Art Direction Manager

This is a Full Time Job

The Role
As Manager - Art Direction for Netflix Experiences, you will define the visual language and aesthetic standards for how our stories live in the physical world. Your work exists at the intersection of conceptual art, environmental architecture, and narrative design. Partnering with the Creative Director, Creative Managers, and Producers, you will push our physical aesthetics beyond standard execution into highly conceptual, immersive environments. You are a designer who can take a broad creative idea and establish a rigorous visual throughline all the way from initial sketch through final production. Ultimately, you will guide a diverse network of creative partners and agencies to ensure that our physical spaces match the premium quality of the stories on screen.

Key responsibilities:
• Architect and evolve the overarching creative vision and visual language for Netflix Experiences, continuously raising the aesthetic bar for attractions, environments, and immersive spaces.
• Translate team discussions and charettes into clear, creative outputs, including concepts, layouts, illustrations, drawings, mood boards, and/or 3D models, to document and advance the design process.
• Oversee concept art, scenic packages, color and material boards, style guides, lighting direction, and show set documentation, while providing clear, actionable feedback to internal teams and external vendors.
• Evangelize and translate the Netflix Experiences brand strategy, visual identity, and experiential pillars into the day-to-day art direction details to ensure a creative throughline; be able to articulate the ''why'' behind our design decisions across various internal and external partners
• Develop art direction packages & reference materials for external vendors, from design through production phases, to clearly articulate the design direction at all working levels. This may include: mood boards, material references, texture references, color design, graphics design, and redlined shop drawings
• Work with cross-functional leads to protect the Creative connective thread to all other workstreams, including Marketing, Operations, Retail, Food & Beverage, & Attraction Production.
• Collaborate with the Production Designers to define and realize proof-of-concept mockups
• Be on-site to oversee creative excellence during the construction, installation, & programming phase on site
• Benchmark new and existing attractions, visit relevant trade shows, and attend seminars to always be at the forefront of innovation and new directions for our industry
• Oversee production phases by reviewing material boards, visiting fabrication vendors, and providing reference materials during production kick-offs
• Stay current on design trends, materials, and technologies, and bring fresh visual inspiration that elevates Netflix Experiences

Qualifications / Experience
• Demonstrated 10+ years of experience in art direction across environments, hospitality design, exhibition design, theatrical design, or location-based entertainment industry, with a strong combination of studio and onsite experience.
• Demonstrated experience in applying brand strategy & visual identity to principles of design and actual design direction.
• Understanding and ability to direct both physical environments and digital media.
• Must have experience working with both temporary and long-lasting environments.
• A keen understanding of IP in environmental design and various applications of IP in design.
• A dynamic portfolio demonstrating strong experience in graphic design, color design, and building comprehensive art direction packages that have resulted in a body of best-in-class creative and experiential projects.
• A portfolio of diverse and different design styles and mediums showcasing a desire to try out new things.
• A passion to innovate, finding new ways of creating an emotional connection to our guests.
• Skilled deployment of digital design tools such as SketchUp, Maya, Blender, Rhino; plus design/illustration tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, In-Design, etc. (note: we're not bound to a specific program)
• In-depth knowledge of production methods and materials, finishes.
• Ability to make difficult (yet informed) decisions, always in the best interest of Netflix.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and digitally.
• Excellent organizing skills using digital tools and Google Workspace.
• Global experience preferred.