Ralph Appelbaum Associates

Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) is seeking a full-time Interpretive Director (remote) to join our US-based Content team.

The Content team on any project has a diverse set of responsibilities related to the narratives, stories, and collections that underpin the experiences we create. They work with clients to craft storylines and interpretive frameworks and they develop and implement strategies for managing large scale and complex information flows between curatorial and archival teams and RAA’s design teams. The team works with Creative Directors, Visual Designers, and Physical Designers to shape a project’s narrative into a cohesive experience. 

The Interpretive Director spearheads the creative output of the Content team. Working closely with Creative Directors and other discipline leaders, this position will lead ideation and planning with clients and design teams, shaping the visitor experience and establishing vision, strategies, and narrative structures for projects across RAA and on new proposals. In so doing, the Interpretive Director collaborates with other discipline leaders to ensure cohesion in the design and alignment with client expectations.

• Works closely with Creative Directors and other project leaders to deliver the project’s vision within their specialist discipline 
• Creates overall vision, interpretive direction and project positioning for major and/or multiple projects 
• Develops institutional positioning 
• Establishes gallery-wide storylines and narrative structures 
• Reports project progress to Project Management 
• Plans and leads milestone client presentations and workshops 
• Collaborates with all disciplines to ensure exhibit design cohesion 
• Provides input to RAA contracts 
• Works with the RAA management team on new business proposals 
• Actively seeks out and cultivates new potential clients and projects

• Advanced degree in Museum Studies, History, Anthropology, or other related fields in the humanities or cultural heritage
• 7-10 years of experience at museums or in the cultural heritage or exhibit design field
• Demonstrated exemplary leadership, organizational, multi-tasking, and time management abilities and experience
• Interests in history and culture together with engagement in current design strategies
• Commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement through the work of RAA
• Highest standards of personal and professional integrity
• Proven experience working collaboratively with museum professionals
• Demonstrated success working as part of a team and also leading and mentoring others
• Collaborative and inclusive work style
• Excellent interpersonal dexterity, approachability, and diplomacy
• Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated skills in writing and research
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace

RAA offers a competitive benefits package to our full-time staff, including: medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401k enrollment; generous paid time off. Additional benefits are offered at no cost to employees, including short- and long-term disability and life insurance. Flexible benefits are also available for employees to make tax-advantaged contributions toward medical expenses, transportation and parking costs, and childcare.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each applicant. Qualified candidates will be contacted via email regarding our interview process. To apply for this role, please send a cover letter, CV, and portfolio to humanresources@raai.com.

RAA is an equal opportunity practice that is committed to furthering diversity and inclusion in our studio. RAA does not discriminate in employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of: race; color; creed; religion; gender; gender identity or expression; sex; sexual orientation; national origin or ancestry; citizenship status; health or genetic information; age; marital status; mental or physical disability; pregnancy; political affiliation; arrest record; past, present, or future service in the uniformed services; or any other legally protected status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all personnel practices, including, but not limited to, recruitment, project assignments, professional development, compensation, or any other employment practice. We strongly encourage women, people of color, and candidates from other underrepresented communities to apply.

All applicants for RAA open positions based in the United States have rights under federal employment laws. Links to the pertinent postings follow.

Notices:
Employee Rights: Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
The Family and Medical Leave Act