Retail Store Manager

Smithsonian Enterprises; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithsonian Enterprises’ Retail Team in Washington, DC seeks an experienced Retail Store Manager to maximize guest experience, oversee store operations, and meet financial goals through excellent products, services, and experiences. The role focuses on people, process, and performance in a high-volume setting.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree and 2–4 years of retail leadership, with strong training in cash management, inventory, and POS systems, and a proven ability to lead diverse

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 2–4 years of related retail management experience in guest service retail environments.
• Strong leadership, problem solving, motivation and team culture skills.
• Experience managing cash, inventory and POS systems.
• Experience interpreting and using retail sales data and metrics.

Responsibilities

• Manage store operations in line with Smithsonian culture and service standards.
• Drive sales through customer service, operations, merchandising and inventory management.
• Plan and allocate store resources to maximize sales and profitability.
• Recruit, train and coach a knowledgeable store team.
• Model and teach exemplary customer service and merchandising standards.
• Ensure compliance with safety, loss prevention, inventory control and cash handling procedures.

Skills

Retail leadership

Customer service

Inventory management

Cash handling

Merchandising

POS systems

Sales data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: 25 September 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $65,000 / year

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

What are Trust Fund Positions?

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).

Conditions of Employment

• 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