Director of Retail [Texas State Preservation Board/Bullock Museum, Austin, TX]

Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The State Preservation Board (SPB) is a prestigious state agency that preserves, restores and maintains the State Capitol, the Texas Governor’s Mansion, and other Texas landmarks; operates the Bullock State History Museum and Texas State Cemetery for the benefit of all Texans.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The SPB Retail Division is comprised of three stores (Texas State Capitol, Capitol Visitors Center and the Bullock State History Museum), and a warehouse all located within the Capitol Complex.  The Retail Division is currently in a period of expansion and creative change, with new efforts underway in product development, shop renovation and re-design, ecommerce sites, systems modernization, operational enhancements.  The Retail Director is a key management position and reports to the Executive Director of the agency.  This position is responsible for the strategic direction, creative leadership, management, supervision and control of all retail services.  Focusing on achieving increasing profitability and developing the strategies and programming to support the agency’s mission of preservation and education.  The incumbent’s work is evaluated on the basis of results obtained, interpersonal effectiveness and timeliness.  Works under general supervision and directs the administrative, human resources,  financial, and other operational activities of the agency’s Retail Division.

This position requires an experienced professional in multi-channel retail management with experience in multi-million dollar revenues.  Directs and oversees all retail operations; including the department’s ornament program, marketing, E-commerce platform, product development, and vendor negotiations.  Manages sales and oversees purchases and sales of merchandise, supplies and equipment, and inventory management according to agency policies and procedures.  Develops and implements effective policies, procedures, controls, priorities, and standards for the Retail Division.  Responsible for the department’s overall budget, including making sound recommendations while working with the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer in evaluating retail profits, loss and fiscal accountability, and works as part of a results driven interdisciplinary team.

Leads the Retail Division by modeling, demonstrating, and evaluating customer service standards and excellence.  Works across divisional lines when planning, developing and/or implementing effective retail strategies.  This position provides leadership, exercises considerable initiative and is expected to demonstrate sound independent judgment as an agency representative; ability to stay focused and organized, and set priorities working through multiple competing projects and tasks. Must display excellent verbal and written communications skills and maintain a professional, respectful, and service-oriented focus when interacting with employees, vendors, building occupants, volunteers, visitors, and the public.  Performs all other duties as assigned.  *Must be able to work with the agency’s 360 day-per-year schedule and may include weekends, evenings, and/or holidays, including on short notice.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

