Director of Experience Design

American Association for State and Local History; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wisconsin Historical Society seeks a Director of Experience Design (DXD) to lead the Experience Design Studio, advancing audience-centered experiences across WHS sites and exhibits. Based in Madison, the DXD ensures projects meet schedule, budget, and stakeholder expectations, coordinating with internal teams and external partners.

Reporting within the History Experiences and Engagement Bureau, the role oversees diverse spaces—from galleries to outdoor environments—driving innovative,

Qualifications

• Experience designing, fabricating, and installing major experience projects at attractions.
• Experience creating budgets and following design processes.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating with contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Experience Design Studio within WHS to develop audience-centered experiences.
• Ensure projects are on schedule and on budget with strong internal/external communication.
• Collaborate with cross-unit teams, contractors, and community partners to realize exhibit plans.

Skills

Experience with large-scale projects

Budgeting and process compliance

Team leadership and collaboration

Tools

3D design software

Job description

OUR MISSION:

The Wisconsin Historical Society connects people to the past by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories.

OUR VISION:

Enriching and transforming lives through unparalleled access to history.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1846, the Wisconsin Historical Society is one of the nation’s most respected and dynamic historical organizations. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, the Society is uniquely positioned to serve the public through its mission to connect people to the past by collecting, preserving, and sharing stories.

At the heart of this work is a belief that history matters. A deeper understanding of the past strengthens communities, informs civic life, and supports cultural and economic vitality. The Society’s values are to Embrace a Spirit of Service, Engage our Expertise, Spark Enthusiasm, Cultivate Inclusion, Exceed Expectations, and Think Big and Grow with Purpose. These values guide a high-performing and collaborative organization that is recognized nationally and internationally for its impact.

WHS is committed to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization because we truly believe this is the most effective way to attract, engage, and retain the best talent and the most meaningful way to support our mission.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Experience Design (DXD) leads the Wisconsin Historical Society’s (WHS) Experience Design Studio to advance interpretive and experience projects that are audience-centered, relevant, compelling, and captivating human-centered stories. Achieving excellence in experience design, the DXD ensures each project is on schedule, on budget, and with strong communication with internal and external partners. Positioned within the History Experiences and Engagement Bureau, the DXD is an agencywide leader within a work unit consisting of Experience Design, Community Engagement, and Public Historians. Experiences shared by the Society are rooted in the foundational elements of history to develop experiences that share state, national, and international stories.

Based in the Design Studio in the flagship Wisconsin History Center (WHC) in downtown Madison, DXD leads the development and implementation of experiences across a diverse portfolio of twelve historic sites and attractions. The core responsibility is the semi-regular changing temporary gallery (~7,500sf), community gallery (~1,000sf), and textile case inside the WHC. The experiences within these spaces will vary greatly from projects developed fully in-house by the Studio to leasing international traveling exhibits. Additional scope includes leading experiences design at WHS venues that range from historic houses, outdoor living history environments, indoor galleries, library and archives, and other attraction settings.

All projects undertaken by the Design Studio are approved by the WHS Programs and Products Review Team with appropriate financial and staffing resources to deliver the product. DXD is responsible for maintaining the agency’s Experience Development Schedule to ensure the right cadence and resources are committed, and to avoid competing deliverables.

To achieve these goals, the DXD leads the Design Studio to work collaboratively with colleagues across the agency, contractors, and community experts. Reporting to the DXD is a team consisting of Lead Experience Designer, Exhibition Manager, Graphic Designer, Lead Technician, and Technician. For project development, the DXD will engage internal multidisciplinary teams of venue leadership and staff, exhibit developers, educators, retail, marketing, collection specialists, and agency leadership. DXD is the primary relationship manager with contractors who specialize in the creation, fabrication, and installation of media, physical, and immersive experiences. Working with the Community Engagement team, the DXD engages with community experts and artists to ensure experiences about their communities are accurate and developed in tandem.

SALARY INFORMATION

The salary will be between $42.00 - $47.00 per hour plus excellent benefits. Pay on appointment for current or former state employees may vary according to the applicable pay provisions found in the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. This position is in pay schedule 81, range 01. The classification for this position is Historical Society Manager. A 2-year Career Executive trial period will be required.

JOB DETAILS

A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.

WHS does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.

Certain positions within WHS may allow remote/work from home flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Applications are due at 11:59PM on October 16, 2026.

QUALIFICATIONS

A minimally qualified candidate will have experience in all of the following:

• Experience being an integral part of a team to design, fabricate, and install a major experience project at an attraction.
• Experience using design software to create a three-dimension spatial, render, and shop drawing for implementation by contractors.
• Experience creating a budget, following design processes, and adhering to policies.

In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, a well-qualified candidate will have demonstrated experience in one of the following areas:

• Experience leading a team of multi-disciplinary skillsets to design, fabricate, and install a major experience design project at an attraction.
• Experience procuring and managing vendors/contractors to fabricate and install an experience to architectural drawings.
• Experience leading a department with a complex budget, processes and policies.