Job Details
Job Description
We’re Pinnacle — an experiential marketing house. Strategists, creatives, builders, and your future besties, all fueled by the same pursuit: we’re never satisfied. Our name is an ambition. We chase down the next “holy smokes, they actually did that” moment. And then, we do it again.
We are on the hunt for a west-coast-based Design Director. It’s a big role with a good combo of leading and doing. Reporting to our Chief Creative Officer, this leader will focus on leading and growing our west coast 3D design team. Preference is given to candidates located in the Irvine/Los Angeles, CA or Portland, OR area, but if you’re living in Denver, hey, let’s still talk.
The Role
The Design Director is equal parts creative leader, mentor, and craftsperson. Think of this role as the captain of the 3D design team — someone who grows talent, builds skills, and ensures Pinnacle continues to deliver jaw-dropping experiential work that moves our clients’ audiences.
Design Directors are focused on executional excellence. You’ll lead the 3D design craft, make sure the team has the tools and training they need, and jump in on high-profile projects when they call for a seasoned designer at the helm.
This is a role for someone who loves design as much as they love people and who gets just as much satisfaction from seeing a designer level up as from seeing their own work come to life.
What You’ll Do
Lead the team. Manage, mentor, and grow a crew of designers, from hiring and onboarding to career development and performance feedback.
Raise the bar. Ensure Pinnacle’s design output is consistently world-class, pushing the craft of 3D experiential design forward.
Empower talent. Identify training, tools, and technologies the team needs, and advocate for them.
Hands-on design. Jump in as lead designer on high-profile or complex projects, setting the standard for what great work looks like.
Collaborate across teams. Partner with Creative Directors, producers, account people, and strategists to turn big ideas into buildable, memorable experiences.
Shape Pinnacle’s culture. Build a team environment where collaboration, curiosity, and craft fuel the work.
Who You Are
A people-first leader who thrives on growing and inspiring creative talent.
A craft-obsessed designer who can deliver exceptional 3D work – you bring awareness of design, architecture, art, and material trends into your work.
A strategic collaborator who knows how to partner with account, strategy, and production teams to elevate, sell, and defend ideas.
Confident but humble, you know when to lead and when to let others shine.
What You Bring
8+ years of experiential/environmental/3D design experience, with a strong portfolio of sold work.
2+ years of experience managing and mentoring design teams.
Proficiency in key design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling/rendering software, Twinmotion, 3DS Max, V RAY, Unreal Engine, or similar).
Strong understanding of materials, fabrication techniques, and how design becomes reality.
Ability to present and articulate design solutions to clients and internal teams.
Conceptual sketching skills a plus.
Not For You If…
You’d rather design in a silo than lead and collaborate with a team.
You shy away from giving feedback, mentoring, or hard conversations.
You’re more comfortable maintaining the status quo than raising the bar.
You think leadership means telling people what to do instead of doing it with them.
Why Pinnacle
Lead one of the most exciting design teams in experiential marketing.
Shape the next generation of creative talent while still keeping your hands in the work.
Collaborate with strategists, creatives, and builders chasing the next “holy smokes” moment.
Competitive pay, benefits, and the freedom to do your best work where you work best.
We’d love to see a portfolio along with your resume. We look forward to hearing from you!
