Manager, Retail

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling.  Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career. 

Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Lucas Museum seeks a results-driven Retail Manager on our Revenue & Engagement team in support of the opening and ongoing retail strategy & merchandising operations of the Museum’s retail store. Reporting to the Director of Retail & Licensing Strategy and in partnership with Revenue & Engagement leadership, this role will be responsible for managing front-of-house inventory and merchandise to ensure availability of products that enhance the visitor experience. They will lead a team of retail associates, providing coaching and development to team members to foster a positive and dynamic work environment.  

• Partner with Revenue & Engagement team on opening procedures for the Retail Store including retail & licensing strategy, standard operating procedures, vendor negotiations, and staff resourcing 

• Support the Director, Retail & Licensing Strategy with developing and implementing new initiatives in line with the department and the Museum’s objectives 

• Partner with the People & Culture team to recruit and onboard frontline retail staff 

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Lucas Museum’s Retail store and licensing initiatives by working closely with colleagues and vendors across the Revenue & Engagement portfolio 

• In partnership with Revenue & Engagement, and Security leadership, develops and updates retail operational procedures, financial controls, and security standards for the retail store 

• Set sales goals, implement innovative sales techniques, drive performance to maximize profits, establish clear KPI’s, and ensure high quality customer experience 

• Lead training of Retail Associates team in partnership with the Retail leadership team 

• Supervise, mentor, and provide coaching to frontline retail staff including driving sales performance, monitoring work, providing feedback and ensuring high customer satisfaction 

• Serve as escalation point for customer feedback, complaints or other issues  

• Ensure our Retail store adheres to local safety protocols and policies and ensure compliance with local state and federal employment laws 

• Oversee inventory audits and RFID tracking processes 

• Actively champion the Museum’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging in hiring, in sourcing and in connection with visitors 

• Maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers aligned with the Museum’s brand and values 

• Support strategic planning, product launches, promotions, and campaigns 

• Serve as escalation point for vendors to ensure timely ordering, delivery, and issue resolution

• 10+ years of experience in a Retail Management role, preferably for an arts & cultural institution or prominent consumer brand 

• 7+ years of management experience hiring, training, and coaching frontline staff 

• Experience in licensing, business development, consumer products, and supplier negotiations 

• Knowledge of intellectual property principles related to retail inventory management 

• Proficiency in POS systems required; experience with Shopify, Square, or similar platforms 

• Experience working with RFID systems strongly preferred 

• Knowledge of health and safety standards and maintaining OSHA compliant operations in California 

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills 

• Excellent team management skills

• 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. 

Building Trust & Relationship Management 

• Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions. 

• Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening. 

• Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding. 

• Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively.  

Accountable Ownership 

• Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally. 

• Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset. 

• Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner. 

Strategic Alignment & Execution 

• Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values. 

• Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model. 

• Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

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MISSION AND VISION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society. 

VALUES

Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

People First : We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.

Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.  

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Narrative Art:

Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration. 

Community:

Connect to a broad and diverse public.

Operational Excellence:

Create a healthy and durable institution. 

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).