Creative Director: Experiential (On-Site, NYC)
MATTE PROJECTS Open · verified Aug 5, 2026 Leadership Creative role at MATTE PROJECTS. New York · $190,000–$200,000 base.
Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Oversee client work from project start to delivery, reviewing plans and maintaining quality
- Set creative direction for experiential, branding, and campaign work from concept through launch
- Build pitch materials, shape creative approaches, and pursue new business in fashion and lifestyle
- Lead, recruit, retain, and mentor creative talent across departments
- Strengthen MATTE’s brand direction, media presence, voice, and messaging
What you bring
- At least ten years in a senior creative role, preferably in experiential marketing or a related field
- A record of leading creative teams and delivering strong experiential campaigns or projects
- Clear communication, presentation, collaboration, and strategic planning skills
- A bachelor’s degree in Design, Marketing, or a related discipline; advanced credentials are a plus
Who this fits
You’ll suit this role if you’re a senior experiential creative leader who can direct client work, pitch for new business, and develop creative teams. You’ll work closely with the Executive Creative Director and leadership while recruiting, mentoring, and shaping team processes. The position is on-site in New York and calls for a bachelor’s degree in Design, Marketing, or a related area.
From the employer
Who are we?
MATTE is a 360° full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We bring people together to inspire new ways of engaging, to provoke long term progress, and to entertain audiences around the world, while helping forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same. Our studio capabilities range from strategic ideation and insights, creative development, branding and identity, experiential, web design and development, campaigns and content creation, all the way through full-scale production and execution.
About this role:
As the Experiential Creative Director at MATTE, you'll be the strategic and conceptual lead for all experiential elements within our creative department. You'll collaborate closely with the Executive Creative Director and the creative team, serving as a conduit for innovative ideas and exceptional creative work. Your role is to inspire and lead the creative department, identifying top talent and fostering an environment that cultivates brilliance. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Creative Ownership Over Clients, New Business, and Projects:
- Manage client projects at a high level, overseeing multiple projects from inception to completion, reviewing project plans, and ensuring deliverables meet high standards.
- Provide oversight on all experiential elements and outputs from the Experiential design team.
- Lead the creative strategy from ideation to deployment for various projects encompassing branding, experiences, and campaigns.
- Assist in framing creative pitch strategies and lead the development of presentation materials to support communication initiatives.
- Lead, pitch and win new business opportunities.
- Drive the expansion of MATTE's client portfolio, particularly within fashion, lifestyle, and related sectors.
Management and Leadership of Creative Team:
- Collaborate with the ECD to establish and implement organizational processes for the creative team.
- Guide the creative team in direction, style, and processes across departments.
- Partner with management to recruit, retain, and nurture creative talent, including sourcing and interviewing designers, art directors, illustrators, and freelance collaborators.
- Cultivate a cohesive and diverse creative department through leadership and mentorship.
- Engage in weekly meetings with leadership to make decisions impacting the creative team.
Development of MATTE's Creative Vision:
- Expand and elevate MATTE's existing brand creative.
- Contribute to defining the overarching design direction for MATTE's media platform across print and digital realms.
- Refine MATTE's tone of voice, creative vision, and brand messaging in alignment with the company's objectives.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- 10+ years of experience in a senior creative role, preferably within experiential marketing or related fields.
- Demonstrated leadership in managing and inspiring creative teams.
- Proven track record of delivering exceptional experiential campaigns and projects.
- Strong communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to translate ideas into actionable plans.
- Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field (advanced degrees or certifications are advantageous).
Compensation: $190,000-$200,000/year based on relevant experience
Benefits include:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- 401k with a 4% company contribution max match
- Fully covered Citibike membership
- Talkspace membership
- Competitive PTO package
- End of Year Recharge
- Sabbatical Program
- Paid Parental Leave
Everyone is welcome at MATTE - we’re passionate about building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and creating an environment where our differences are celebrated. MATTE provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MATTE will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.