Director of Exhibition Content

Job Details

The Director of Exhibition Content is responsible for leading the content development process, shaping how complex science and conservation ideas become compelling words, stories, and experiences. Equal parts visionary and strategist, the Director ensures that every exhibition, tour, and program connects audiences meaningfully with the ocean conservation and key initiatives. 

Working closely with the Vice President and core Exhibitions Division Leadership, this leader will mentor content and editorial staff, manage schedules, and oversee rigorous cross-divisional review processes to ensure clarity, accuracy, and impact of messaging and experiences. They will transform research and big ideas into accessible narratives, collaborating with scientists, designers, animal care specialists, marketers, and guest experience professionals to create seamless, institution-wide storytelling. 

This highly collaborative role requires fluency in both writing, communication, and experience development along with the confidence to guide feedback from multiple stakeholders. The Director must balance short- and long-term priorities—overseeing project planning, technical briefs, and evaluation contracts—while ensuring that ongoing interpretive content consistently supports the Aquarium’s mission and conservation priorities. 

This is a rare opportunity for a leader who can unite content, story, and experience—and ensure that every visitor, whether in person or digitally, leaves with a deeper understanding of the ocean and their connection to it.

Core Responsibilities 

• Lead the development of interpretive strategies and narrative frameworks for exhibitions, tours, and programs, ensuring alignment with the Aquarium’s mission and conservation priorities.
• Mentor and manage the Content team, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and a culture of creativity and rigor.
• Act as lead project developer at times, guiding the creation of compelling, innovative, and fully bilingual (English and Spanish) visitor experiences.
• Transform research and big ideas into accessible stories, with fluency in writing, editing, and messaging for all audiences.
• Collaborate across divisions—including Conservation & Science, Guest Experience, Animal Care, Marketing, and Exhibitions—to align storytelling, coordinate reviews, and strengthen institutional connections.
• Collaborate on annual planning, project planning, and scheduling with Director of Exhibition Projects, including writing technical briefs and white papers.
• Create and document content development processes and templates, proof and edit essential documents, and ensure timely delivery of content strategies for operational updates and upcoming projects.
• Develop strategies and intent for evaluation, incorporating visitor feedback into future projects.
• Manage outside consultants including evaluators, planners, and developers.
• Balance immediate deadlines with long-range planning, ensuring the Content team can support strategic goals 2–3 years ahead.
• Serve as a clear and trusted representative of the division, able to communicate ideas confidently in diverse settings.
• Bring forward-looking best practices and expertise from narrative-driven fields—such as museums, aquariums, zoos, theatre, or journalism—to spark fresh ideas and proven approaches.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics: 

• Substantial experience developing interpretation and experiences for aquarium, zoo, and/or natural history exhibitions.
• Substantial experience managing creative staff with diverse responsibilities.
• Strong team building and leadership skills with diverse individuals.
• Advanced planning and organizational skills for a high volume of work.
• Strong exhibition writing, copyediting and proofreading skills.
• Ability to develop small- and large-scale exhibitions under deadline pressure.
• Knowledge of current exhibition best practices and strategies and a commitment to the guest experience.
• Knowledge of conservation issues and practices.
• Competency in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• A commitment to transparency and excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication and feedback skills.
• Ability to work within and maintain Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Core Values.
• Demonstrated commitment to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Leadership Competencies.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Working knowledge of database software programs, such as FileMaker Pro.
• Knowledge of and experience in informal science education best practices.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, writing/composition, museum studies or related field, or equivalent experience in a zoo, aquarium, or other informal science education institution.  Advanced degree preferred.
• Ten years of experience leading the content development of large-scale exhibitions.

Contact Information

***This role is being recruited by a third party agency, Koya. To be considered for this role, you must apply via the Koya website. Applications submitted to the Monterey Bay Aquarium website will not be considered.***

Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy and Christy Farell. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.