Creative Director – Retail & Pop-Up (m/f/d)

Location: Remote within CET ±2 hrs 
Mode: project based freelance work
Start: Immediately

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Creative Director with a strong background in retail, pop-up, and experiential brand environments to join our extended creative network.

In this role, you will lead the creative direction for brand activations and temporary to permanent retail experiences, developing strong spatial and visual storytelling concepts that connect brands with audiences through space and emotion. You will guide the creative process from concept to presentation, ensuring design integrity and brand alignment at every stage.

As Creative Director, you will collaborate closely with our Spatial Design and Production teams, lead and mentor Art Directors and Graphic Designers, and act as the main creative contact for clients. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of brand experience design, live communication, and the retail landscape, translating brand strategy and vision into bold, tangible ideas.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Leadership & Vision

• Lead the creative direction of retail and pop-up activations from concept to delivery.
• Translate brand strategy and marketing goals into immersive and experiential design concepts.
• Guide and mentor the creative team, ensuring alignment and excellence across all deliverables.
• Present creative ideas with feasibility approach and concepts directly to clients with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Concept Development

• Develop original creative concepts that connect brand storytelling with spatial experience for complete consumer journeys.
• Create and oversee concept decks, mood boards, and presentations in collaboration with Art Direction and Graphic Design.
• Collaborate with Spatial Design teams to ensure creative and spatial visions align seamlessly.
• Review and provide feedback on visual materials, ensuring brand and design consistency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Account Managers and Producers to align creative work with project scope, timelines, and budgets.
• Bridge the gap between creative intent and production feasibility, maintaining balance between vision and execution.
• Participate in pitch development and client presentations, leading the creative narrative.
• Support the integration of digital and interactive touchpoints within spatial experiences when relevant.

Quality & Innovation

• Ensure that every creative output meets the highest aesthetic and experiential standards meaningfully.
• Stay current with trends in retail design, live communication, and brand activation.
• Bring forward-thinking ideas that push creative boundaries while remaining strategically grounded.

Skills & Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in creative direction, experiential design, or brand environments.
• Proven track record in developing concepts for retail, pop-up, or brand activation projects.
• Strong understanding of spatial design, live communication, and consumer experience.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide creative teams.
• Confident in client-facing situations and experienced in leading presentations and pitches.
• Skilled in concepting tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and presentation platforms (Keynote, PowerPoint).
• Ability to review and interpret 3D or spatial drawings (Rhino, SketchUp, Vectorworks, etc.); hands-on 3D modelling not required.
• Strong visual sense, brand understanding and storytelling ability.
• Fluent in English, German a plus.

What We Offer

• Work with leading international brands shaping the future of retail and experiential design.
• The opportunity to develop high-profile, creative brand activations seen globally.
• A collaborative, no-ego creative culture where ideas are valued, and great work speaks for itself.
• Freedom to work remotely and flexibly, supported by a team that delivers at the highest level.
• Exposure to multi-disciplinary projects that combine live communication, design, and innovation.

About Us