senior members guiding and developing junior talent.

• Agile and adaptable, responding effectively to the dynamic demands of the experiential marketing industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values a blend of creative ambition, strong teamwork, and personal well-being, creating an environment conducive to both high performance and individual growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Ambition with Feasibility: Translating highly creative and ambitious design concepts into practical, executable, and budget-conscious solutions.

• Managing Diverse Teams: Leading and motivating a multidisciplinary team with varied skill sets and personalities, ensuring cohesive output.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously innovating and adapting to rapidly evolving design trends, technologies, and client expectations in the experiential space.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Ensuring seamless collaboration and communication between the design team and other departments, especially Production and Strategy.

• Talent Acquisition and Retention: Attracting and retaining top design talent in a competitive market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the agency's creative direction and design philosophy.

• Team Development: Mentoring and growing a team of talented designers, fostering their career progression.

• Client Exposure: Working with a high-profile client list, gaining experience across diverse industries and brand challenges.

• Industry Leadership: Becoming a recognized leader in the experiential design field.

• Skill Enhancement: Staying current with cutting-edge design software, technologies, and fabrication techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are directly tied to substantial growth and leadership opportunities within a leading agency.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your vision for the future of experiential design and how you see OBE leading in this space." (Preparation: Research current trends, emerging technologies, and OBE's existing work; articulate a forward-thinking strategy.)

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and accountability within a creative team?" (Preparation: Provide specific examples of team management techniques, feedback mechanisms, and how you inspire creative risk-taking.)

• "Walk us through a complex experiential design project from your portfolio where you had to balance ambitious creative goals with significant production constraints." (Preparation: Select a strong case study, clearly outlining the challenge, your strategic approach, design process, team's role, and the successful outcome.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about On Board Experiential and this specific role?" (Preparation: Research the company's clients, projects, values, and recent news; connect your skills and aspirations to their mission.)

• "How do you approach mentoring and developing design talent?" (Preparation: Discuss your philosophy on career development, feedback, and creating growth opportunities for team members.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type, client, or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., concept development, technical execution, team leadership).

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly define the client objective, your strategic role, the creative solution, and the tangible results or impact achieved. Quantify success where possible.

• Show Your Process: Include mood boards, sketches, 3D renderings, technical drawings, and any other artifacts that illustrate your design journey and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Leadership: If possible, incorporate examples of how you've led teams, managed freelancers, or overseen project execution.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Practice your presentation to be clear, confident, and passionate. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your work and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic vision, strong leadership, a deep understanding of experiential design, and a collaborative, client-focused approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this VP of Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcasing your most impactful experiential design work, leadership experience, and strategic thinking. Tailor its presentation to highlight achievements relevant to this role.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of design experience and 4+ years of leadership, emphasizing achievements in experiential, environmental, and 3D design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on storytelling, process, impact, and your leadership capabilities. Be ready to articulate your vision for design at OBE.

• Research the Company: Thoroughly investigate On Board Experiential's clients, projects, values, and recent work. Understand their approach to experiential marketing and how your expertise aligns.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description is based on the provided data and industry standards. Candidates should verify all details directly with On Board Experiential during the application and interview process.