Retail Associates

Frick Collection; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

The Frick Collection is seeking part-time Retail Associates for the Museum Shop. Ideal candidates will offer exceptional customer service, engage with guests, and manage sales transactions effectively. With a competitive hourly wage and diverse responsibilities, this role provides a remarkable opportunity to work in a notable cultural institution.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Plan

Discount on museum shop purchases

Paid Holidays

Retirement Savings Plan

Sick leave up to 56 hours/year

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ retail experience, luxury retail experience a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Fluency in a second language is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service and assist guests with purchases.
• Operate point-of-sale system for transactions and restock inventory.
• Attend ongoing product trainings and communicate product stories to guests.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

Part-time up to 28 hours. Anticipated start date: week of February 24

Compensation: $22.50 per hour

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. Construction has progressed rapidly and, in addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. Frick Madison is now closed to the public. Staff have moved back to 1 East 70th Street and we will reopen to the public in April.

Workplace Culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at The Frick Collection, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Position Summary

The Retail department of The Frick Collection is currently hiring part-time Retail Associates to work in the new Museum Shop. Retail Associates report to the Retail Supervisor on duty for their work shift.

Ideal candidates will understand and be able to adapt to the challenges inherent in a new space and at the same time be an enthusiastic ambassador to the public. The Retail Associate will have prior experience in providing excellent customer service, greeting guests, actively listening, answering questions, providing assistance, and suggesting product. They will attend trainings in order to impart product information, successfully operate our point of sale system, and be able to share information about the museum. They will also attend ongoing product trainings, as an ability to communicate product stories to guests is crucial to this role. Retail Associates provide guests with a gracious, positive, professional and welcoming experience at all times. Associates must have prior experience operating a point-of-sale system from opening to closing and in processing credit card and cash transactions. They will be responsible for restocking inventory and will follow the current merchandising plan at all times. They will be adept at handling and packaging of product following the set guidelines. Successful Associates are strong team players in the department as well as excellent work partners to colleagues in Visitor Experience, Security and all the front-of-house staff.

Requirements

The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.

• Minimum 2 years’ retail experience, luxury retail experience a plus.
• Interest/education in art, art history, design, jewelry a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Fluency in a second language is helpful.
• Ability to operate a point-of-sale system and perform accurate transactions.
• Ability to quickly learn and impart product and general museum information.
• Excellent awareness of surroundings and ability to scan Museum Shop space accurately and help prevent theft and breakage.

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles: the ability to interact in-person with colleagues and use common office tools and machines (computer, phone); and the ability to traverse throughout the offices and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum, and visit different levels of the building. Ability to carry/transport materials and merchandise weighing up to 20 pounds, including lifting and packaging guest purchases.

Employment Status, Work Hours and Compensation

This is a part-time nonexempt role.

The Museum hosts events and other activities for members, donors and the public on evenings and weekends, and the Museum Shop is often open at such times. In addition to working museum opening hours, Retail Associates may be relied upon to work to support these additional evening and weekend events.

Retail Associates are generally scheduled to work between 16 and 24 hours per week, though may be scheduled to work up to 28 hours per week; shifts may vary but are expected to be 8 hours/day 2-3 days/week, including an unpaid lunch break.

Upon reopening The Frick’s opening hours will be Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 - 6:00 PM; on Fridays hours are extended to 9:00 PM.

The Museum is closed on all Federal Holidays, as described below.

Compensation: $22.50/ hour.

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Sick time: Part-time employees and interns accrue sick leave up to 56 hours/year in accordance with the New York City Earned Sick Time Act.

Paid Holidays: Part-time employees receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees and interns in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b).

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets.

Meal and Museum Shop discount: When employees are working onsite, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. All employees are eligible to receive a discount on Frick Museum Shop purchases.

Application Process

Apply here or send cover letter and resume to:

Associate Director of Retail and Product Development

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021