Museum Guest Experience Lead

California Nature Art Museum; Solvang (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend for medical insurance (up to $

Vision and dental insurance coverage.

Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, &

Retirement savings plan

Free or discounted museum admission

Discounts on museum store merchandise.

Job summary

California Nature Art Museum in Solvang, CA seeks a Visitor Services Manager to oversee daily visitor-facing operations and lead the visitor services team. You will support admissions, membership services, and create a welcoming, accessible museum experience for all visitors.

You will supervise staff and volunteers, manage cash handling and store operations, maintain inventory, and coordinate the online store (Shopify) and vendor relations. Weekend duty is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, hospitality, arts administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years in visitor services, customer service, hospitality, or related operations.
• At least 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience scheduling staff.
• Ability to handle sensitive visitor concerns professionally.
• Proficiency with standard office software; willingness to learn museum ticketing, POS, and visitor management systems.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and move around the museum.
• Effective communication with visitors and staff in a busy public environment.
• Ability to lift/move supplies with reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery of high-quality, welcoming, and consistent visitor services.
• Establish service standards reflecting the museum’s mission and hospitality.
• Respond to visitor questions, concerns, complaints, and special requests with professionalism.
• Ensure visitors receive accurate information about exhibitions, programs, events, facilities, policies, and accessibility resources.
• Support a welcoming environment for visitors of diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities, and needs.
• Monitor all visitor-accessed areas and restock materials as needed.
• Manage inventory in store POS system, pricing, approving invoices, and annual inventory.
• Manage the online store (Shopify).
• Maintain relationships with consignment artists and source new vendors.
• Monitor merchandise displays, restock regularly, and clean.
• Provide monthly reports on store sales and profitability.
• Organize annual Holiday Marketplace and trunk shows.
• Supervise visitor services staff and front-of-house volunteers.
• Regularly work at store/admissions desk and provide relief.
• Oversee opening/closing procedures, admission, and front-of-house functions.
• Ensure visitor-facing areas are clean, organized, welcoming, and appropriately staffed.
• Ensure cash handling, daily reconciliations, and related financial records.
• Support membership sales, renewals, benefits fulfillment, and member relations.
• Monitor ticketing systems and visitor services technology; coordinate troubleshooting and training.
• Maintain accurate operational records and attendance reports.
• Serve as primary staff member on duty on the weekends.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Communication

Hospitality

Problem solving

Staff scheduling

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in museum studies/related field

Tools

Shopify

POS system

Ticketing systems

Visitor management systems

Job description

California Nature Art Museum in Solvang, CA seeks a Visitor Services Manager to oversee daily visitor-facing operations and lead the visitor services team. You will support admissions, membership services, and create a welcoming, accessible museum experience for all visitors.

You will supervise staff and volunteers, manage cash handling and store operations, maintain inventory, and coordinate the online store (Shopify) and vendor relations. Weekend duty is required.