Retail Store Manager

Smithsonian Institution; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Transit/Commuter Benefits

Annual and Sick Leave

403b Retirement Plan

Smithsonian Membership Discounts

Credit Union

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's Retail Team at the National Air & Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington DC is seeking an experienced Retail Store Manager who will maximize the guest experience, oversee store operations, and meet financial goals through outstanding products, services and experiences.

You will recruit, train and coach a motivated sales staff, manage payroll and inventory, ensure compliance with safety and loss-prevention standards, and deliver exemplary customer service in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid experience managing all aspects of a retail store (sales and customer service leadership, inventory management, merchandising).
• Demonstrated leadership, problem solving, motivation and team culture development.

Responsibilities

• Manage store operations to align with Smithsonian culture and customer service standards.
• Drive sales through exceptional customer service, operations, merchandising and inventory management.
• Plan resources (payroll, staff, merchandise) to maximize sales and profitability.
• Recruit, train and coach a knowledgeable sales team.
• Model and teach staff to deliver exemplary service and uphold standards.
• Ensure compliance with safety, loss prevention, inventory control and cash handling.

Skills

Sales and Customer Service Leadership

Inventory Management

Merchandising

Cash Management

POS Cash Register Systems

Data & Metrics Analysis

Communication

Microsoft Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university

Tools

POS cash register systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Retail Store Manager

Application Deadline: 25 September 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Retail Group Manager

Compensation: $65,000 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 16, 2026

CLOSING DATE: September 25, 2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

The Retail Team at Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum on the National Mall in Washington DC is currently seeking an experienced Retail Store Manager who can maximize the GUEST experience, manage store operations, and meet financial goals by ensuring excellent products, services and experiences within their store locations. Our Retail Store Managers focus on people, process, and performance - managing teams focused on complex product and receiving practices, with the most distinguished levels of customer service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include:

• Manage your store to ensure all operations are consistent with the Smithsonian culture, our world-class customer service focus, and visual and merchandising standards.
• Drive sales through customer service, strategic store operations, and effective merchandising and inventory management. Ensures ongoing product training with staff on sales technique and product knowledge.
• Strategically plan and allocate store resources (payroll, staff, merchandise) to maximize store sales and profitability and reduce inefficiencies.
• Recruit, train and coach a knowledgeable and motivated store sales team.
• Model, coach and teach your team to deliver exemplary customer service and uphold our merchandising and operational standards.
• Ensure compliance to all guidelines involved with safety, loss prevention, inventory control and cash handling procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, and 2 to 4 years related retail management experience in specialized guest service retail environments, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated retail leadership skills for problem solving, communicating, motivation and driving positive team culture.

• Solid experience managing all aspects of a retail store (Sales and Customer Service Leadership, Inventory Management, Human Resources Management, Merchandising).
• Passion for providing and modeling superior service; Experience with high-volume retail.
• Proven leadership skills by building trust, credibility and partnership with supervisors, direct reports, and museum partners.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively build, motivate, and supervise a diverse staff.
• Solid experience with cash management, inventory management, and POS cash register systems.
• Experience interpreting, analyzing and utilizing retail sales data and metrics.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends and holidays, in order to meet the ever-changing needs of a dynamic retail business.
• Must bring a reputation for conducting themselves with integrity, both personally and professionally.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo