Job Type

Full-time
Description
Department: Museum Store
Reports to: Director of Retail
Classification: Non-exempt/hourly
Schedule: Full time, preferred
Pay rate: $20.00 per hour
This is an onsite, Boston-based position. Local candidates strongly preferred. No agencies, please.
We encourage candidates to upload photos of past product displays (this can be attached with your resume).
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Core Values
Isabella Stewart Gardner believed that art had the power to change lives and she built a beautiful, personal, and immersive Museum setting to do so. Today the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM) is a living embodiment of her bold vision; it's a dynamic place where ideas and creativity in all its forms inspire visitors. Through exhibitions, music, programs, and performances we strive to tell new stories and challenge assumptions by engaging diverse voices and community members.
Our Core Values are:

• Creativity is our Legacy
• Community is our Purpose
• The Collection is our Catalyst
• Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion are our Commitments

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum seeks to connect past with present, develop and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with our local communities and artists, expand and diversify our audiences, and generate opportunities for creativity. We are firmly committed to creating both an inclusive work culture and a welcoming visitor experience. Our five-year strategic plan outlines the Museum's core values, goals, and initiatives that serve as a renewal of Isabella's promise for the Museum to be a place for "the education and enjoyment of the public forever."
Position Summary
The Sales and Merchandising Associate will partner with the Director of Retail, Assistant Store Manager, and colleagues to help our customers find the perfect memento for their visit to the Gardner Museum. They will be knowledgeable about the products presented, fluent in the services that the Museum has to offer, and will promote the Museum's mission, exhibitions, programs, and special events. As a representative of the Museum, the Sales Associate will maintain the highest level of courtesy and service to the visiting public.
The Sales and Merchandising Associate will also partner with the Director of Retail to establish and execute merchandising plans at regular intervals, such as seasonal product releases and exhibition openings. They must maintain an awareness of customer behavior, merchandise safety, and sales rates to create displays that are visually engaging, shoppable, and drive revenue.
Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities
Merchandising

• Assist in the shared team responsibility of ensuring smooth flow of merchandise to the sales floor.
• Under the direction of the Director of Retail, establish and execute new visual merchandising plans at regular intervals, such as seasonal product releases and exhibition openings.
• Maintain an awareness of customer behavior, merchandise safety, and sales rates to create displays that are visually engaging, shoppable, and drive revenue.
• Be flexible to shifts in visual merchandising to meet the needs of the business.

Customer Service

• Arrive on time for all assigned shifts.
• Create a welcoming experience for customers by providing excellent customer service.
• Prepare the store for daily opening and closing in a safe and efficient manner; count cash drawers, ensure POS equipment is properly working, replenish back stock of products and all other store supplies.
• Assist with in-person transactions, online order pick-ups, and phone special orders.
• Maintain merchandise displays and store appearance, ensuring the sales floor is fully stocked and visually inspiring.
• Remain knowledgeable about store sales goals and actively participate in achieving those goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge about the store's products and policies, as well as exhibitions and programs happening in the Museum.

Demeanor and Interpersonal Relationships

• Warmly engage customers and ask open-ended questions to uncover their needs.
• Be a friendly and approachable presence to all customers in our store and courteously respond to all inquiries.
• Utilize sales talents to excite customers about our product assortment and close sales.
• Remain calm and patient during peak traffic times.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Assist the Director of Retail, Assistant Store Manager, and colleagues in administrative activities related to store operations and setting up for special events and special sales.
• Communicate with colleagues in a joint effort to close sales and maintain flow of merchandise as a team.

Problem Solving

• Possess a solutions-oriented approach to customer inquiries.
• Be able to think on your feet to troubleshoot minor problems; ask for help when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Required

• Prior retail merchandising experience.
• Open-minded and takes feedback well.
• Outstanding customer service background and skillset.
• Prior professional retail sales experience.
• Ability to work well in a team environment; exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Proactive.
• Able to multitask and prioritize.
• Reliable and prompt.
• Comfortable and competent working with numbers/figures; accuracy.
• Familiarity and comfort with using POS systems.
• Excellent communications skills, especially verbal communications; strong command of the English language.
• Commitment to advancing the ISGM's diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives.
• Ability to safely lift up to 40 pounds; ability to climb ladders.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Desirable

• Museum and/or non-profit experience.
• Prior luxury goods sales experience.

COVID-19 Protocols
All employees of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination status. If you are not vaccinated, you will need to participate in an interactive process to request a religious or medical accommodation and to submit weekly test results, in addition to following other federal, state and CDC recommendations.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion is one of the core values we hold close to our business practices. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is committed to affording equal opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, genetics, military/veteran status, pregnancy, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable laws.
Request an Accommodation
Applicants with disabilities who are unable to fully access ISGM's online application system may contact us at hr@isgm.org for assistance with a reasonable accommodation.
Salary Description

$20.00/hour