"ICA Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations"

Job Details

Benefits: All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU. Consult the benefits website for information on benefits eligibility according to employee type.

Unit: Institute for Contemporary Art MBU

Department: Institute for Contemporary Art

Duties & Responsibilities:

Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations (Part-Time)

Application Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025

Departmental Overview

The department of Facilities and Experience Design is responsible for the stewardship of the ICA's building, the Markel Center, and the operational use of its spaces, including the Lewis & Butler Foundation Shop, the Abby Moore Cafe, the Auditorium, and Thinking Field. The department prioritizes a welcoming, hospitable, safe, engaging, sustainable, and educational visitor experience, serving as an important liaison between the ICA and the communities it serves.

Job Overview Statement

The Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations is a key member of the Institute for Contemporary Arts’s cafe and retail team, supporting the Head of Cafe and Retail Operations in the daily operations of the Lewis & Butler Foundation Shop + Abby Moore Cafe, assisting in the coordination, training, and management of staff, and helping ensure a safe, high-quality, experience for visitors. The ICA’s cafe and retail program is a synthesis of carefully curated food, beverages, products, artist books and editions, and is firmly rooted in our commitment to create sustainable operations that support welcoming, inclusive, and curious art, food, and culture-focused opportunities.

The Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations works with their supervisor to guide visitors in making connections between the ICA’s food and shop program and the work we do across the institution. A welcoming and knowledgeable staff is key to the visitor experience at the ICA, and the Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations helps ensure that employees conduct cafe and retail operations with the ICA’s ethos of hospitality and openness.

The Assistant Manager of Cafe and Retail Operations reports to the Head of Cafe and Retail Operations, assists in the management of a team of hourly and student Visitor Experience of Cafe and Retail Associates, collaborates with colleagues across the ICA, and acts as a liaison and ambassador for the ICA to the communities it serves.

Job Responsibilities Cafe and Retail Operations (60%)

• Maintain ServSafe Manager, or equivalent ANSI-CFP, certification to ensure the highest state standards for food safety and cleanliness
• Enforce and model all food safety policies and procedures
• Assist supervisor in determining and delegating food production for daily service, program hosting, and any additional food prep
• Train staff on menu execution and any updates or changes to the menu
• Maintain appropriate retail and food service inventory practices, assist with food service purchasing and maintain accurate records
• Display a working knowledge of all ingredients and preparation used on the menu
• Consistently oversee that prep station is prepped and stocked throughout service and overall station remains clean and organized
• Effectively oversees, supports and participates in a professionally run service period, ensuring excellence in plate assembly, timing, and communication
• Maintain a calm mental athleticism while managing food and beverage tickets and simultaneously overseeing staff
• Promote teamwork and excellence, working collaboratively and supportively on a small team
• As directed by supervisor, delegate responsibilities to staff, supervising and guiding staff towards utilizing effective sales strategies based on the mission and values of the ICA
• Work in unison with supervisor to help keep staff energized and positive, act as a thought partner, and exchange ideas in a constructive manner to work towards a solution
• Anticipate the needs of the supervisor and provide leadership to staff when they are off the floor
• Manage quality control of all cafe and retail operations, ensuring spaces are clean, well organized, and visually appealing
• Wear an approved ICA uniform while on duty and ensure all VEA staff uniforms comply with established uniform requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Visitor Experience (25%)

• Maintain a positive tone, lead by example, and ensure visitors receive personal, engaged, and informed service that reflects a thorough understanding of operational and aesthetic decisions
• Respond to customer service concerns and inquiries in a timely and appropriate manner and across multiple channels – online, in-person, phone, etc.
• Create a welcoming and hospitable environment for visitors, accurately responding to inquiries in regards to menu, cafe hours, and basic operational information
• Act as a liaison between the guest, management, and staff and communicate accordingly
• Maintain a deep knowledge of the ICA’s values and share these values with visitors while collaborating with colleagues across the ICA to create experiences that help guests make meaningful connections to the ICA and its mission
• Manage point of sale, and as needed, assist supervisor with software updates, item sales and inventory data
• Maintain standards and procedures for the receiving, inventory, checkout, and returns processes
• Other duties as assigned

Administration (15%)

• Manage staff schedule, making certain all shifts are covered, that changes are communicated among team, and that the supervisor is aware of changes
• Submit daily closing report to supervisor at the end of each shift
• Ensure regular inspections of all retail and food service areas, communicate facility repair needs to supervisor, ICA Director of Facilities and Experience Design, VCU Facilities staff, and/or external contractors, and oversee equipment-related maintenance and repairs
• Following guidance of supervisor, maintain appropriate retail and food service ordering and inventory practices
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of customer service experience in a cafe, restaurant and/or hospitality role in a retail environment with a track record of providing excellent food and/or retail service
• Excellent communication skills, including strong relationship skills and demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• Ability to work in a steady manner and remain engaged during slow and busy points of service
• Demonstrated ability to maintain composure under pressure
• Experience with retail point of sales systems
• Experience with inventory management
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, nights, and weekends
• Ability to walk or stand for long periods of time
• Experience in a guest-facing role in a restaurant, cafe, or retail establishment

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and/or enthusiasm for how coffee is grown, sourced, roasted, prepared, and served
• Knowledge and/or enthusiasm for how food is grown, sourced, prepared, and served
• Passion and curiosity for food and the hospitality business
• Able to provide constructive feedback to supervisor about staff and daily service
• ServSafe Manager or equivalent ANSI Certification
• Experience complying to Virginia Food Laws
• Experience with processes and principles of ecommerce
• Knowledge of/engagement with contemporary art and culture

Application Deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025

Salary Range: $20-24/hour

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: Up to 29 hours per week on average

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Rank: Non Faculty

Contact Information: Contact Name: VCUarts HR Contact Email: artshr@vcu.edu