Retail Associate

Lucasmuseum; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is seeking a Retail Associate to serve as a brand ambassador in a curated museum shop environment. You will deliver a guest-centered experience, connect visitors with stories behind exhibitions, and guide purchases with care.

Ideal candidates bring premium retail or hospitality experience, strong POS skills, and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. Flexible schedule including weekends and special events is required.

Qualifications

• Customer-facing or sales experience in premium retail or service environments.
• Experience in arts/cultural organizations or high-volume settings.
• Ability to drive sales through product knowledge and relationship-building.
• Familiarity with retail operations, inventory management, and RFID systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a welcoming, attentive, and personalized retail experience for guests.
• Engage guests with product knowledge, linking merchandise to exhibitions and narratives.
• Operate POS systems with accuracy and discretion for smooth transactions.
• Maintain visually balanced merchandising displays aligned with museum standards.
• Support pricing, packaging, and inventory accuracy with care.
• Address guest inquiries with professionalism and thoughtful solutions.
• Collaborate with team to achieve sales goals while maintaining the guest-centered environment.
• Assist opening/closing procedures and keep the space inviting.

Skills

Customer service

Sales experience

POS proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Visual merchandising

Team collaboration

Tools

Shopify

Square POS

RFID inventory

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Retail Manager, the Retail Associate serves as a key ambassador of the museum brand, delivering an elevated guest‑centered experience within a thoughtfully curated retail environment. This role combines exceptional customer service with strong sales support, engaging visitors through meaningful storytelling, guiding purchases with intention, and ensuring every interaction reflects the artistry and mission of the museum.

With a strong command of POS operations, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving, the Retail Associate ensures seamless transactions, visually engaging merchandising standards, and a boutique experience that extends the museum journey beyond its walls.

The Retail Associate is available as both a full‑time and part‑time opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact, providing a welcoming, attentive, and personalized retail experience that anticipates guest needs and supports exceptional service.
• Engage guests with product knowledge, connecting merchandise to exhibitions, artists, and cultural narratives.
• Operate POS systems with accuracy and discretion, ensuring a smooth, polished transaction experience.
• Uphold high merchandising standards, ensuring displays are aesthetically balanced and aligned with museum standards and brand.
• Support pricing, packaging, and inventory accuracy with strong attention to detail, thoughtful presentation, and care.
• Respond to guest inquiries and concerns with professionalism, confidence, and thoughtful solutions.
• Collaborate with team members to achieve sales goals while preserving a cohesive, elevated, guest‑centered environment.
• Support opening and closing procedures, while maintaining a polished, inviting retail space aligned with the museum’s visual standards.

Qualifications

• Customer‑facing and/or sales experience in premium retail, hospitality, cultural, or service‑oriented, high‑touch environments preferred; open to all experience levels and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply.
• Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high‑volume setting with elevated guest service standards desired.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building, and conversion techniques.
• Understanding of retail operations, including inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systems.
• Proficiency in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain visually compelling, gallery‑inspired merchandising displays.
• Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presence.
• Proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with strong problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and special museum programs, exhibitions, and events.

Work Environment

This role is performed primarily in a public‑facing museum retail environment with frequent interaction with visitors, staff, vendors, and other museum departments.

The retail space may be active and fast‑paced, particularly during weekends, holidays, exhibitions, programs, and special events.

May require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time during scheduled shifts.
• Ability to lift, carry, unpack, and restock merchandise up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to bend, reach, climb step stools as needed, and perform repetitive motions associated with POS operation, packaging, tagging, and merchandising.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Equal Opportunity

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.