Assistant Retail Manager

Tohono Chul; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Tohono Chul is seeking an Assistant Retail Manager to enhance guest experiences and manage retail operations across its three shops. This full-time position will support admissions, oversee staff, and drive initiatives that align with Tohono Chul’s mission. Ideal candidates will have extensive retail management experience and demonstrate strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience in retail operations or customer service.
• Ability to manage conflicts and foster a team environment.
• Experience working in admissions or guest services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of retail shops and admissions.
• Lead the annual Merry Market and coordinate logistics.
• Support training for retail and admissions staff.

Skills

Leadership

Customer Service

Organizational Skills

Initiative

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems

Job description

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The Assistant Retail Manager supports the daily operations of Tohono Chul’s three retail shops and the admissions window, ensuring a smooth, guest-focused experience across all points of entry. This position plays a central role in coordinating retail and admissions functions, with a strong emphasis on admissions operations, staff support, and frontline leadership. Working closely with the Retail & Admissions Manager and Retail Operations Coordinator, the Assistant Manager helps maintain consistent procedures, reinforce excellent customer service, and manage daily logistics. The Assistant Retail Manager helps ensure that the shops fulfill mission-aligned goals by supporting the curation of high-quality, museum-caliber merchandise and reinforcing an authentic Sonoran Desert experience for all guests.

In addition to supporting retail operations, the Assistant Retail Manager directly oversees the Retail Nursery Coordinator, Guest Services Associates, Retail Associates, and volunteers, ensuring appropriate coverage, training, and performance standards are met. This position is also responsible for ensuring admissions staff have timely access to accurate and up-to-date information on park activities and events so they can effectively support guests. The Assistant Manager supports pop-up sales and leads the annual Merry Market, working with vendors and internal teams to ensure successful execution. They also collaborate with the marketing team to maintain and grow Tohono Chul’s online gift shop experience. Additional responsibilities include product sourcing, vendor communication, invoice tracking, and coordination with the Finance department. A key presence on the sales floor, this role models a positive attitude, initiative, and professionalism while supporting the training and performance of staff and volunteers.

The Assistant Retail Manager acts as Manager on Duty when the Retail & Admissions Manager is absent, overseeing staff and handling operational decisions as needed.

This is a full-time position requiring availability on evenings, weekends, and holidays to support daily operations and special events. The role includes both indoor and outdoor work, often in varying weather conditions, and requires a hands-on approach to team leadership, customer service, and daily execution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with the Retail & Admissions Manager to review budget performance, sales trends, and guest experience goals, ensuring progress is on track and identifying areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to lead and maintain a compelling and accurate online gift shop experience.
• Assist with identifying new merchandise and vendor opportunities in alignment with Tohono Chul’s mission and guest preferences.
• Lead the annual Merry Market, coordinating logistics, vendor relations, and visual merchandising to ensure a successful event.
• Support the Retail & Admissions Manager in implementing department goals and strategies that enhance revenue and guest engagement.
• Assist with the training of retail and admissions staff and volunteers to ensure consistency in service, sales, and product knowledge.

Operations & Oversight

• Oversee the daily operations of the admissions window and three retail shops, ensuring guest-facing staff are informed, prepared, and supported.
• Directly supervise the Retail Nursery Coordinator, Guest Services Associates, Retail Associates, and Volunteers.
• Work collaboratively with the Retail & Admissions Manager to maintain consistency in daily procedures, scheduling, and inventory processes.
• Manage vendor communications, coordinate product orders, collect invoices, and work with the Finance department to ensure timely payments.
• Support inventory tracking, restocking, and pricing accuracy in coordination with the Guest Services Coordinator.
• Support pop-up sales and seasonal retail events by assisting with planning, setup, and team coordination.
• Review admissions data regularly to monitor visitation trends, support staffing decisions, and inform guest experience improvements.
• Ensure retail and admissions teams are equipped with up-to-date information about park events, activities, and guest programs.

Guest Experience & Team Support

• Serve as Manager on Duty when the Retail & Admissions Manager is absent, overseeing daily operations and staff performance.
• Provide leadership on the sales floor by modeling excellent customer service, resolving guest concerns, and coaching staff as needed.
• Foster a positive, solutions-oriented work environment that supports collaboration, accountability, and team morale.
• Maintain a strong presence at the admissions window, ensuring coverage and a welcoming guest arrival experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the success of Tohono Chul’s retail and admissions operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of three years of experience in retail operations, customer service, or a related field, with at least two years in a supervisory role.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively train, support, and delegate to staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple personalities, resolve conflicts professionally, and foster a positive team environment.
• Experience in admissions, guest services, or other frontline hospitality operations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to shifting needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiative-driven with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Experience managing vendor communications, collecting invoices, and working with finance teams to process payments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for daily operations and special events.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 40 lbs., standing for extended periods, and working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Preferred:

• Experience working in nonprofit, museum, public garden, or tourism-related retail environments.
• Familiarity with regional artists, artisans, and mission-aligned vendors.
• Background in visual merchandising and display execution.
• Experience coordinating seasonal or pop-up retail events.
• Familiarity with e-commerce or online retail platforms.
• Knowledge of membership-based sales programs or visitor engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of and interest in Sonoran Desert plants, native gardening, or sustainable landscaping practices.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand for extended periods; use hands to handle, operate, or manipulate objects; and reach with hands and arms. The role frequently requires walking between multiple retail locations, climbing or balancing on ladders or step stools, and performing physical tasks such as stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The employee must be able to talk and hear to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and guests. Manual dexterity is required for operating point-of-sale (POS) systems, handling transactions, and performing computer-based tasks.

The employee must frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 40 pounds; any weight exceeding this should be lifted with assistance. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including high temperatures, cold, wind, and occasional rain. Repetitive motions such as scanning items, handling merchandise, and restocking inventory are also a regular part of the job.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position operates in both indoor and outdoor environments, requiring frequent movement between multiple retail locations across the gardens. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, including intense sun, high heat, cold, wind, and occasional rain. Shade and climate control may be limited in certain work areas. The work environment can be fast-paced, requiring the ability to manage multiple tasks while engaging with guests, staff, and volunteers in a dynamic setting. Retail spaces may have limited storage, requiring organization and efficiency in handling inventory and displays. The role also includes extended periods of standing, walking, and performing physical tasks in varying temperatures.

About Tohono Chul Park

Tohono Chul is a 49-acre public garden in Tucson, Arizona whose mission is to enrich people’s lives by connecting them with the wonders of nature, art, and culture in the Sonoran Desert region and to inspire wise stewardship of the natural world. Founded in 1985, Tohono Chul has been a celebrated destination for locals to global visitors and is deemed “One of the World’s Ten Best Botanical Gardens” by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Sales and Business Development

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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