Director, Retail & Attractions

Great Wolf Lodge; Connecticut; On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonuses

Paid time off

Job summary

Great Wolf Lodge in Connecticut seeks a Director of Retail & Attractions to lead the retail, attractions and entertainment teams, building high-performing groups and coaching staff to deliver joyful guest experiences.

You will own the strategy, performance insights and budgets, driving cross‑functional initiatives with corporate and lodge teams to enhance guest engagement and revenue while upholding safety and cleanliness standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Parks, Resorts and/or Gaming Retail operations management.
• Experience leading broad and diverse teams, developing strategy, managing projects/initiatives timelines & ability to manage major initiatives including all capex initiative coordination, project delivery, new resort retail location design.
• Strong financial acumen including experience building and managing multi department budgets.
• Strong presentation and writing skills with knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote, MSWord, MS Excel.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of all retail areas including gift shops and attractions.
• Oversee merchandising functions including store display, inventory, pricing, sourcing and budgeting.
• Manage staff including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, performance reviews, and corrective action.
• Develop lodge action plans based on insights and KPIs to drive revenue and guest satisfaction.
• Own budgets and five-year planning, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy.
• Liaise on all retail/attractions projects and ensure timelines and budgets are met.
• Collaborate with cross-divisional teams (Attractions, F&B, Operations, Rooms) to integrate initiatives.
• Act as liaison for lodge retail & attractions technology needs with Corporate IT.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial acumen

Communication

Team building

Project management

Education

Associate degree in Business Administration or related field

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

PowerPoint

Keynote

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Pay: $95000 per year - $95000 per yearThe Director of Retail & Attractions brings joy to families by leading the retail, attractions and entertainment teams to success. This role exists to build excellent teams, train and coach pack members to reach their potential as they facilitate fun and memorable experiences for our guests. This position exists to execute the retail, attractions and entertainment strategies and SOPs, draw performance insights out of trend analysis/business KPI's/operational observations, develop lodge action plans based on those insights and measure results to adjust strategy as appropriate.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesResponsible for the daily operation of all retail areas including gift shops and attractionsOversees all merchandising functions including store display and design, inventory, tracking and analyzing, merchandise purchasing, par levels and pricing, merchandise/materials sourcing. Manages staff of managers, supervisors, leads, pack members to including interviewing, hiring, scheduling, performance reviews, and corrective actionDrive employee engagement and ensure employees deliver sales based services by engaging every guest, every timeProvide training and coaching for team on how to deliver guest experience and revenue resultsBuild a comprehensive retail & attractions strategy by outlet ensuring that the strategy aligns with overall corporate strategic directionOwns, drives and grows the entertainment function within the lodge focused on character activations, kids activites and family experiences.Build and maintain accurate budgets including building framework for annual & five year planning and capital needs at the lodgeAct as the key liaison & primary point of contact on all retail/attractions related projects, builds, initiatives and ensure budgets and timelines are being adhered toDiscern insights based in understanding relevant market and guest population trends, key business performance metrics and operational feedback to develop appropriate plans and forecasts for the retail & attractions business by outlet/by lodgePartner in developing key retail reporting targeted at deeper insights into what is and isn't driving the retail & attractions businesses and adjusting course as warranted in real timePartner extensively with peer team on integration of key initiatives that cross divisions such as Attractions, Food & Beverage, Operations, Rooms, etc.Serve as the key point of contact for onsite FEG Arcade manager and assist in communications to corporate on all arcade related issues and performanceAct as the primary liaison for lodge related retail & attractions technology needs and partner closely with Corporate/lodge IT to deliver the tools and processes required to move the business forward in line with strategyEnsure all retail & attractions and entertainment standard operating and preventative maintenance processes are being executed in the lodgeAssists the General Manager in every day operations of the Resort with scheduled Manager on Duty shiftsAssures that all Retail and Attractions and Entertainment areas achieve the highest standards in areas of cleanliness, safety, presentation and serviceBasic Qualifications & SkillsAssociate degree in Business Administration or a related field, Fashion Merchandising or equivalent experienceMinimum 5 years of experience in Parks, Resorts and/or Gaming Retail operations managementDemonstrated experience in leading broad and diverse teams, developing strategy, managing projects/initiatives timelines & ability to manage major initiatives including all capex initiative coordination, project delivery, new resort retail location designStrong financial acumen including experience building and managing multi department budgetsStrong presentation and writing skills with knowledge of PowerPoint, Keynote, MSWord, MS ExcelDemonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlinesDesired Qualifications and TraitsBachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field, Fashion Merchandising or equivalent experienceDemonstrated experience working with C-suite executives on strategy communication.Demonstrated communication and team building skillsPhysical RequirementsAbility to lift 30 lbs.Ability to sit, stand and/or walk for long periods of timeAbility to bend, stretch and twistEstimated Salary Range:$95000 per year - $95000 per year annual base salaryAn employee’s pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, travel requirements, revenue-based metrics, any contractual agreements, and business or organizational needs. The range listed is just one component of Great Wolf’s total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, a Paid Time Off policy, and other perks.This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and for inquiring about, discussing or disclosing compensation. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Native Americans receive preference in accordance with Tribal Law.