Senior Creative Director

Herschend Family Entertainment; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Herschend Creative Studios seeks a visionary leader to lead end-to-end creative direction for its Orlando properties. You will guide early visioning through opening day, translating strategies into guest experiences, and establishing a cohesive visual language across architecture, interiors, signage, and media.

This senior role requires a master’s degree preferred and proven ability to inspire cross-disciplinary teams, partner with leadership, and deliver original, differentiated experiences for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art, Architecture, Environmental Design, or related creative field.
• Senior-level experience leading complex multidisciplinary design projects.
• Proven ability to translate vision into built guest experiences and presentations.
• Strong communication with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall creative vision and strategy for projects and properties.
• Lead early visioning, big-idea development, and concept translation.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams with clear priorities and expectations.
• Set visual language across architecture, interiors, graphics, and branding.
• Present and sell the vision to stakeholders to drive project progress.
• Maintain design standards and ensure alignment with approved intent.

Skills

Creative leadership

Stakeholder management

Concept development

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art/Architecture/Design

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Lead end-to-end creative direction for Herschend properties and projects, from early visioning to opening day.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall creative vision and strategy for assigned Herschend properties, major and minor capital projects, attractions, resorts, and guest experiences.
• Lead early visioning and big-idea development, translating Herschend and property strategies into compelling guest experiences.
• Create original concepts, stories, and experiences that differentiate Herschend and strengthen each property’s identity.
• Act as a senior creative voice and vision-keeper, protecting creative intent from initial concept through opening day.
• Lead and inspire multidisciplinary creative teams with clear direction, priorities, and expectations.
• Build alignment with senior leadership and Property Leadership by communicating the creative vision and driving key creative decisions.
• Partner with Project Management to keep the creative vision achievable across scope, schedule, budget, and operational requirements.
• Present and sell the vision through strong presentations that create alignment and move projects forward.
• Set the creative standard for assigned projects and make critical creative decisions when competing priorities or solutions surface.
• Champion innovation and creative excellence, continually pushing for experiences that are original, differentiated, and unmistakably Herschend.
• Translate the approved creative vision into a cohesive visual language across every element of the guest experience.
• Establish and direct the look and feel of architecture, interiors, scenic, graphics, signage, materials, color, lighting, media, artwork, and related visual elements.
• Provide hands-on art direction to designers, architects, artists, consultants, fabricators, and other creative partners.
• Develop and maintain visual references and design standards, including mood boards, palettes, imagery, materials, patterns, textures, graphics, and brand elements.
• Review and redline drawings, renderings, design packages, samples, mockups, and submittals to ensure alignment with approved creative intent.
• Drive visual consistency across disciplines so individual design elements work together as one integrated guest experience.
• Communicate complex conceptual ideas clearly and operate effectively in a highly collaborative environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in Art, Architecture, Environmental Design, Interior Design, Themed Entertainment, or a related creative/design discipline.
• Significant senior-level experience leading complex, multidisciplinary creative and design projects from early visioning through final execution.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire multi-disciplinary teams, influence senior stakeholders, and translate creative vision into built experiences.
• Highly creative, nonroutine role requiring clear communication of complex concepts in a collaborative setting.

Location & Work Details

• Full-time position based at the Herschend Creative Studios HQ in Orlando, FL (onsite).
• Requires regular travel.

Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree preferred in Architecture, Design, Fine Arts, Themed Entertainment, Business, or a related field.