Creative Director

Description

SUMMARY

DI exists to liberate people from mediocre experiences and to create remarkable ones. Our people make the remarkable possible through an unwavering display of uncommon commitment each day.

The Cultural Practice at DI is seeking a Creative Director to lead creative teams and collaborate closely with clients to bring cohesive, visionary projects to life. This role emphasizes expertise in museum and exhibit design, content curation, space planning, and storytelling. The Creative Director combines strategic leadership, problem-solving, and creative insight to develop solutions tailored to each client. They leverage advanced design methodologies, stay at the forefront of emerging trends, and possess a deep understanding of architectural construction and Interpersonal communication daily. Managing multiple projects and teams, they champion award-winning experiential designs across museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions.
 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS may include but are not limited to:

• Lead, support and contribute to the project team's executed design solutions and deliverables for assigned projects
• Specializes in project leadership for cultural institutions, museums, and exhibits by actively welcoming responsibilities for leading large, high-profile, and complex projects for community institutions that create lasting social engagement
• Acts as a guiding voice by establishing, implementing and reinforcing the creative vision for any given project
• Fosters a team culture that prioritizes a commitment to excellence, creativity, and passion to create visionary concepts and innovative ideas
• Directs and collaborates with multidisciplinary groups both internally and externally to ensure project success including Designers (Graphic, Digital, Production, Technical, and Media), Writers, Developers, Engineers, and Architects
• Works to embed accessibility and inclusivity throughout the project phases, including planning, exhibition content design, and programing
• Manages multiple projects, processes and teams in a professional manner by consistently ensuring deadlines are being met and the work meets client expectations
• Leads client presentations, communications and workshops to ensure presentation meets DI standards
• Provides quality assurance and quality control solutions throughout all phases of Design - Conceptual, Schematic, Design Development and Construction Documentation
• Consistently and proactively exudes a “go where needed" attitude
• Actively develop project plans while considering available resources and project budgets
• Utilizes effective leadership practices to mentor, develop, and elevate the Creative Studio culture
• Ability to maintain a flexible travel schedule and travel on short notice based on client and project need
• Steward and manage process improvements and best practices within the department
• Articulates and shares information and knowledge as a DI subject matter expert
• Champions, mentors, and supports the success of Creative Studio team members
• Provides leadership, guidance, and development to direct reports and documents performance expectations and challenges as needed
• Holds weekly one-on-one touch base with direct reports to review project assignments, status and any areas of concern

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Demonstrate a strong proficiency with the following programs: Google Workspace, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch Up, Revit, Rhino,and BIM 360
• Ability to create digital or hand sketches in order to convey design concepts
• Consistently shares their skills and knowledge to support their direct reports and the Creative Studio team members
• Ability to give direction and constructive critique and document situations as needed
• Is consistently and proactively an exemplary team player and role model
• Consistently provides leadership in the midst of challenges
• Maintains quality control of design documents by all Creative Studio team members
• Consistently demonstrates development of personal time management and multi-tasking skills and provides direction and assistance to team members to do the same
• Is a master storyteller and believes a strong narrative provides the foundation for remarkable experiences 
• Demonstrates independent thinking, solutions and autonomy with day-to-day tasks, and project assignments
• Demonstrates the ability to provoke thought and challenge conventional norms while maintaining a humble and self-reflective demeanor
• Possess a knowledge of material and fabrication methods relevant to design
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship management, including managing and mentoring multiple project teams
• Experience with business development, estimating, writing proposals and creative briefs
• Be bold with creative vision and don't shy away from the impossible
• Actively contributes to recruiting and team development for Creative Studio in collaboration with designated People Team members
• Champion and contribute to Creative Studio vision plans
• Excellent time management skills and critical attention to detail at all times

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.F.A) in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, or related field required
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in an environmental or branded environments design role required 
• At least 6 years experience in museums, cultural, and/or exhibit design field required
• Proven written and verbal communication skills with clients and team members, including delivery of constructive feedback as needed
• Sound judgment, business sensibility, and discretion required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, climb, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• Employee must be able to talk and hear

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Due to our onsite Fabrication process, the work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, employees may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. 

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR TEAM?

Permission to play at DI starts with the ability to be a team player, possess a positive attitude while under a tight deadline and demonstrate an uncommon commitment to your work. Please visit our website (www.dimin.com) to see some of the amazing work we do!

This is a salary (exempt) position. DI offers a full benefit package including Medical, Dental and Vision insurance along with Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance and Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity. Additionally, we offer a 401(k) with a match, Health Savings Account match, Paid Time Off (PTO), 7 paid holidays plus an employee chosen Floating Holiday annually, and paid Parental Leave.

In 2018, DI incorporated the Great Game of Business principles into the way we do things. The program is designed to create a business of business people, provide transparency into company performance and directly tie daily behavior to impact DIs performance. GGOB allows for the potential of quarterly bonuses as company goals are achieved.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements. No phone calls please. For more information about working at DI and a full list of available opportunities, please visit https://dimin.com/about/careers.

Qualifications