Director of Experience Strategy & Narrative

California Academy of Sciences; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Academy of Sciences seeks an Associate Director of Experience Strategy to shape the visitor journey across spaces, interactive systems, and immersive media. You will lead narrative design and storytelling strategy for the Experience Studio, collaborating with designers, producers, researchers, and educators.

You will translate scientific content into engaging, cohesive experiences that connect visitors with science and the natural world, driving audience impact and innovation.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years creating narrative-driven experiences in immersive design, museums, or related industries.
• Ability to shape conceptual and storytelling frameworks for complex immersive public experiences.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams including designers, producers, technologists, scientists, and educators.
• Bachelor’s degree in visual and interactive storytelling, experience design, communications, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead experience strategy, visitor journey design, and audience experience insights.
• Define conceptual direction and storytelling strategy for the Experience Studio.
• Develop frameworks for narrative development across projects and ensure alignment with creative design.
• Translate scientific topics into compelling immersive experiences and story worlds.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive, emotionally resonant experiences.

Skills

Narrative design

Immersive experiences

Team collaboration

Storytelling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in visual and interactive storytelling or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

The California Academy of Sciences seeks an Associate Director of Experience Strategy to shape the visitor journey across spaces, interactive systems, and immersive media. You will lead narrative design and storytelling strategy for the Experience Studio, collaborating with designers, producers, researchers, and educators.

You will translate scientific content into engaging, cohesive experiences that connect visitors with science and the natural world, driving audience impact and innovation.