Lead Design Manager, Concepts (Events) - Rivian

About Us:

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. 

 

As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. 

Role Summary:

The Concept Design Team creates immersive, brand-forward experiences across events, activations, and physical spaces that communicate the Rivian brand and help broaden our reach with new audiences. As Lead Design Manager, you will lead the development and execution of scalable event concepts, guiding them from idea to completion. This role requires a creative problem solver who can collaborate cross-functionally, document processes, and scale experiences while maintaining the highest standards of design and storytelling. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless execution of events that engage and inspire our audiences.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the creative direction and execution of experiential events, activations, and branded environments, ensuring alignment with Rivian's brand values and event strategy.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to develop event concepts, including spatial layouts, mood boards, and design packages that are scalable across multiple locations and formats.
• Present, for executive approval and alignment, a holistic vision of the experiential design with business objectives outlined.
• Create and maintain detailed documentation, including schematic and design development packages, ensuring all deliverables meet project goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Lead all scope creation, sourcing, and bid evaluation for our vendors and fabricators.
• Manage relationships with vendors, fabricators, and production teams to ensure the highest quality execution of event designs, with an emphasis on scalability and repeatability.
• Oversee the production process from concept through installation, providing creative direction and feedback to ensure consistency and quality.
• Conduct site visits and surveys to assess event spaces, ensuring all design and operational requirements are met.
• Stay current on trends in event design, technology, and experiential marketing, introducing new ideas and processes to elevate Rivian's event experiences.
• Ensure meticulous documentation of design decisions and revisions, contributing to the development of scalable frameworks for future events.
• Lead internal creative reviews and brainstorming sessions to refine the event design process and inspire cross-functional teams continuously.
• Create and maintain a calendar of design and execution tasks for the marketing calendar of events.
• Work closely with the Furniture & Styling and Architectural Strategy teams to ensure event spaces are fully realized, supporting Rivian’s design standards and prototype initiatives.
• Contribute to the overall team culture, fostering collaboration, innovation, and design excellence.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in experiential design, event design, or related fields, with proven experience managing scalable event processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in experiential design, architecture, interior design, or related discipline.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating your ability to design and execute events and activations across a range of scales and formats.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple projects at different stages of development.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working across teams to manage complex projects.
• Proficiency in design tools such as AutoDesk, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), and Figma, with a focus on creating scalable design packages.
• Knowledge of event production constraints, including timelines, budgets, and logistics, and the ability to document these processes for future use.
• Willingness to travel and participate in on-site event installations.
• Strong understanding of event technology, fabrication processes, material sourcing, and the ability to document these processes for future projects.
• Willingness to travel and participate in on-site event installations.

Pay Disclosure:

Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $125,000 to $156,000 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

 

Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment.

Company Statements:

Equal Opportunity

Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law. 

 

Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. 

 

Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.  

 

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.