Retail Associate

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Retail the Retail Associate serves as a key ambassador of the museum brand, delivering an elevated guest-centered experience within a thoughtfully curated retail environment. This role combines exceptional customer service with strong sales support, engaging visitors through meaningful storytelling, guiding purchases with intention, and ensuring every interaction reflects the artistry and mission of the museum.  

 

With a strong command of POS operations, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, the Retail Associate ensures seamless transactions, visually engaging merchandising standards, and a boutique experience that extends the museum journey beyond its walls. 

 

This position requires morning availability, and may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as first point of contact providing a welcoming, attentive and personalized retail experience that anticipates guest needs and supports exceptional service 

• Engage guests with product knowledge, connecting merchandise to exhibitions, artists, and cultural narratives 

• Operate POS systems with accuracy and discretion, ensuring a smooth, polished transaction experience 

• Uphold high merchandising standards, ensuring displays are aesthetically balanced, and aligned with the museum standards and brand  

• Support pricing, packaging, and inventory accuracy with strong attention to detail, thoughtful presentation and care 

• Respond to guest inquiries and concerns with professionalism, confidence, and thoughtful solutions 

• Collaborate with team members to achieve sales goals while preserving a cohesive, elevated, guest centered environment 

• Support opening and closing procedures, while maintaining a polished, inviting, and retail space aligned with the museum’s visual standards 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Customer-facing and/or sales experience in premium retail, hospitality, cultural, or service- oriented, high-touch environments preferred; open to all experience levels and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply 

• Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high-volume setting with elevated guest service standards desired 

• Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building, and conversion techniques 

• Understanding of retail operations, including inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systems 

• Proficiency in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plus 

• Experience with cash handling procedures and compliance. 

• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain visually compelling, gallery-inspired merchandising displays 

• Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presence 

• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and special museum programs, exhibitions, and events 

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.  

 

• Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.  

 

• Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.  

 

• Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.  

 

• Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 8 hours per shift.  

• Ability to move throughout multiple Museum locations, including galleries, theaters, outdoor spaces, and other public areas.  

• Ability to maintain an active and visible presence while providing exceptional guest service.  

• Ability to work in a high-volume, public-facing environment with large groups of guests, including school groups, tours, special events, and peak attendance periods, while maintaining professionalism, situational awareness, and composure.  

• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs as needed.  

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 25 pounds, including wheelchairs, stanchions, signage, guest service equipment, and other operational materials.  

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with guests and colleagues in person, by telephone, and over two-way radio.  

• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions.  

• Ability to maintain awareness of guest activity and surrounding conditions while monitoring galleries, queues, and public spaces. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Customer-facing and/or sales experience in premium retail, hospitality, cultural, or service- oriented, high-touch environments preferred; open to all experience levels and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply 

• Must have morning availability, and may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

• Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high-volume setting with elevated guest service standards desired 

• Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building, and conversion techniques 

• Understanding of retail operations, including inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systems 

• Proficiency in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plus 

• Experience with cash handling procedures and compliance. 

• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain visually compelling, gallery-inspired merchandising displays 

• Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presence 

• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and special museum programs, exhibitions, and events