Design Jobs in Mystic, CT

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Creative Director

Mystic Aquarium Mystic, CT

Mystic, CT

Today

$100k - $120k/yr Full time Manager Marketing Ad Creative

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Job Description

Lead Mystic Aquarium’s visual storytelling and serve as the primary creative voice across brand, mission, and campaign execution.

Responsibilities

Act as the lead creative voice for Mystic Aquarium, setting visual direction for marketing and communications channels
Turn organizational goals, marketing strategy, and campaign objectives into clear creative concepts and visual storytelling
Maintain, protect, and evolve Mystic Aquarium’s visual brand across digital, print, and environmental uses
Set and uphold high creative quality standards while keeping outputs authentic to Mystic Aquarium’s mission, audiences, and brand
Create mission-driven concepts supporting attendance, membership, fundraising, events, education, and conservation awareness
Stay current on creative, video, design, digital, and social trends, and recommend opportunities to refine the creative approach
Lead Mystic Aquarium’s video strategy and production from concept development and storyboarding through filming, editing, and final delivery
Partner with the Sr. Video Producer to produce video for social media, digital advertising, web, public relations, fundraising, internal communications, and other organizational needs
Provide hands-on video production support including filming, directing, lighting, audio, and related production needs
Develop storytelling that makes complex topics (animal care, research, conservation, rescue, education) accessible and engaging for broad audiences
Capture planned and real-time content across the Aquarium, including animal stories, events, interviews, conservation initiatives, behind-the-scenes moments, and breaking media opportunities
Ensure video is developed and optimized for different platforms, audiences, and formats
Provide creative direction for the graphic design function
Oversee creative asset development for advertising, social media, web, email, signage, events, exhibits, fundraising, presentations, and other needs
Ensure consistency across visual identity elements including typography, imagery, photography, graphics, and brand assets
Review and approve creative work and deliver constructive feedback that improves both individual projects and the overall brand
Collaborate with internal teams to identify the strongest visual approach to shared goals rather than handling isolated requests
Work closely with the Digital Marketing Manager to develop social and digital creative concepts
Understand platform-specific creative requirements and audience behaviors for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and emerging channels
Develop social-first creative designed to attract attention, encourage engagement, and strengthen audience connection to Mystic Aquarium
Identify opportunities to test new formats and storytelling techniques while maintaining brand integrity
Build and reinforce a strong, recognizable visual identity across digital channels
Lead, mentor, and develop video and graphic design professionals; set expectations, priorities, and creative standards
Assign projects based on organizational priorities, team capacity, and individual strengths
Provide regular coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities
Foster a collaborative creative culture focused on curiosity, experimentation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Ensure the team understands both what is being produced and the strategic purpose behind it
Manage the creative process end-to-end: brief and concept development, production, review, approval, and delivery
Create processes to help the creative team prioritize requests and focus resources on the highest-impact needs
Manage multiple projects at once, balancing planned campaigns with time-sensitive and unexpected opportunities
Develop and maintain production schedules to keep projects on time and to standard
Manage video and photography equipment, creative assets, file organization, and digital asset libraries
Coordinate external photographers, videographers, freelancers, agencies, and other vendors as needed
Assist with managing creative production budgets and equipment investments
Partner with internal teams including Animal Care, Research, Conservation, Education, Development, Guest Experience, Membership, and others to identify compelling ways to tell stories
Collaborate with subject matter experts to support engaging storytelling while maintaining scientific and organizational accuracy
Support earned media storytelling by helping develop and capture visual assets
Represent Marketing and Mystic Aquarium professionally with internal and external partners

Requirements

5–7+ years of professional experience in creative production, video production, multimedia, marketing, advertising, communications, or related fields
Bachelor’s degree in film/video production, design, marketing, communications, visual arts, or related field preferred; equivalent experience and a demonstrated portfolio will be considered
Significant professional video production experience, including work with professional video cameras, lighting, audio, and production equipment
Minimum 2–3 years of experience leading, supervising, or managing creative professionals
Strong portfolio showing video storytelling, creative direction, and multimedia work across multiple platforms and audiences
Demonstrated ability to move between strategic creative direction and hands-on production
Strong understanding of visual storytelling, composition, brand development, and contemporary design principles
Experience developing creative for social media and digital platforms
Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, especially Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator (or comparable tools)
Strong project management and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including constructive creative feedback and collaboration across disciplines to translate complex information into visual stories

Technologies

Adobe Creative Cloud
Premiere Pro
After Effects
Photoshop
Illustrator
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Supplemental insurance
401(k) Qualified

Salary range

$100,000-$120,000 per year based on experience and expertise.

Physical demands

Time split between a typical office environment and active production work throughout Mystic Aquarium’s campus
Office work: sit for extended periods, use computer equipment for detailed editing and design work, participate in meetings and phone calls
Production work: stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and move for extended periods; navigate stairs, uneven terrain, and potentially wet or slick surfaces near marine habitats; hold cameras or other equipment steady for sustained periods
Lifting/carrying: set up video, lighting, audio, and event equipment up to 40 pounds; transport equipment across campus and to off-site locations
May involve working around animals, animal habitats, behind-the-scenes areas, events, and active guest spaces while following safety and animal welfare protocols
Some assignments include outdoor work in heat, cold, rain, and humidity; may involve travel, conservation or animal rescue activities, and other nontraditional production environments
Flexibility to capture stories and events outside traditional office hours, including occasional evenings, weekends, and early mornings

Preferred experience

Developing content for mission-driven, nonprofit, cultural, educational, science, conservation, tourism, or visitor-attraction organizations
Producing content in dynamic environments where opportunities may be unpredictable or time-sensitive
Managing freelancers, agencies, production vendors, or creative budgets
Photography, motion graphics, animation, and/or other multimedia production
Understanding of digital marketing, audience engagement, and how creative contributes to organizational and revenue goals

Key competencies

Creative Vision: fresh ideas and a strong creative point of view aligned to broader organizational strategy
Storytelling: identifies compelling stories and builds emotional connections
Leadership: inspires, develops, and provides clear direction while maintaining standards and accountability
Brand Stewardship: protects, strengthens, and evolves a cohesive brand across applications
Strategic Thinking: connects creative projects to marketing, audience, revenue, and mission objectives
Collaboration: builds productive relationships across departments and balances stakeholder needs with brand priorities
Adaptability: shifts between long-term campaigns, day-to-day production, and unexpected opportunities
Hands-On Mentality: comfortable leading the creative function and participating in production when needed

Location: Mystic, CT (onsite)

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