Director of Design

The Director of Design heads the in-house Creative Services team, which fulfills the design needs across the Museum, including print, digital, environmental, motion graphics, and art direction. Reporting to the Deputy Director, Audience Development, the Director of Design leads the development and execution of a distinctive, innovative, and consistent visual presence for a design-forward institution across all media.  

Department: Graphic Design
Reports to: Deputy Director, Audience Development
Date posted: June 27, 2024
FLSA Status: Exempt
Schedule: Full-time; 35 hours/week

Responsibilities:

  • Refine and refresh the museum’s visual presence across a wide range of materials and treatments. Translate design briefs into effective designs for distinct constituencies, while maintaining visual consistency, brand guidelines across all media, and best practices in accessibility.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the Museum to ideate, art direct, design, and produce a range of projects, including,
    • production of promotional materials (multichannel advertising campaigns, fundraising collateral, direct mail solicitations, event invitations, newsletters, educational materials),
    • digital platforms (website UX; email marketing assets; motion graphics, animations, and development of video assets for use across platforms)
    • environmental graphics (wayfinding, informational signage, event decor)
    • product design (product and package design to support Retail initiatives
  • Take a leadership role in the execution of graphic design within the Museums exhibition program:
    • Serve as in-house designer for the Museum’s collection exhibition(s) and installations; design and produce effective, compelling, and accessible wall text panels, labels, wayfinding, etc consistent with the Museums institutional graphic identity.
    • Lead selection of and supervise external graphic designers to support loan exhibitions; act as in-house designer for select loan exhibitions. 
    • Liaise with catalog designers and publications staff, as well as exhibition designer and curators, to translate the style of exhibition catalogs into exhibition graphic design.
  • Motivate and lead design staff by serving as a compassionate mentor; oversee hiring, performance review, professional development, and administration for the department.
  • Supervise production of all deliverables, ensuring that all materials maintain the museum’s high standards, and meet targeted budgets and timelines.
  • Regularly and proactively present the studio’s work to senior staff, acting as internal advocate of the brand able to convey the rationale for design decisions to key stakeholders.
  • Provide design counsel to senior museum staff as requested.  

Requirements:

  • Formal training in graphic design.
  • Extensive experience in graphic design, especially advertising, print collateral, motion graphics, environmental design, wayfinding, and art direction. Experience in website / UX design and video production a plus.
  • Fluent in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, AfterEffects, Figma, and Keynote/PPT. Familiarity with project management software preferred (AirTable, Basecamp).
  • Advanced knowledge and experience in production across various forms of production.
  • Excellent verbal communication, including presentation skills.
  • Experienced manager who can foster a collaborative team environment.
  • Passion for the arts and experience working with an arts or cultural presenter preferred
  • Knowledge of or interest in Jewish culture a plus

Salary Range for Position: $110,000 - $125,000

In addition to cover letter and resume, applicants must submit their design portfolio/website to be considered for this position.

Send Resume with Cover Letter To:

Director, Human Resources
The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128

212.423.3232

The Jewish Museum is committed to diversifying its staff and encourages individuals of all abilities and ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds to apply for this position. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.

The Jewish Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.