Creative Director

Los Angeles County Museum Of Natural History Foundation•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking a Creative Director to lead the creative strategy, design direction, and image content for the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC). The role strengthens the NHMLAC brand and advances its creative vision across onsite, print, online, on-air, and digital media. It plans and implements creative strategies and concepts for branding and communications, including marketing, collateral, advertising, signage, web, digital, video, social media, and retail, in collaboration with Marketing, Communications, Exhibitions, Education, Programs, Guest Relations, and Advancement. The Creative Director oversees the Creative Services division, including the Senior Designer and Associate Director, Creative Production, and reports directly to the Chief Communications Officer. The position leads brand assessment, refresh, and implementation; directs staff and contractors; manages design projects from concept through completion; and supports efficient workflows, quality work, and on-time delivery. It also represents the creative function in meetings, leads design project kickoffs, and ensures marketing materials follow NHMLAC design style guides. NHMLAC is a nonprofit organization comprising the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. Its mission is to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for the natural and cultural worlds. The organization emphasizes adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional values, and is committed to a welcoming, safe, and respectful workplace. The annual salary is $167,400–$180,000, plus benefits. This is a full-time, regular, exempt position. Applicants must submit a cover letter, current resume, and list of 3–4 references. Applications are reviewed immediately and continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Requirements

BA or BFA in Design or another relevant applied art concentration.
Experience working in-house for an institution and overseeing its branding efforts.
8–10 years of experience in the design field, including art directing photo shoots.
At least 3 years of experience managing others and/or leading teams.
Excellent design skills and an eye for typography, color, photography, and illustration.
Excellent organizational and communication skills.
Ability to lead, problem-solve, and manage feedback.
Expert skill in Adobe Creative Suite.
Strong record of collaboration and ensuring project completion.
Good track record of developing people.

Nice To Haves

Motion graphics experience.
Figma experience.

Responsibilities

Direct, plan, and implement brand strategies, overall concepts, and creative work for Museum branding and visual communications, including marketing collateral, advertising, signage, web, digital, video, social media, and retail.
Lead brand assessment, refresh, and implementation internally and externally.
Direct and evaluate design staff and contractor work to translate the Museum's brand into visual communications.
Oversee studio projects by assigning work, evaluating output, maintaining workflow and quality, and refining production systems to support on-time delivery.
Empower creative staff and facilitate information flow between Creative Services and other departments.
Manage overall design brand standards and ensure marketing materials comply with NHMLAC design style guides.
Manage design projects from concept through completion.
Represent the creative function in meetings and lead design project kickoffs.
Develop and implement brand design strategies in branded communications.