Associate Director of Creative

About the role

Access Your Potential.

Join us to create and deliver experiences that inspire people, spark connection, and bring imagination to life-while having a lot of fun doing it.

Associate Director of Creative - Orlando

We’re seeking a creative, hospitality-driven Associate Director of Creative based in Orlando to join our Southeast team! This role is ideal for an experienced creative professional who thrives on developing unforgettable experiences, building strong partnerships, and inspiring others to bring bold ideas to life.

About the Job

As an Associate Director of Creative at Access, you'll balance hands-on creative leadership with team development, helping transform client visions into exceptional live events and experiences.

Working closely with the Director of Creative, you'll lead creative projects, support business revenue goals, mentor team members, and collaborate with Sales and Events to develop innovative concepts that are both inspiring and operationally achievable.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the creative development of assigned events and programs, transforming client objectives into engaging, memorable experiences.
• Oversee creative concepts, presentations, proposals, and experiential designs, ensuring quality, originality, and alignment with client expectations.
• Manage your own creative projects while providing guidance, coaching, and support to designated team members.
• Partner with Sales and Events teams to develop creative solutions that are achievable within program budgets, timelines, and operational requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with venues, production partners, entertainment providers, and creative vendors.
• Conduct venue visits and site inspections to identify creative opportunities and ensure concepts can be successfully executed.
• Support business development by contributing creative strategies and presentations that help win new opportunities.
• Monitor creative budgets, pricing, and profitability while identifying opportunities to enhance program value.
• Mentor and develop Creative team members through feedback, training, and collaboration.
• Stay informed on emerging event trends, technologies, and experiential concepts to bring fresh ideas to clients.
• Collaborate with the Director of Creative to improve workflows, maintain creative standards, and support team performance.
• Travel as needed to visit venues, meet with clients and vendor partners, conduct site inspections, and collaborate with team members across the territory.
• Consistently embody and reinforce Access Values: Imagine First, Demand Integrity, Embody Excellence, Always Collaborate, Service Obsession.

About You

• We know that there’s no one in the world like you.
• And we know that you have a lot to offer the next company you work with.
• Below is a list of “nice-to-haves”, but don’t let those deter you from applying.
• Access believes that an inclusive team and culture is important.
• We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Nice-to-haves

• 5+ years of proven success in a creative-focused role in a DMC or related industry.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in the DMC or hospitality industry.
• Advanced understanding of client strategy, creative leadership, and operational impact.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, and manage Creative team workloads, training, and KPI performance.
• Strong financial and pricing strategy capabilities, including budgeting, vendor negotiations, and profitability management.
• Ability to lead teams through innovation, brand alignment, and creative excellence.
• Experience collaborating with Sales, Events, and vendor partners to develop creative solutions that meet client expectations and business goals.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, creative presentation tools, and event design platforms.
• A collaborative, culture-driven leadership style aligned with Access Values.

Why Access?

We’re a women-owned, award-winning destination management company with teams in cities coast to coast. For 50+ years, we’ve been producing high-impact events and experiences for global brands-and we’re just getting started.

Culture & Extras

• Certified as a Great Place to Work - 3 years in a row!
• 50+ years in the industry!
• Women-owned and women-led
• Fun, creative, and supportive culture
• Focus on recognition and employee value - including annual and quarterly awards
• Paid day off to serve your local community
• Annual all-company retreat to connect, learn, and have fun together
• Annual qualifier-based incentive trip for top performers (certain departments eligible)
• Regional team outings
• Monthly companywide meetings to connect, learn, and celebrate wins

Compensation

• Highly competitive total compensation, including strong base salary and quarterly bonuses
• Very strong performance-based quarterly commission plans
• 401k with company match (eligible after 1 year - up to 4% of salary matched, vested immediately
• Monthly cell phone stipend

Work Life Balance

• Work from home opportunities and flexibility (including full home office setup)
• Flexible schedule opportunities
• Generous PTO
• Sick days
• 9 full holidays
• 5 half days off prior to holidays to unplug early
• 2 floating holidays off to be used on holidays of your choice
• ½ day Fridays in July & August (based on achievement of goals)

Health, Wellness, and Family

• Extensive menu of health plans to choose from
• Paid parental leave
• Pet insurance program
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Professional Development

• Mentorship program
• “Masterclasses” in industry/department-specific topics
• State-of-the-art technology platforms and tools - including training
• Annual and monthly meeting content that focuses on professional development

Ready to ACCESS your next big opportunity? Apply today!