Art and Design Manager na Living Planet Aquarium

Position: Art & Design Manager

Salary: $56,000 – 68,000

Position Summary
The Art & Design Manager is a dynamic and strategic leader who manages a team of six creative professionals in the development of creative concepts and visual solutions for a wide range of projects. This role requires a proven people leader, preferably with experience managing creative teams, who thrives in a collaborative environment. The Art & Design Manager oversees the full creative process from concept to completion, ensuring high-quality, on-brand, and effective collateral for print, digital, video, exhibits, and other mediums.

This individual is responsible for mentoring and motivating the creative team, managing project timelines, and communicating progress and outcomes to senior leadership. The ideal candidate is both a visionary and a hands-on contributor who can balance big-picture strategy with tactical execution.

Institution Summary:

At Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, we bring Earth’s ecosystems to life. Since opening our Draper facility in 2014, we have welcomed over 10 million visitors and provided educational experiences to more than 650,000 students. With a major expansion underway, we’re on track to become the largest aquarium in the Mountain West and one of the top five in the country. Be part of this exciting journey while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in design or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of professional design experience
• 2+ years in a people leadership role—preferably leading creative professionals

Preferred Qualifications

• Innovative and forward-thinking; open to experimentation
• Experience designing for exhibitions with live animals
• Self-motivated, organized, and decisive
• Ability to shift seamlessly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution
• Proven project management experience, including delivering updates to leadership
• Critical Skills & Competencies
• Strong expertise in design principles, best practices, and brand strategy
• Ability to inspire, lead, and develop a diverse creative team under tight deadlines
• Skilled at maintaining style guides and brand standards
• Exceptional planning and organizational skills for managing multiple projects and priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and visual communication skills
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud
• Confident presenter to internal and external stakeholders
• Commitment to LLPA’s Mission, Vision, and 5 Keys

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the creative process from concept through completion
• Translate organizational and marketing objectives into clear, actionable creative strategies
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Facilities & Fabrication, Education, and Husbandry
• Provide consistent project updates to leadership, including progress, risks, and solutions
• Oversee team workflow, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met
• Review work, provide constructive feedback, and guide creative development
• Maintain high standards of quality, innovation, and brand consistency
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop creative staff, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment
• Stay current on design trends, technologies, and industry best practices
• Ensure designs comply with ADA standards and support accessibility and inclusivity
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Marketing

Schedule Requirements

• Schedule options including 4x10 or 5x8
• Periodic evening, weekend, or holiday work required

Physical Demands

• Periods of standing and walking
• Extended periods of sitting at a computer or design station
• Special Working Conditions
• Work primarily in an attraction environment with moderate noise and occasional outdoor exposure

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status.   The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process.  Should you require accommodations, please contact [email protected].