Associate Director of Experience Design
US$150,000 – US$165,000 / yr base salary
Posted 16 Sep 2026
BranchFactor Summary
The original posting with the fluff stripped out
- Expected experience
- 10+ yrs
- Management level
- People management
- Employment
- Hybrid
- Contract
- Full-time
| Base salary | US$150,000 – US$165,000 / yr |
|---|
Field of studyArchitecture, Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Media Arts (or related)
Study levelBachelor's
Study levelMaster's or higher
About the California Academy of Sciences
Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi, spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling.
Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.
About the Opportunity
The Associate Director of Experience Design will envision and create future-forward experiences for the California Academy of Sciences, redefining how science is experienced through immersive, responsive, and deeply human-centered environments. Blending spatial storytelling, emerging technology, and the Academy’s unparalleled scientific assets, this leader will create transformative offerings that ignite curiosity and inspire audiences. In close partnership with the Senior Director of Experience, the Associate Director will ensure that every project advances a cohesive, ambitious design vision—positioning the Experience Studio as a laboratory for innovation and a global leader in experiential science engagement.
The Associate Director provides team leadership across spatial, interactive, digital, graphic, and media design disciplines. This position oversees a design team and external partners/vendors, establishes design standards and processes, and serves as creative lead for the Experience Studio. In addition to supervisory and leadership responsibilities, the Associate Director actively contributes to concept development, design direction, and key deliverables on assigned initiatives.
Organizational Culture
When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future.