Vice President, Executive Creative Director - Exhibition Development

Meow Wolf - Santa Fe, NM

Full-time - Executive

Santa Fe, NM

Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries

About the position

The VP, Executive Creative Director - Exhibition Development is a visionary leader responsible for steering the core creative team at Meow Wolf, which includes creative directors, art directors, and experience designers. This role is critical in the creative development and articulation of future exhibitions, exhibition updates, and other special projects. Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer, the VP will work closely with the Chief Creative Strategy Officer and other key executive leaders to shape and design the creative vision that expands the Meow Wolf Universe. The position emphasizes the importance of in-person work, which is vital to the creative practice and culture of the teams at Meow Wolf. In this role, you will be responsible for the development and success of the people, processes, and output of the creative department. You will guide teams into a new era of creative practice, expanding opportunities for creative contributions while sharpening the integration of brand, art, story, and interactivity in the development of physical spaces. As a champion for creatives, you will hone the output of the creative development process to align with the creative strategy, overarching vision, and business needs. The VP will have an active role in all ongoing and future exhibition projects at an executive level, guiding and approving creative alignment to strategy, overseeing project progress, and communicating updates to company leadership. Your contributions will include establishing strategic alignment with leadership to integrate creative pillars with business needs, defining project-based creative strategies, and ensuring that the participant is at the center of the experience. You will evaluate and guide the intersection of physical and digital art, technology, narrative content, and overall design to ensure meaningful engagement. Additionally, you will drive innovation by evaluating current creative execution against guest feedback and audience insights, while also holding the creative perspective when making decisions that consider operational, marketing, and financial needs. Building and maintaining relationships with fellow leaders, internal stakeholders, external partners, and artists will be essential to fostering a collaborative and supportive creative environment. You will also supervise the creative direction department, instilling excellence into the team and leading the development of processes that enable consistent delivery of high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Steer the core creative team in the development of exhibitions and special projects.
• Collaborate with leadership to integrate creative pillars with business needs.
• Define project-based creative strategies and goals for exceptional exhibition experiences.
• Provide creative guidance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate and guide the intersection of physical and digital art, technology, narrative content, and overall design.
• Drive innovation by evaluating current creative execution against guest feedback and audience insights.
• Build and maintain relationships with fellow leaders, internal stakeholders, external partners, and artists.
• Supervise the creative direction department, consisting of creative directors, art directors, and experience designers.
• Lead the development and clarification of processes, practices, and tools for the creative team.
• Communicate company goals and priorities to the creative department.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a leadership role within a creative environment.
• Strong background in exhibition development and immersive experiences.
• Ability to establish strategic alignment with business needs and creative goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration.
• Experience in managing and mentoring creative teams.
• Strong understanding of emerging trends in art, technology, and immersive experiences.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a B Corporation or similar socially responsible organization.
• Familiarity with the principles of community support and grassroots initiatives.
• Background in art direction or experience design.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HSA
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company Paid Life Insurance Policy & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Voluntary Short-term Disability & Critical Illness Policies
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch
• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests