Overview

Creative Director Department: Marketing Reports to: Vice President of MarketingClassification: Full-Time, ExemptBenefits: This position qualifies for Medical, Dental, Vision, and all other Supplemental Insurances. 401(k) Qualified. Salary Range: $100,000-$120,000 based on experience and expertise. Job Overview: The Creative Director leads the development and execution of Mystic Aquarium's visual storytelling, bringing our brand, mission, animals, people, and experiences to life through compelling video, design, and multimedia content. Serving as the organization's lead creative voice, this role establishes visual direction and ensures creative work reflects Mystic Aquarium's brand, strategic priorities, and mission. The Creative Director leads the video and graphic design functions and is responsible for delivering high-quality creative across social media, digital marketing, web, advertising, media relations, signage, events, fundraising, organizational communications, and other channels. The ideal candidate is both a creative leader and a hands-on storyteller - someone who can develop the big idea, lead a team in bringing it to life, and step behind the camera when needed - with significant professional video production experience, a strong creative point of view, and demonstrated experience leading and developing creative professionals. Primary Functions: Creative Direction & Brand StewardshipServe as the lead creative voice for Mystic Aquarium, establishing visual direction across marketing and communications channels.Translate organizational goals, marketing strategies, and campaign objectives into compelling creative concepts and visual storytelling.Maintain and evolve Mystic Aquarium's visual brand, ensuring consistency across digital, print, and environmental applications.Establish a high standard for creative quality while ensuring work remains authentic to Mystic Aquarium's mission, audiences, and brand.Develop creative concepts that balance mission-driven storytelling with organizational priorities, including attendance, membership, fundraising, events, education, and conservation awareness.Stay current on creative, video, design, digital, and social media trends and identify opportunities to evolve Mystic Aquarium's creative approach. Video Production & Visual StorytellingLead Mystic Aquarium's video strategy and production, from concept development and storyboarding through filming, editing, and final delivery.Alongside the Sr. Video Producer, create compelling video content for social media, digital advertising, web, public relations, fundraising, internal communications, and other organizational needs.Provide hands-on video production support, including filming, directing, lighting, audio, and other production needs.Develop storytelling approaches that make complex topics, including animal care, research, conservation, rescue, and education, accessible and engaging to broad audiences.Capture planned and real-time moments across the Aquarium, including animal stories, events, interviews, conservation initiatives, behind-the-scenes activities, and breaking media opportunities.Ensure video content is appropriately developed and optimized for different platforms, audiences, and formats. Graphic Design & MultimediaLead and provide creative direction for Mystic Aquarium's graphic design function.Oversee the development of creative assets for advertising, social media, web, email, signage, events, exhibits, fundraising, presentations, and other organizational needs.Ensure consistency in visual identity, typography, imagery, photography, graphics, and other brand elements.Review and approve creative work while providing clear, constructive feedback that strengthens both individual projects and the overall brand.Partner with internal teams to identify the strongest visual approach to communicating their goals rather than simply executing individual creative requests. Social & Digital ContentPartner closely with the Digit