Job Description
PROJECT TEAM ROLE: Working in concert with the Herschend Creative Studios and a range of staff across the organization. Working with Creative Studios Team including Senior Director, Guest Experience Development, assigned Project Manager, other senior members of the HCS team and outside resources on assigned projects.
COMPLEXITY OF WORK:
You will be highly detail oriented, thrive in non-routine environments and capable of applying strategy and general policies to frequently changing situations. You must be able to inspire, effectively communicate, and execute creative concepts at a high level. Must be able to self-manage and work within established budgets.
YOU CAN EXPECT. .
To work on a variety of projects ranging from world-class exhibits/areas to graphics refresh that have never been done before – Ideas that are unproven and concepts that make people smile. To have fun and be treated with respect. To have real responsibility and ensure Vancouver projects are completed and BUILT. To work in an environment that is highly innovative. To have challenging work and a mile-a-minute pace.
But most of all, to find deep satisfaction in knowing that all the hard work put forth makes a difference in our world by helping to bring families closer together.
LOCATION & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is full-time at VAQ but may require some travel.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
40% Creative Direction/Project Development:
- Act as a “vision-keeper” for the Aquarium. Communicate, INSPIRE, and maintain facility intent.
- Conduct research, image searches, and stay up to date on aquarium best practices and new exhibits to create image strategies that develop aesthetic direction for projects that have never been done before! A key differentiator in this job is the creation of NEW guest stories and experiences. The ability to think outside of what is known, find benchmarks and inspiration and then conceive something unique is CRITICAL to the position.
- Direct design documentation that communicates all information required for the successful execution of show elements/exhibits.
- Develop the creative strategy and provide aesthetic direction to drive the overall attraction, revenue facility, festival, and guest experience elements for, and throughout the life of, assigned R&R projects. These efforts include, but are not limited to, directing storyline development, written treatments, creative options, concept design, graphics design, design development, material and color specification, lighting concepts and A/V design.
- Design with intent and budget alignment. Develop and present project concepts that are both executable and meet budgetary constraints.
- Identify talent and the resources necessary to execute and complete assigned projects.
- Direct the team’s work, or in certain cases developing the work to ensure it meets the project’s design intent and goals.
- Champion all guest “Memory-making” and “Edutainment” initiatives.
- Co-develop new guest experiences for targeted audiences that match storytelling with appropriate technologies and animal husbandry practices.
- Establish the delivery standards of shows, programs, animal encounters and other guest experiences that are scripted, staged, and set; enhance the guest experience, reach a wide variety of audiences, and support the Aquarium’s preferred visitor flow pattern.
- Maintain and demonstrate a strong knowledge about the Aquarium’s wildlife and exhibits.
- Work with Husbandry team to design “up-close”, barrier-free animal encounters and wildlife experiences that are safe for both animals, staff, and guests.
- Participate on project teams as producer, creative director or team member as assigned.
- Audit, and evaluate all shows and programs to ensure consistent delivery that is appropriate for the target audiences.
25% Art Direction/Fabrication:
- Redline drawings/packages to provide internal and external resources with feedback on submittals.
- Direct fabrication, construction, and implementation of project elements, with the goal of matching the project design documentation.
15% Communication and Documentation:
- Present design ideas, concepts, and documentation, to a variety of audiences, clients, and executive management, in a way that is both easy to understand and sells the idea. The ability to inspire a team and craft presentations that achieve the desired end result is CRITICAL to the position.
- Direct complete and clear design documentation that works for all members of the project team (including internal team, park leadership, construction team, etc.) and in a variety of capacities (including communication of project objectives, concept, design documentation, fabrication methodology and status).
- Develop scope documents, including but not limited to Scopes of Work, Deliverables Lists, Attraction Scope Documents, Audio Track Lists, Beat Lists, etc.
- File and retrieve documents, records and reports using Dropbox/MS Teams.
5% Coordination:
- Organize, populate, and maintain vendor/resource DropBoxes with content required for project kick-offs and other assignments.
- Administer A/V heavy meetings with ease, including setting up Zoom, Slack and physical meetings that include photo and video sharing.
5% Other:
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in Art, environmental design, architecture, interior design, or related field required. Minimum 10 years’ experience managing complex design projects required, 3-5 years’ experience with managing and leading creative design and delivery teams and projects; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Zoo/aquarium, Theme Park, Entertainment or Hospitality experience required.
RELATIONSHIPS: Must have high degree of tact and excellent communication skills to obtain favorable decisions and maintain good will. Must be courteous and polite in communications and be able to convey ideas in a non-confrontational manner in one-on-one situations, small groups and before large audiences at all levels, both inside and outside the company.
JUDGMENT, PLANNING, & INITIATIVE: Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, and discretion. Must be highly organized, adept at proofreading and the use of grammar and punctuation. Able to effectively manage multiple projects/tasks and multiple means of communication simultaneously and with efficiency. Must have exceptional level of visual discernment and quality control as well as exceptional attention to detail in each and every aspect of this position.
DEMEANOR: Curious, tenacious, and resourceful. This position faces tasks and situations never encountered before and will need to find the way from A to Z without step-by-step instructions. Fluid and multi-tasking. Able to find order in a world where everything is urgent and never lets a task fall off the radar. Should thrive in the details but be able to understand how their piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger picture.
SKILLS/JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must have advanced knowledge of a variety of computer software applications used in design, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Knowledge of Keynote, AutoCAD and SketchUp/ modelling software is helpful. Use of Mac is required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Responsible for managing teams of creative project personnel such as writers, artists, directors, scenic designers, media producers, programmers, graphic designers, etc. Also responsible for identifying and managing appropriate outside vendors and consultants. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies.
Compensation Range - $100,000 - $120,000 base pay per year + extended health & dental benefits
#J-18808-Ljbffr