Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design

The Manager, Exhibitions Graphic Design is responsible for guiding exhibition graphic design projects from initial concept through production completion, while implementing a creative strategy for the Museum’s exhibition spaces. This role spans print and digital design, environmental graphics, and presentation materials, and includes supervising designers and coordinating across internal teams and external vendors.

Location and Employment Details

• Workplace location: Los Angeles – Academy Museum (onsite)
• Job type: Full Time–Regular
• Classification: Salary (Exempt)
• Department: Exhibitions
• Reports to: Director, Exhibition Design
• Compensation: USD 80,000 - 85,000 per year

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with curators and exhibition designers to develop cohesive design strategies aligned with exhibition intent and focused on enhancing visitor experience.
• Create design mock-ups and visual prototypes to communicate concepts, materiality, and legibility.
• Work closely with Brand Creative to support branding and creative identity through visual materials, while maintaining the Museum’s overall branding and identity.
• Coordinate with departments including collections, fabrication, lighting, AV, and media production to ensure design materials match exhibition needs.
• Supervise the junior graphic designer and temporary staff, providing feedback, guidance, and support for professional development.
• Design and produce a range of print and digital materials, including tile lockups, wall murals, didactic texts, object labels, title cards for gallery media, digital slide shows, wayfinding signages, facsimiles, and reproductions.
• Ensure exhibition graphics meet Museum special needs and visual accessibility requirements, including ADA compliance.
• Manage concept-to-production creative delivery while balancing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Oversee project workflows, coordinating schedules, budgets, estimates, contracts, and assignments, including negotiation of vendor costs and terms.
• Oversee artwork reproductions, including resizing, resolution requirements, touch-ups as needed, and preparation of digital files for production.
• Oversee external production vendors onsite and ensure production methods support rotations and longevity of exhibitions.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communications, fine arts, or related
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of design-related professional experience
• Management: Minimum of 1 year of experience managing staff
• Strong creative, conceptual, and critical thinking abilities with expertise in visual storytelling
• Superior typographical skills
• Experience managing print production and knowledge of printing processes
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Topaz
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong attention to detail and proofreading ability to ensure accurate, high-quality work
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Professional experience working independently and effectively with others while managing deadlines, budgets, and vendors
• Ability to multi-task and create an organized production schedule that includes time for both scheduled and unscheduled projects
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion

Technologies

• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Topaz
• Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree
• Experience with project management software such as AirTable
• Experience designing graphics for three-dimensional and physical environments, including creating and presenting environmental visualizations
• Experience in motion graphics
• Familiarity with architectural drawings, including their formats, principles, and terminology
• Familiarity with how lighting affects graphics
• Knowledge of current immersive design trends, technologies, and museum exhibition best practices

Physical Demands

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while supervising vendors onsite
• Ability to occasionally use a ladder to install graphics

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 15 days of PTO, plus company-paid holidays
• Additional time off, including summer hours, winter hours, and a cultural floating holiday
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• 401k retirement plan with a company match
• Clean Air Commuter Program
• Employee Assistance Program through ComPsych Guidance Resources
• Wellness benefits through Cigna Healthcare
• Free access to 16,000+ online courses through LinkedIn Learning
• Free Academy membership screenings
• Free tickets and screenings at the Academy Museum
• Employee discounts through LifeMart and Working Advantage

Application and Portfolio Requirement

A portfolio is required as part of the application process. Please submit a PDF portfolio showcasing conceptual development, color, layout, typography, and a strong understanding of print materials and production methods.

Required Vaccination

• Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required, including any booster vaccinations as applicable
• Exception: Medical and religious accommodations approved by the Office of People & Culture