For purposes of this agency’s job descriptions, “essential job duties” are defined as assigned tasks that are critical or fundamental to the position and not marginal. If an individual is qualified to perform the essential job duties, he or she must be able to perform the essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Responsible for the strategic direction, creative leadership, management, supervision and control of all retail services.  This position requires a senior executive in multi-channel retail management with experience in multi-million dollar revenues.
• Directs, through subordinate managers and staff, the ongoing operations and development of the retail operations within the scope of the Agency’s mission and vision, inclusive of, but not limited to:
  • Retail Stores’ Operations
  • Ecommerce and Fulfillment departments
  • Retail buying and procurement
  • Inventory control:  maintaining appropriate stock levels for all revenue streams
  • Assist with purchase of merchandise to be used by other program areas
  • Purchase order management
  • Administration and oversight of point-of-sale system
  • Data analysis
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Visual merchandising and display
  • Developing and maintain appropriate accounting procedures
  • Working with Internal Audit to establish and maintain adequate controls
  • Management, development, and training of staff
  • Product development; oversees the development of:
    • Seasonal and non-seasonal products specific to at least three different locations
    • Exhibit- and program-related products
    • Custom products
• Manages annual budgets  for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses. Makes sound budgetary recommendations to the Executive Director and CFO.
• Reports to and effectively communicates with the Executive Director on a regular basis and as needs arise.
• Establishes, implements and disseminates short, mid, and long-range divisional goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures. Objectively monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness; affects changes as required for improvement after obtaining additional technical input from the Executive Director,  CFO, Museum Director, Retail Operations Manager, and other program specialists, if required.
• Plans, develops, and implements strategies for generating resources and/or revenues for the agency.
• Represents the SPB to the public by demonstrating retail and agency knowledge and is responsive to general inquiries.
• Establishes merchandise directions.  Works with the Retail Operations Manager to develop an annual visual merchandising display plan and feature attractive merchandise presentations for the retail stores.
• Works in conjunction with marketing personnel to develop product concepts, design, and to oversee production. Seeks supervisory input and approval, sets pricing, and develops marketing strategies for all proprietary products.
• Actively participates as a member of the agency’s strategic senior management team.
• Maintains professional relationships with vendors and within the retail industry at the local, state, regional and national levels. Seeks professional growth and development opportunities through professional affiliations, networks and industry literature.
• Demonstrates proficient use of a personal computer in a Windows environment to prepare reports, maintain databases, and develop presentations and spreadsheets. Demonstrates POS proficiency and knowledge and is able to train other personnel on the agency’s POS system.
• Demonstrates  familiarity with e-commerce site management including interface design, usability, product deployment, traffic management, and conversion rates.
• Works with Executive Director, Museum Director and other program specialists to identify and develop new product lines that are closely aligned to the agency’s mission.
• Establishes and maintains an effective organizational structure and staffing model to accomplish SPB’s goals and objectives and to maximize productivity and customer service.  Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, supervises and evaluates Retail Division staff.
• Effectively  works with Human Resources to implement succession planning to ensure growth candidates are identified with development plans in place.
• Prepares specialized reports, including expenditures, sales reports, staffing projections and/or narratives as required to forecast, plan and report operations trends and data. Analyzes and/or interprets research findings with accuracy; formulates appropriate action plans; and manages implementation to completion.
• Must be available to work after regular business hours, including weekends and/or nights as needed. Periodically monitors Store operations and staff on weekends in person.
• Manages and coordinates year-end inventory and cycle counts.
• Acts as administrator of POS system for Division and non-Division users.
• Ensures submission of reporting on orders and sales for all sites and programs (weekly, monthly, annually). Sets budgets for performance, compares results to budgets and prior year. Analyzes sales and performance data to continually increase revenue and conversion.
• Interacts and effectively communicates with all division directors, staff, vendors, and occasionally with customers to promote and achieve high levels of customer satisfaction with Retail services and products.
• Works with agency staff (marketing, finance, digital media, IT, membership and development), developers, and contractors (designers, copywriters) on realization of project components. Engages major stakeholders ensuring all constituents are apprised of project’s progress and interests addressed.
• Identifies enhancements that further engage the agency’s and museum’s current and potential visitors, plans future improvements to user experience and/or workflow, and development projects with outside vendors.
• Demonstrates sustained knowledge of the agency’s mission, programs, exhibits and customers.
• Complies with all applicable safety rules, regulations and standards, and ensures Retail staff are also trained. Adheres to all agency policies and procedures.
• Displays sound judgment and effective interpersonal skill.
• Regular attendance is an essential job duty for all SPB positions.
• Performs all duties in a manner that promotes public confidence in the SPB and its staff.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate for this position will have an undergraduate degree in business, finance, retail management, or a related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a manager or director of a robust multi-store retail and ecommerce operation.  Experience must include:

• Familiarity with POS and inventory management systems.
• Online marketing, including ecommerce and fulfillment.
• Strong comprehension of P&L statements and analysis.
• Proven success with merchandise presentation and visual display.
• Demonstrated success with product development, buying, and vendor negotiation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on exceptional training, coaching, development, and scheduling retail personnel.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• The individual hired must demonstrate a commitment to achieve annual sales growth and to increase customer loyalty.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal applicant will have additional and significant experience with retail operations and management experience regarding multi-million dollar sales volumes in museum or gift store retail, direct to consumer, and wholesale channels. Expert knowledge of product development, sourcing, and buying for cultural institutions is strongly preferred.

VETERANS:

Military Occupational Specialty Codes (MOS):  00 Command

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with other related MOS or additional duties pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply.