At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission.  We welcome people from all walks of life into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

This is an 18-month Term assignment 

Job Summary:

With limited supervision, manage design projects, oversee art direction for both print and digital marketing materials, and execute hands-on design work. Author and review project briefs, set production schedules, manage budgets, and coordinate with external vendors.  Streamline processes, lead daily discussions with creative partners, and oversee a variety of marketing and brand design projects from start to finish. Guide the direction of the Aquarium's print and digital materials, improve creative processes, and collaborate closely with Marketing Operations and Content Strategy. Interact regularly with internal partners, organize projects through our digital platform Asana, and supervise freelance designers and staff members. Perform additional duties as required.

Core Activities:                                                                                                                                  

• Design effective and compelling, multichannel communication materials and that drive attendance and revenue by promoting the Aquarium’s brand, mission, and strategic goals.
• Determine project resources, manage team workloads and assign projects and tasks for optimum quality and efficiency in collaboration with Creative Director and Digital Brand Design Manager. Assess creative project workflows and support in the escalation of project risks to Creative Director and Marketing Operations.
• Assess quality and consistency of design and branding of projects, in collaboration with Creative Director, Content team, Operations team, and Design team.
• Conceptualize and strategize multifaceted, multimedia approaches to communication campaigns.
• Assist Creative Director with design direction and resource management for larger projects and/or workload overflow.
• Facilitate meetings with partners and colleagues as part of the design and production process (brainstorms, kickoffs, updates, etc.).
• Provide brand guidance and design direction on assigned projects (and in absence of Creative Director). Participate in evolution and maintenance of Aquarium brand guidelines.
• Maintain a current working knowledge of relevant design technology and tools, including PC and MAC based software and peripherals, relevant graphic design software including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro), PowerPoint/Keynote/Google Slides, Networking software and information storage and project management tools and software (Asana).
• Act as a liaison and key contact for cross-functional partners and departments (Operations, Content, Film & Video, Community)
• Participate in the selection of printers and design/illustration/photographers.
• Manage assigned project budgets: Responsible for remaining within budget on all costs associated with each project, client reporting procedures and documentation, purchase orders and invoicing approval and paperwork routing.
• Evaluate staff performance, coach and mentor, guide development opportunities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• BA in Graphic Design, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Experience working with external creative and production partners
• Demonstrated self-motivated creativity
• Consistent ability to create graphic concepts and design solutions that support the established brand visual identity and style of the Aquarium
• Positive approach to problem solving through analytical thinking and operational efficacy
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks, with project changes, and reliably meet deadlines
• A genuine passion for brand creative and creative operations; track record instilling operational excellence for a creative team
• Expertise in a variety of design software tools including Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint and/or similar presentation tools as well as other MS Office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• Sufficient design skill and experience to implement and enhance the institution's award-winning graphic design brand
• with minimal or no supervision
• Solid creative thinking and ability to provide relevant solutions
• Excellent knowledge of current design and communication trends, including typography,
• printing processes, paper products
• Strong photo-retouching and image manipulation skills
• Professional interaction within the department as well as with all aquarium employees and outside vendors
• Demonstrated experience in project management
• Demonstrated experience in brand management
• Demonstrated experience in people management
• Demonstrated experience working with budgets
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Minimum 9 years communication design experience
• Minimum 9 years production experience
• Minimum 9 years computer/tech experience
• Ability to work within, and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values
• Demonstrated commitment to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Leadership Competencies

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment
• Constant sitting, standing, walking, bending
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs
• Typical office environment, main aquarium and exhibits, occasional offsite events

Annual Compensation Range:

$93,500-$119,000 USD annually. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.