About Discovery Place:

One of the leading hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable the community to understand, enjoy, and apply science to their lives. Through four museums, Discovery Place Science in Uptown, Discovery Place Nature, Discovery Place Kids Huntersville and Discovery Place Kids Rockingham, plus virtual and in-person learning experiences outside of our Museums, Discovery Place is a leader in science education. Discovery Place serves over 750,000 people a year, shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change for our world.

General summary:

Discovery Place is looking for a talented and innovative Art Director. This is a hands-on design role responsible for creative vision, concept development and implementation of marketing campaigns for our four Museums, special exhibitions and organizational branding initiatives. The ideal candidate has advanced design skills across marketing platforms (digital, print, OOH and more) and the ability to independently see projects through to completion on time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee all marketing design projects, from concept to delivery. Manage, schedule and prioritize production of all marketing creative including digital, social, print, outdoor, signage and collateral.

• Working with marketing leaders, help define the creative vision for Discovery Place brand and marketing campaigns. Propose concepts and manage design implementation for all Discovery Place marketing campaigns and special exhibition promotions. Generate ideas and design solutions. Develop original creative.

• Manage brand projects to advance/evolve the Discovery Place brand and support Discovery Place strategic initiatives. Manage design agencies if needed.

• Responsible for protecting Discovery Place visual brand identities and brand integrity. Maintain and advocate brand standards across all Discovery Place platforms.

• This position requires the maturity to take direction, ability to listen and respond to feedback and closely collaborate with others.

• Serve as a one-person inhouse creative agency and marketing designer, providing a top level of design strategy and creative implementation to internal clients.

• Collaborate with teams across the organization and at each Museum to translate Museum experiences and initiatives into compelling visual design. Coordinate with exhibit/experience design and exhibition teams.

• Manage print vendors. Create finished artwork files and prepare instructions for printers or installers. Review proofs as needed. Supervise other vendors such as sign installers. Oversee production and installation process. Responsible for quality control and press checks as needed. Track print invoices for payment and budget.

• Maintain organized and complete files of logos, photos and project artwork and other source materials.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications:

• Must have 5 years’ fulltime professional design experience, minimally as a Graphic Designer, preferably with experience as an Art Director or Creative Director. This is a mid/senior career role, not entry-level.

• Must have strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite with a good understanding of industry trends and creative tools.

• Must be able to manage and track multiple projects at the same time and complete those projects on time and budget.

• Experience in digital design is required, animation a plus. WordPress CMS preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in graphic design or equivalent experience required.

• Must have experience managing production of print projects.

• Self-directed with problem solving skills and ability to meet deadlines without supervision.

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, as workflow requires.

Application must be filled out in it's entirety and must include links to a professional portfolio of client/employer (non-student) projects and a cover letter. Portfolio and cover letter is required for consideration.

Working Conditions: We are currently working in a hybrid model. This position is required to be in the office several designated days each week, with opportunities for remote work. This is not a remote-only position and not suited for someone unable or unwilling to work onsite in Uptown Charlotte several days a week.

Travel: Must have ability to travel to our four local museums occasionally, with very limited other travel.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. Other duties may be assigned. This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.