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Job description
CREATIVE DIRECTOR – THEMED ENTERTAINMENT
Adirondack Studios (ADKS) is hiring a Creative Director!
ADKS designs, builds, and installs scenic and themed environments for venues ranging from theme parks to casinos, museums, live shows, retail, and public art. We have been in business since 1975, and our work is seen around the world. This is rewarding work with a company that is recognized as a leading force in the Themed Entertainment industry.
As ADKS Creative Director, you will bring big, transformative ideas to the table and motivate cross-functional teams to realize grand visions. You will examine all aspects of client briefs to create thoughtful, viable, and unexpected creative solutions. ADKS is looking for an experienced creative leader who blends visionary strategic thinking and art direction. Your work is to inspire game-changing ideas in collaboration with our team of experts and articulate them into clear and powerful concepts. The ideal candidate will provide creative and design authority as well as ensure extraordinary designs are produced on time and on budget. ADKS collaborates with design firms, subcontractors, business development personnel, technical and production departments, clients, and vendors to produce quality and engaging designs.
Ideal Candidate:
Established and highly respected professional with a distinguished pedigree in Themed Entertainment
Exceptional ideation and conceptual thinking skills, with the ability to generate and develop original, valuable ideas
Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence across multiple art and design disciplines.
Deep understanding of visual communication and design principles, including graphic design, illustration, color theory, 3D modeling, show set, architectural development, and presentation design
Proven ability to lead creative teams, facilitate charrettes, build on ideas, and guide teams toward shared artistic and project goals
Strong mentor and communicator with the ability to listen, adapt, collaborate, and encourage experimentation
Demonstrated ability to quickly understand and respond to creative prompts with accuracy and insight
Strong creative and artistic aesthetic as well as a commitment to design excellence
Recognized industry reputation, relationships, or accomplishments that enhance ADKS’s market presence and credibility
Proven ability to teach, mentor, and elevate creative talent
Ability to support and partner with renowned Creative Design firms
Key Responsibilities
Provide creative design authority across company-wide decisions, establishing and maintaining ADKS’s creative vision, quality standards, narrative, guest experience, and thematic integrity
Lead creative direction for themed environments, graphics, show sets, and related design disciplines from concept through production, fabrication, installation, and closeout.
Translate client goals and project requirements into compelling, story-driven, feasible, and budget-conscious creative solutions
Oversee creative deliverables across all design phases, including but not limited to key art, renderings, models, maquettes, presentations, and graphics
Collaborate with design partners, clients, project teams, vendors, department heads, and production partners to align creative objectives, scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables
Serve as creative quality control, ensuring all work meets ADKS and client standards while maintaining consistency across projects and deliverables
Lead, mentor, hire, and develop collaborative Creative Design teams across multiple locations, fostering collaboration, unity, creativity, and continuous improvement
Establish and improve creative processes, systems, and standards that strengthen design operations and project delivery
Develop, manage, and track creative design budgets, schedules, staffing, scopes, and subcontractors in partnership with project management and design leadership.
Support project planning, proposals, scope development, cost estimating, and successful delivery of creative design services
Build and maintain strong client relationships while representing client interests and ADKS’s creative capabilities, quality, and reputation
Support business development through client presentations, new market opportunities, design approaches, proposals, and project pursuits
Represent the Creative Design Department in cross-functional collaboration and company-wide strategic planning
Identify solutions to creative and project challenges while ensuring successful handoff of design packages to design partners, clients, production, fabrication, and installation teams
Maintain proficiency with relevant design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, Microsoft Office, and visual communication/sketching
Travel as needed for client meetings, design reviews, business development, sales support, and project requirements
Demonstrate strategic thinking, strong communication, adaptability, accountability, relationship-building skills, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in fine art, Theater arts, Architecture, Experience Design, Industrial Design or similar design field, or equivalent professional experience
15+ years of experience as a Creative Director, Art Director, or similar creative leadership role
Working knowledge of relevant design software including Adobe Creative Suite as well as familiarity utilizing digital 3d modelling programs (i.e. Rhino, SKP, and/3dsmax etc.)
Familiarity with the MS Office suite, including Word and Excel
Ability to communicate visually via hand sketching or similar is preferred
Strong organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills
Strong creative vision with the ability to implement
Ability to work in a collaborative manner with clients as well as ADKS management and staff
Benefits include:
Paid Personal/Sick time immediately upon hire
401K Retirement Plan after length of service milestone
Year-end bonus eligibility based upon company performance
No-cost Long-Term Disability insurance after length of service milestone
Three options for Medical insurance as well as Dental and Vision insurance after length of service milestone
Paid Vacation time immediately after hire
Paid Holidays
The salary for this position is dependent upon the market rate of the geographic location and will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
Range of rates: Argyle/Albany, NY: $120K – $165K | Orlando, FL: $135K – $195K | Pasadena/Los Angeles, CA: $160K – $225K
Adirondack Studios is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for this full-time, salaried position without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
We are sure you will find Adirondack Studios an amazing place to work and look forward to hearing from you.
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Worksite address
california, MO, 65018, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.