Creative Director
The Freeman Company (TFC) Brands, Detroit, MI, United States
About Us
Sparks is a leading global brand experience agency, specializing in the design and execution of award‑winning experiences that forge deep connections between brands and audiences. Recognized by Adweek as Experiential Agency of the Year, we bring a unique blend of strategic insight and execution excellence to every brand activation, corporate event, trade show exhibit, and immersive experience. Our commitment to creativity, innovation, and flawless execution drives us to craft impactful experiential marketing solutions that deepen relationships, inspire action, and build trust—all around the world.
Summary A Sparks Creative Director is responsible for leading the conceptual development, innovation, execution, and presentation of multidisciplinary projects, regardless of complexity, format, budget, or scale (i.e. events, exhibits, activations, immersive experiences). This role sets the creative vision and inspires the team to deliver work that is strategically grounded, experientially compelling, utterly unique and original, and aligned with client goals. In other words, you invent and create incredible experiences and guide the team to develop and execute them to perfection.
Core areas of experience and expertise ideally include large‑scale corporate/B2B events, exhibition and trade show experience design, and/or experiential/live activations. Candidates are favored with a background in either graphic design or environmental design (or both), and experience working on projects and new business/RFPs. This mid‑to‑senior‑level creative role requires high creative autonomy, leadership capability, and technical fluency. The position requires ability to direct large‑scale and complex projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute to departmental growth through innovation, best practices, and thought leadership.
Role This role supports our Creative Team and is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring 2–3 days per week in‑office based out of one of the following areas:
Dallas, TX
Philadelphia, PA
Detroit, MI
Fort Wayne, IN
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provides creative leadership and direction across the entire project lifecycle.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of multiple disciplines and communication channels, including environmental design, art direction, copywriting, and creative strategy.
Defines the creative process, best practices, and standards for execution; provides consistent feedback and mentorship to elevate the team’s performance.
Works in close partnership with copywriters, designers, and other creatives to ensure visual and verbal alignment in all deliverables.
Leads the team in developing and articulating clear, compelling creative concepts that solve problems and uncover new opportunities.
Reviews and approves final creative outputs, ensuring they meet client expectations and adhere to brand standards, current trends, and industry best practices.
Serves as the primary creative liaison to clients—presenting overarching ideas, navigating feedback, and managing revisions with strategic insight and confidence.
Demonstrates expert‑level proficiency in relevant creative tools and platforms.
Collaborates across departments (production, fabrication, account direction) to ensure creative integrity and seamless project execution.
Leads brainstorming sessions and creative workshops to inspire breakthrough ideas and transform good concepts into great ones.
Has a deep understanding of and utilization capability for AI tools for both design and productivity.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in design or relevant field or equivalent experience.
8‑10 years of design or creative direction experience at a major experiential or similar agency.
Travel Requirements Travel up to 25%
What We Offer
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Parental Leave
Life, Accident and Disability
Retirement with Company Match
Paid Time Off
Diversity Commitment At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Summary A Sparks Creative Director is responsible for leading the conceptual development, innovation, execution, and presentation of multidisciplinary projects, regardless of complexity, format, budget, or scale (i.e. events, exhibits, activations, immersive experiences). This role sets the creative vision and inspires the team to deliver work that is strategically grounded, experientially compelling, utterly unique and original, and aligned with client goals. In other words, you invent and create incredible experiences and guide the team to develop and execute them to perfection.
Core areas of experience and expertise ideally include large‑scale corporate/B2B events, exhibition and trade show experience design, and/or experiential/live activations. Candidates are favored with a background in either graphic design or environmental design (or both), and experience working on projects and new business/RFPs. This mid‑to‑senior‑level creative role requires high creative autonomy, leadership capability, and technical fluency. The position requires ability to direct large‑scale and complex projects, mentor junior staff, and contribute to departmental growth through innovation, best practices, and thought leadership.
Role This role supports our Creative Team and is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring 2–3 days per week in‑office based out of one of the following areas:
Dallas, TX
Philadelphia, PA
Detroit, MI
Fort Wayne, IN
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provides creative leadership and direction across the entire project lifecycle.
Possesses a comprehensive understanding of multiple disciplines and communication channels, including environmental design, art direction, copywriting, and creative strategy.
Defines the creative process, best practices, and standards for execution; provides consistent feedback and mentorship to elevate the team’s performance.
Works in close partnership with copywriters, designers, and other creatives to ensure visual and verbal alignment in all deliverables.
Leads the team in developing and articulating clear, compelling creative concepts that solve problems and uncover new opportunities.
Reviews and approves final creative outputs, ensuring they meet client expectations and adhere to brand standards, current trends, and industry best practices.
Serves as the primary creative liaison to clients—presenting overarching ideas, navigating feedback, and managing revisions with strategic insight and confidence.
Demonstrates expert‑level proficiency in relevant creative tools and platforms.
Collaborates across departments (production, fabrication, account direction) to ensure creative integrity and seamless project execution.
Leads brainstorming sessions and creative workshops to inspire breakthrough ideas and transform good concepts into great ones.
Has a deep understanding of and utilization capability for AI tools for both design and productivity.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in design or relevant field or equivalent experience.
8‑10 years of design or creative direction experience at a major experiential or similar agency.
Travel Requirements Travel up to 25%
What We Offer
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Parental Leave
Life, Accident and Disability
Retirement with Company Match
Paid Time Off
Diversity Commitment At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristics protected by federal, state or local laws.
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