"Director of the College Store and Store Experience"

Description

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice President for Campus Life, the Director of the College Store and Store Experience ('Store Manager') is responsible for managing and leading all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the College Store. This position performs a broad spectrum of functions related to the overall management of the store, but not limited to strategic planning, customer service, marketing and promotions, and data and budget analysis. This position works to develop relationships with faculty, academic departments, and students by providing leadership within the operations of the retail store. The Store Manager is responsible for communication strategies from the campus store to the HWS community regarding course materials, emblematic products, general merchandise, and technology goods. The position is also expected to be able to advise on and implement changes due to the ongoing dynamics of higher education retail. The Store Manager must also demonstrate and possess a high standard of work, organization, and prioritization. Most importantly, the Store Manager leads educational experiences of a hands-on, student advisory board including a Student CEO and project leads. The Store Manager participates in active mentorship of students employed at the store and works with Campus Life and associated faculty to facilitate successful for-credit internship opportunities.

70% - Leadership and Academic/Student Support:

• Responsible for developing, monitoring, and achieving strategic and financial goals for the College Store. Monitors and analyzes results and recommends action including revision of plans.
• Keeps abreast of industry standards and higher education trends and developments. Is knowledgeable about evolving college retail developments, new marketing ideas, and changes throughout the general higher education retail industry. Maintains current knowledge of alternative delivery platforms and the associated solutions available to HWS customers.
• Spearheads the development, execution, and maintenance of communication and marketing plans directed towards students, faculty, and staff. Facilitates marketing and customer service strategies to increase engagement and utilization with the College Store and the College Store eCommerce site. Approves the content of print, email, and social media communication to students, staff, and faculty of College Store promotional materials.
• Administratively responsible for the campus-wide adoption process for course materials; including new, used, digital, rental, and Equitable Access textbooks. Communicates and empowers the course material program of HWS and the College Store. Works with key campus stakeholders to create dynamic course material strategies. Establishes and maintains campus and faculty relationships to ensure timely submission of course requirements, which includes visiting academic departments to ensure high visibility and connection between HWS and the College Store.
• In conjunction with stakeholders, such as Communications, oversee the buying and merchandising of general merchandise and emblematic product, ensuring assortments align with the HWS brand, student preferences, seasonal demand, and financial objectives. Manages inventory investment, vendor relationships, and compliance with institutional licensing standards.
• Engages student employees and student leadership in the buying and merchandising process through hands-on learning opportunities, including product selection, trend analysis, visual merchandising input, and post-season performance review, supporting experiential learning and professional development.
• Maintains the highest level of customer service to HWS students, staff, and faculty populations, while being cognizant of HWS efforts in offering the lowest cost and broadest content access to students.
• Coaches and communicates with the store team, including student leadership positions, about retail strategies and services. Shares technical knowledge and provides recommendations about ways to connect customers with the right solutions or products. Encourages professional development opportunities for student staff. Develops and manages staff recognition program.
• Develops effective partnerships with colleagues in a variety of college offices including campus academic departments, Advancement, HWS Athletics, Office of Communications, Admissions, Campus Life, and Facilities Management.

30% - Financial Management:

• Produces and reviews financial information and reports, including monthly profit and loss statements, financial analyses, and benchmarking data.
• Maintains responsibility for all financial aspects of the College Store, including equipment, receivables, physical inventory, petty cash, and accounts payable. This also includes managing expenses to meet financial goals.
• Develops the annual budget and monthly income and expense projections.

Other Information

This is a full-time, 12-month, 37.5 hours/week, benefits-eligible hourly position. Normal working hours are 8:30 am - 5 pm and there is a shortened workweek during the scheduled summer hours time period. This position description is not all-inclusive, as other tasks or responsibilities are often assigned. Salary range: $75-$80k

About HWS

A liberal arts and sciences institution, Hobart and William Smith is known for consistent success in preparing students for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers through an outcomes-based focus on their futures. Our nationally ranked faculty are accessible teachers and scholars known for the impact of their research and distinguished by the depth of their mentorship. World challenges are studied in the classroom where critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are honed. In the field, knowledge turns into discovery. In office hours, plans are carefully crafted to tie interests and talents to an academic path that motivates beyond graduation.

Our location in the heart of the Finger Lakes allows faculty, staff and students to live and work collaboratively on the banks of a resource-rich lake. Student-athletes play for 30 varsity teams boasting 24 national titles, including the 2023 and 2024 NCAA DIII Men's Ice Hockey Championships. With three graduate programs, students can build on their undergraduate degree with a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, or a Master of Science in Management. Together, the experiences and mentorship at HWS prepare students to lead lives of consequence.

Qualifications

Knowledge of retail operations, point of sale systems, accounting principles and practices, and marketing techniques.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, finance, or a related field.
• 7 years' experience in retail management and marketing.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, oral communication, and customer service skills to work in partnership with the faculty, students, and additional campus stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience and significant familiarity with retail management
• Ability to lead, learn, and facilitate under changing conditions and find solutions to meet challenges. Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude and is open to feedback.
• Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making clear, transparent, and timely decisions.
• Ability to utilize various computer applications such as: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Point of Sale systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7 years' experience in retail management and marketing; college/university bookstore environment preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and significant familiarity with the retail management of a college bookstore; with an emphasis on the oversight of all elements relating to successful campus store programs. Knowledge of academia, with considerable years of working experience in higher education retail.
• Proficiency in supporting faculty and academic departments by relating easily to others and building rapport and collaborative relationships. Displays a strong cooperative skillset suitable to effectively represent the College Store while supporting the success of all campus store departments.
• Responds positively to changing college initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the college and can relate this to the College Store and overall strategic operations.
• Applies skills and knowledge to achieve College Store successes. Is able to build productive faculty and academic department relationships to enhance the operation's effectiveness.
• Experience with marketing and promotional activities to promote the sale of Bookstore products and services.

Application Instructions

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/182552