Visitor Service Manager

Hampton University; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampton University is seeking a Visitor Service Manager to develop and implement audience-centered services for the Hampton University Museum. Responsibilities include overseeing the museum store, coordinating tours, providing customer service, and managing marketing activities. The position requires strong customer service skills, experience in museums or retail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. This is a grant-funded role with responsibilities including volunteer management and gallery maintenance.

Qualifications

• Excellent customer service skills to engage with a diverse audience.
• Ability to operate point-of-sale systems effectively.
• Experience working in galleries, museums, or customer service.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement audience-centered visitor services.
• Manage the Museum Store and coordinate guided tours.
• Prepare promotional materials and manage museum marketing activities.

Skills

Customer service skills

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Graphic design skills

Point-of-sale system experience

Ability to work independently and as a team

Education

Undergraduate degree in Fine Art, Marketing, or Art History

Job description

Visitor Service Manager – Hampton, VA 23668

Salary: $0.00 semi‑monthly.

Location: 200 William R. Harvey Way, Hampton, VA 23668

Description

The Visitor Service Manager will develop and implement audience‑centered visitor services and engagement strategies for the Hampton University Museum. Responsibilities include providing excellent customer service to museum constituents, managing the Museum Store, coordinating guided and self‑guided tours, overseeing retail operations, managing volunteers, docents, and work‑study students, and assisting with gallery maintenance, program coordination, and exhibition installation. The role also involves marketing activities such as preparing promotional materials and social media updates, and supporting the membership program and benefits. This is a grant‑funded position; continuation depends on grant availability.

Examples of Duties

• Work cooperatively with others and accept directions from supervisors.
• Communicate with museum visitors, volunteers, students, museum store vendors, consultants, and contractors.
• Prepare written documents, spreadsheets, and inventory records.
• Open and close the building during public hours on Saturdays, select programs and events, and monitor museum security with work‑study students and volunteers.
• Manage the museum store overall, purchase merchandise, and work with vendors.
• Maintain store inventory and assist with the selling and merchandising of the International Review of African American Art (IRAAA) journal.
• Collaborate with the Digital Outreach Coordinator and the Administrative/Assistant Editor of the IRAAA.
• Assist in gallery maintenance, ensuring all materials needed for exhibition installation are available.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

• Ensure a positive and memorable experience for visitors.
• Engage visitors with welcoming and efficient dialogue such as greeting and orienting guests, responding to inquiries.
• Ability to quickly learn and perform all duties with accuracy and efficiency.
• Must possess excellent customer‑service skills and a welcoming demeanor to successfully engage and interact with a diverse audience.
• An ability to calmly and effectively direct large crowds.
• Experience operating point‑of‑sale systems.
• Experience in customer service and prioritizing multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with the museum field a plus.
• Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Demonstration of creative graphic‑design skills and experience.
• Proficiency in operating Microsoft Office Suite and ability to quickly learn new programs.
• Experience working in galleries and museums and/or customer service experience in hospitality, retail, or museum setting.
• Willingness to work independently and as a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, members of the Hampton University community, and the public.
• Maintain a clean and orderly appearance in the museum store and storage areas.
• Ability to work on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and as needed for special events.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time; ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Supplemental Information

• Undergraduate degree preferred in Fine Art, Marketing, or Art History.
• Experience working in retail, visitor services, and museum installation/preparatory work.
• Three to five years of full‑time museum work, or over 20 hours a week part‑time.