Job details

Design Director

Get a free resume review

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution.

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, at least three days working onsite

Reporting to the Chief Collections, Exhibitions, & Design Officer (CCEDO), the Design Director is responsible for the conception and implementation of a forward-thinking, creative and cohesive design strategy for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s design initiatives across all internal and external facing channels. The Design Director plays a strategic role in interpreting the museum’s values and mission through authentic visual communications and temporary exhibition and permanent collection displays, ensuring consistent application and expression of these design experiences and effectively managing the processes and resources necessary to implement them. The Design Director supervises the Graphic and Exhibition Design teams and regularly collaborates with Collections, Exhibitions, and Design (CED) Division peers as well as the museum’s senior leadership and other internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities & Duties

Leadership and Design Studio Management
Encourage an inclusive, rewarding, and inspiring workplace, where innovation, discovery, and constant learning cultivate a deep sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
Build and foster a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity.
Support employee personal and professional growth.
Lead Design Studio hiring, execute and oversee performance reviews, and regularly update CCEDO on departmental progress.
Manage, coordinate, and foster effective collaboration within the Design team.
Work in a healthy and flexible management style that understands and adjusts to staff needs and complex projects that support strategic pursuits and sustainable workloads.
Facilitate, conduct, and/or participate in creative discussions, cross-departmental design and staff meetings, reviews and project critiques.
Oversee the evaluation, hiring, and management of outside consultants when necessary, including artists, designers, printers, architects, photographers, and new media technology providers to ensure successful communication flow, budget, timeline controls, contracts and quality of execution.

Exhibition Design and Creative Services
Lead and inspire a high-volume creative department to conceptualize and design visitor-centered materials and experiences that support museum initiatives and increase audience engagement through a range of media solutions, including experiential and environmental concepts, print, mobile and online media, digital publications, e-communications, and in-gallery digital resources.
Manage accessibility and sustainability design initiatives in alignment with museum priorities, ensuring their integration into exhibitions, visitor experience, and institutional branding.
Provide creative direction for Concept, Schematic, and Construction exhibition design packages that include sketches, illustrations, storyboards, 3D renderings, bid packages, models, mock-ups, colors, finishes, materials and notes, as well as scalable plans, elevations, sections and details.
Strategize and champion an integrated interdepartmental design process and foster collaboration across Graphic Design, Exhibition Design, and other Divisions to plan long-range initiatives for exhibitions, marketing, education, visitor services, wayfinding, and external communications, ensuring alignment with institutional goals through iterative planning and continuous feedback.
Oversee the museum’s identity (“brand”) and its application to all facets of the museum experience. Serve as brand steward.
Work closely with in-house project management team and Design Studio supervisors to develop design objectives, project budgets, and schedules for all design/fabrication/digital requests. Provide departmental budget information to CCEDO.

Qualifications & Skills

Undergraduate degree with coursework in design, modern art, and contemporary art, or closely related. M.A. or M.F.A degree preferred.
Minimum of ten (10) years full-time experience with at least five (5) years in a supervisory role
Experience leading large-scale exhibition design especially in immersive, interactive or multimedia displays
Experience with art direction, graphic design, and project management in an art context
Familiarity with safety regulations (OSHA, ADA) and experience in architecture, engineering, or construction a plus
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Technical Proficiency: Adobe Creative Suite, Sketchup, Microsoft Office Suite, knowledge of AutoCad, Cinema 4D, and 3D applications is preferred

Working Conditions

Must be able to visually inspect art and design work and perform job functions on a computer.
Close office setting, must be able to work in close quarters with other members of the department.

$129,854 - $162,318 a year

Job posting open date: 3/31/25

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed.

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street.

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.

Average salary estimate

$146086 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$129854K

$162318K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Design Director, SFMOMA

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is on the lookout for an innovative Design Director to join its dynamic team. This position is not just a job; it's an opportunity to lead and inspire creativity in one of the largest museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the country. As a Design Director at SFMOMA, you'll oversee the conception and execution of forward-thinking design strategies that resonate with the museum's mission of inclusivity and passion for art. You'll work closely with the Chief Collections, Exhibitions, & Design Officer (CCEDO) to translate the museum's values into compelling visual communications while managing both Graphic and Exhibition Design teams. Your role is pivotal in shaping the visitor experience through collaborative efforts that incorporate a variety of media, including print and digital. Polyvalence is key; your responsibilities will range from strategic planning of major exhibitions to managing the intricacies of the design process. You’ll be encouraged to create an inspiring workplace where your team can thrive, explore new ideas, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about art's impact on society. Furthermore, your input will help drive accessibility and sustainability initiatives across the museum, ensuring designs engage all audiences. If you have the passion for pushing creative boundaries and the skills to manage a high-energy team, then stepping into the Design Director role at SFMOMA could be your next big adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Design Director Role at SFMOMA

What are the responsibilities of the Design Director at SFMOMA?

The Design Director at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has a rich set of responsibilities including developing a cohesive design strategy, managing Graphic and Exhibition Design teams, and fostering a collaborative environment. You'll lead creative discussions, oversee project management, and implement visitor-centered design initiatives that enhance audience engagement.