Creative Manager

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. We are seeking a Creative Manager based in the Austin/San Antonio area . About the Job As a Creative Manager at Access, you will partner with Sales and Creative teams to develop strategic, experience-driven proposals and client presentations. You will shape the creative vision for corporate events, translating client goals into environments, moments, and experiences that are both compelling and executable. This role operates in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment and requires strong organization, prioritization, and adaptability. You know how to paint a picture clients can step into. You don’t just describe what an event will look like. You explain why it works, how it supports the audience, and how it comes together within real-world budgets and logistics. This is not a graphic design or marketing role. It is an experiential role rooted in live events. What You'll Be Doing Event Design & Concept Development Develop event themes aligned to destination, audience, and client objectives Design guest environments including layouts, lounges, table scapes, entry moments, and custom elements Translate client goals into cohesive, end-to-end guest experiences Ensure concepts are both inspiring and operationally feasible Proposal Strategy & Storytelling Lead creative ideation for proposals and client presentations Build clear narratives supported by mood boards, imagery, and diagrams Partner with Sales to create concepts that are compelling, confident, and easy to sell Activations, Entertainment & Experience Elements Source and recommend interactive activations and specialty experiences Curate entertainment aligned to audience, energy level, and event objectives Ensure all elements feel intentional and connected to the overall theme Transportation & Guest Flow Design transportation strategies for programs ranging from 20 to 5,000+ guests Coordinate movement, arrival, and departure as part of the overall guest experience Budgeting & Vendor Strategy Price decor, entertainment, activations, and transportation with margin awareness Source and evaluate vendors, balancing creativity with budget and profitability Recommend solutions that maximize impact while remaining realistic Collaboration & Brand Stewardship Partner closely with Sales, Event Managers, and Creative teammates Present concepts with clarity and confidence Uphold the Access brand voice and creative standards across all work About Access Access is a destination management company that designs shared experiences for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. From intimate incentive trips to large-scale meetings, trainings, and sales-driven events, we bring people together through thoughtful design, smart sourcing, and seamless execution. Our work blends imagination with intention. We dream big, then we build it right. 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: 3+ years in DMC, corporate events, hospitality, or experiential design Experience building event concepts before execution and presenting vision to clients Knowledge of decor, entertainment, activations, and transportation for live events Comfortable discussing budgets, pricing decisions, and creative trade-offs Highly organized, collaborative, and calm under pressure What Success Looks Like Clients quickly grasp the creative vision and feel confident it supports their brand, audience, and event goals. Proposals convert consistently because the experience is clear, compelling, and easy to champion internally. Creative recommendations land within expected budget ranges while maintaining strong margin health. Event concepts move from proposal to execution with minimal revisions, rework, or last-minute course correction. Sales and Events teams rely on Creative for clear direction, realistic solutions, and thoughtful problem-solving. Creative work strengthens destination storytelling and contributes to repeat business and long-term client trust. Every proposal reflects the Access brand through clarity, confidence, and intentional design choices. Why Access? CULTURE & EXTRAS Certified as a Great Place to Work – 3 years in a row and counting! 55+ 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 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 What are you waiting for? Scroll back to the top and apply! Access is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].