Job Title: Director of DOME Experiences and Planetarium 

Company: Arizona Science Center | Dorrance Planetarium

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

FLSA Status: Exempt | Full Time

Pay Range: $80,000+ (depending on experience)

 

SUMMARY

Arizona Science Center, home to the renowned Dorrance Planetarium, which is scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2025, is seeking a visionary Director for DOME experiences and Planetarium to lead the Dorrance Planetarium team.

Dorrance Planetarium, powered by Cosm Technology, will feature an 18-meter diameter, CX System LED dome display with 8K+ resolution, making it a global leader in engaging science experiences. The Dorrance Planetarium is expected to attract 130,000 visitors a year and will engage with a wide array of audiences including but not limited to families, school-aged children, educators, teens, adults, tourists, college students, community stakeholders and beyond!

The Director will be responsible for planetarium programming and financial performance, and will lead the development and execution of artistic and creative programs that inspire, educate, and engage diverse audiences.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead the overall operation of the planetarium with a focus on quality visitor experiences that generate revenues and grow audiences.
  • Develop and lead a small team of content developers and dome operators to produce high-quality immersive content and creative experiences with a focus on revenue generation, audience growth, and partnership opportunities
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Events, Sales, Education, and other teams to create innovative offerings that drive incremental revenue growth and profitability.
  • Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, including scientists, educators, artists and exhibit developers, to create compelling narratives that explore a wide range of topics from astronomy to art and beyond.
  • Oversee the management of all aspects of planetarium production and operation, including planetarium finances, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, maintenance, resource allocation, and vendor relationships.
  • Develop a pipeline of constantly changing, innovative custom programmatic content to build a library of Dorrance Planetarium productions for licensing by other planetariums and attract support funding (grants, donations, sponsorships and producing partners).
  • Stay informed about emerging technologies and trends in immersive media, leveraging new tools and techniques to create immersive experiences that push the boundaries of storytelling and engagement.
  • Develop long-range strategies for content, audience development, and earned income growth aligned with institutional goals.

 

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a management position with a work schedule that will require traditional workweek hours (~70%), and a varied schedule of hours outside of traditional hours (~30% - mornings, nights, weekends, holidays) in support of standard operations, special events, maintaining contact with staff and audiences and other professional activities. This is an in-person, on-site position.

 

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

 

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as media arts, film production, interactive design, theater, or business or other related fields and 7+ years of increasingly responsible leadership experience with 4 years or more leading successful immersive theaters or planetariums with budget management responsibility at the senior manager level; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Strong operational experience that involves revenue generation, attention to expense management, strategic marketing and partnership development.
  • Demonstrated individual leadership in personally creating and leading the production of immersive media experiences, film, giant screen films, with a portfolio showcasing innovative projects and creative vision that attract audiences and drive revenues.
  • Experience in Live entertainment and/or hospitality.
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary teams in a creative environment, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and mentor team members.
  • Deep understanding of immersive technologies, including fulldome production, VR/AR/XR, interactive storytelling, and spatial audio. Knowledge of Digistar and developer programs such as Unreal Engine, Unity, and similar engines a plus.
  • Experience in Audio, Lighting, Broadcast, IT, and/or streaming IP video workflows is a plus.
  • Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver exceptional results within budget.
  • Passion for science, education, and informal learning, with a commitment to promoting scientific literacy and curiosity in audiences of all backgrounds. Background in Astronomy and/or other sciences is a plus.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus around creative ideas.
  • This role occasionally requires the ability to move and transport equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided.
  • This role occasionally requires the ability to safely climb structures and work, briefly, in elevated positions.
  • This role requires the ability to work during live events, with high noise levels, bright and flashing lights, and busy environments.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

 

Arizona Science Center maintains a firm policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and dismiss Employees based on such factors as experience, character, ability, and skill, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or heritage, age, marital or veteran status, disability, citizenship, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

 

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 

 

BENEFITS include, but are not limited to:

  • 21 paid days off annually including holidays, birthdays, and vacation days
  • 10 days of accrued sick time
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Life and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
  • Admission Exchange Program - Year-round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to visit the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and more.