Institutional Retail Manager

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2080 annual hours) position. This is a full-time 40 hours per week position with the option to work some days remotely. Some travel is expected with this position for visiting retail outlets around the state.

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESCRIPTION: This position exists to provide the overall planning, purchasing, product development, merchandising, management, and administration of the MNHS retail program. The Institutional Retail Manager leads the Minnesota Historical Society retail strategy with planning, design, and merchandise ordering, and guides the operation of a site’s respective retail operations. This position leads the Retail Team in implementing the department's business, merchandising, and revenue plans, and annual and long-range planning.

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Provide vision and oversight of MNHS retail strategy and operations; 2) Provide supervision, support, and guidance to assigned staff as well as oversight of the day-to-day operations of the department; and 3) Lead a network-wide retail management collaborative team.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five years of experience in retail management in a supervisory role
• Knowledge of business practices, human resource management techniques, budgeting, and financial management
• Knowledge of retail operations, product ordering, inventory management, product development, cash handling requirements, and related duties.
• Familiarity with design principles and experience collaborating with designers.
• Knowledge or ability to learn ticketing, inventory, and online merchandising systems.
• Ability to multitask in a dynamic and demanding environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate plans.
• Willingness to work a flexible daily and/or weekly schedule based on seasonal needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Valid driver’s license.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS IN OR KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining positive relationships with individuals and groups
• Effective oral and written communication skills to communicate with staff, public, and vendors.
• Excellent human relations skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ten years of experience in retail management in a supervisory role
• Knowledge or affinity for Minnesota history.
• Experience working in a mission-driven cultural organization.

DEADLINE DATE: June 23, 2026

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.

Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.