Assistant Museum & Retail Manager

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as an onsite leader for the flagship museum and retail location, ensuring smooth daily operations and a consistent customer experience.
• Partner with a tiered team consisting of Key Holders and Sales Associates responsible for key operational areas including: Front of House Guest Experience, Visual Merchandising, Back of House Operations, Technical / Museum Experience, and Events & Activations.
• Develop, and coach high-performing retail and guest experience teams.
• Set clear expectations for service standards, professionalism, and accountability.
• Provide consistent performance feedback and professional development.
• Create a culture rooted in ownership, teamwork, and brand pride.

Premium Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Maintain a strong and visible floor presence, ensuring guests receive an exceptional, hospitality-forward experience aligned with the John Wayne brand.
• Model elevated service standards and guest engagement.
• Ensure associates confidently tell the story of John Wayne’s legacy and products.
• Manage guest escalations with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain an environment that reflects the quality, authenticity, and heritage of the brand.

Retail Sales Leadership & Business Performance

• Collaborate with the Manager to support the overall retail business performance of the flagship location.
• Coach associates on client engagement and product storytelling.
• Partner with Home Office teams to drive retail initiatives.

Visual Merchandising & Brand Presentation

• Ensure the museum store maintains high-end visual merchandising standards that reflect a premium retail environment.
• Execute merchandising direction from the Home Office.
• Ensure product displays are compelling, organized, and brand-aligned.
• Refresh displays regularly to highlight new collections and seasonal themes.
• Maintain retail presentation that supports storytelling and discovery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in luxury retail, premium lifestyle brands, experiential retail, or hospitality.
• Proven track record of driving retail sales performance and team accountability.
• Experience managing high-touch guest experiences and client-facing teams.
• Preferred experience in heritage brands, lifestyle retail, museums, or tourism-driven retail environments.
• Experience working in high-traffic tourism or destination retail environments.

Core Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrates executive presence and professional polish.
• Strong operational leadership and decision-making.
• High emotional intelligence and team leadership ability.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong merchandising and retail instincts.
• Able to balance guest experience, brand storytelling, and commercial performance.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, and active floor management.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds when necessary.
• Fast-paced guest-facing retail environment.
• Availability for weekends, holidays, and evening events.