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Ralph Appelbaum Associates is looking for a creative director to join its team in London.

Position profile

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) is seeking a full-time creative director (hybrid) to join our award-winning design studio in London which over the last 25 years has worked with museum and corporate clients across the UK and Europe.

At the heart of RAA’s design philosophy is the desire to seamlessly integrate the visitor experience and the architectural environment. Creative directors at RAA are responsible for establishing, articulating, and implementing the creative vision of each studio project. They are the lead voice within each project team, and act as the senior client liaison. The creative director must be able to drive the creative vision for multidisciplinary teams, providing direction to physical designers, visual designers, content teams, and, where appropriate, media designers. This highly motivated individual will be dedicated to creating museum projects that promote justice, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity in their project planning, exhibition content and design, programming, and community engagement. They will combine creativity and interpersonal skills to support our practice.

This position is hybrid, with a requirement to be in the studio two to three days per week and the option to balance in-person work in the London studio with working remotely depending on the needs of the studio and individual preferences.

Primary responsibilities:

• project direction: leads museum and cultural institution projects as design director, with a focus on projects that address topics of social justice, activism, and community
• promotes design: promotes design within the practice and invigorates it with vision, new ideas, high standards of excellence, and gravitas; Inspires impeccable craft and functionality for the creative presentation of ideas and messaging
• studio culture: demonstrates the practice’s cultural values both globally and domestically; Fosters EDAI and a respectful working environment, in hiring practices and daily culture, operations and delivery
• talent: utilises effective leadership practices to attract, mentor and identify talent
• communications and marketing: works in collaboration with marketing colleagues on the development and execution of proposals
• new business development: actively seeks out and cultivates new potential clients and projects.
• creative partnerships: identifies and manages creative resources as needed for collaborations and outside partnerships, including external design resources

Project-based specific responsibilities:

• leads multiple large and complex museum and cultural institution projects driving creative visions and processes
• leads the client communications of major projects, client presentations and workshops
• provides input and development to the visitor experience, including key program elements and anchor experiences
• develops projects’ key positioning and messaging during the formative phases
• manages creative teams (team management, client management, creative collaborator and sub-consultant selection and management)
• promotes design within the practice and invigorating it with vision, new ideas, high standards of excellence, and gravitas; inspiring impeccable craft and functionality for the creative presentation of ideas and messaging
• demonstrates the practice’s cultural values both globally and domestically; fostering EDAI and a respectful working environment in hiring practices and daily culture, operations and delivery
• utilises effective leadership practices to attract, mentor and identify talent, drive recruitment and development, and elevate studio culture
• works in collaboration with marketing colleagues on the development and execution of proposals
• identifies and manages creative resources as needed for collaborations and outside partnerships, including external design resources, and elevating BIPOC-owned businesses
• supports project management in maintaining project costs, schedule and resourcing to budget
• provides input and development of select project ethos and positioning statements

Position characteristics:

• visionary: brings creative and transformational thinking to projects, processes and studio development
• communicative: brings transparent, confident and thoughtful leadership and communication to projects, processes and studio development
• organised: manages multiple project processes, teams, and clients
• enterprising: eager to think about new opportunities and approaches to this work
• high-achieving: sets and maintains high standards of performance for themselves and others

Requirements:

• advanced degree in architecture, exhibition design, interior design, industrial design, or, alternatively, other related fields in the arts, humanities, or cultural heritage with combined work experience in designing three dimensional spaces
• ten plus years of in-depth experience at museums or in the cultural heritage or exhibit design field
• progressive responsibility within highly complex, dynamic and narrative environments
• strong professional contemporary design background evidenced by a recognised and distinguished body of work in a range of contexts; experience with exhibitions and digital exhibits
• proven success building and leading award-winning, multi-disciplinary creative teams
• demonstrable experience of preparing tender documentation, leading tender evaluation of the Works & preparing tender report and recommendation for contract award
• experience of leading budget planning, familiarity with market rates including low, medium and high cost per square metre thresholds
• conversant with RIBA Plan of Work
• familiarity with designer and principal designer duties under CDM Regulations 2015 and experience of preparing designers’ Risk Assessments
• collaborative and inclusive work style with the ability to mandate and implement decisions
• executive’s capacity for multi-tasking, project management and presentation to multiple constituencies, with the ability to acknowledge constraints
• substantial experience managing large-scale projects, of a high volume and pace, within specified budgets
• ability to provoke thought and push the comfort of convention while exhibiting a sense of humility and a self-reflective demeanour
• excellent communication skills, interpersonal dexterity, approachability, and diplomacy
• deep engagement with history and culture from a global perspective together with active knowledge of current design strategies
• highest standards of personal and professional integrity
• interest in and experience with the promotion and realisation of sustainable design strategies
• proficiency with some of the following programs will be expected: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, Rhino, BIM 360, and/or Vectorworks, depending upon background and experience

How to apply

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each applicant. Qualified candidates will be contacted via email regarding our interview process. To apply for this role, please submit a cover letter, CV and portfolio via the apply for job button below.

EDAI

RAA is an equal opportunity practice that is committed to furthering diversity and inclusion in our studio. RAA does not discriminate in employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of: race; color; creed; religion; gender; gender identity or expression; sex; sexual orientation; national origin or ancestry; citizenship status; health or genetic information; age; marital status; mental or physical disability; pregnancy; political affiliation; arrest record; past, present, or future service in the uniformed services; or any other legally protected status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel practices, including, but not limited to, recruitment, project assignments, professional development, compensation, or any other employment practice. We strongly encourage women, people of colour, and candidates from other underrepresented communities to apply.

www.raai.com

• Applications have closed.