Design Associate

Job Description

Job Description

About R. Jack Balthazar

R. Jack Balthazar is a full-service event design + build firm serving high-end agencies and independent producers. With in-house floral, carpentry, and fabrication teams, we design and produce inspired décor and immersive environments for over 200 events annually, both nationally and internationally.

About the Role

We are seeking a mid-level Design Associate with hands-on experience in experiential event design and a passion for transforming creative concepts into stunning event environments. This individual will support and collaborate with our senior creative team and production leads on a wide range of projects, playing a key role in design development, sourcing, vendor coordination, and pre-visualization.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, resourceful, and comfortable balancing deadlines and deliverables across multiple projects. This role is ideal for someone with 2–4 years of relevant experience who is looking to take the next step in their creative career by deepening their skillset and increasing their impact on high-profile projects.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the creative team to interpret design briefs into tangible visual concepts and presentations (using Google Slides for visual decks, Sketch Up for rendering, Vectorworks for layout design)
• Attend and contribute to client meetings, vendor visits, site walkthroughs, and design reviews; summarize findings and spatial data in concise recaps.
• Support design execution by researching and sourcing furniture, finishes, textiles, florals, lighting, and props.
• Create and maintain design documentation including mood boards, design decks, material palettes, and floor plans.
• Communicate with our trusted print vendor + internal print dept. on job print needs. (must have working knowledge of Illustrator)
• Track and manage all sourcing logistics: order status, vendor communication, shipments, and inventory flow.
• Coordinate with internal departments (fabrication, florals, décor, carpentry) and external vendors to align creative intent with production realities.
• Stay current with design trends, materials, and innovations relevant to event environments and experiential spaces.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of experience in event design, production design, or a related creative field.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop and Illustrator), SketchUp, and basic rendering tools (Vray or similar).
• Familiarity with drafting software like Vectorworks is a plus.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to translate abstract references into executable design concepts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and workstreams.
• Ability to work on-site, attend installs, and travel as needed.
• Valid California Driver’s License with clean driving record.
• Must pass background check and drug screening.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Events Industry: 1 year (Required)
• SketchUp: 2 years (Required)
• Vectorworks: 1 year (Preferred)
• Adobe Creative Suite: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License / Real ID (Required)

Work Location: In person only

R. Jack Balthazar is a full-service event design+ build firm primarily working in support of independent event producers and agencies. With our skilled in-house carpentry, fabrication and floral teams, R. Jack Balthazar is able to envision, design, produce, and install all matter of inspired decor and execute complete space transformations for 200+ events annually across the US, and internationally.

Company Description

R. Jack Balthazar is a full-service event design+ build firm primarily working in support of independent event producers and agencies. With our skilled in-house carpentry, fabrication and floral teams, R. Jack Balthazar is able to envision, design, produce, and install all matter of inspired decor and execute complete space transformations for 200+ events annually across the US, and internationally.