"Visitor Service Manager"

Description

The Visitor Service Manager will develop and implement audience-centered visitor services and engagement strategies for the Hampton University Museum. The manager will provide excellent customer service to museum's constituents and responsible for maintaining the Museum Store. Primary: Interact with incoming patrons and serve as the liaison for guided and self-guided tours. Deliver all aspects of the retail operation: from maintaining a clean and tidy workplace, shop purchases, sales, on line store and mailings; inventory and continued development of the store. Manage volunteer/docents and work study students. May be called upon to assist with Gallery maintenance coordinate assigned programs and events; patrolling galleries; assist in maintaining inventory of and ordering of gallery lighting fixtures; assist with installation of exhibitions including changing gallery lights and other duties as assigned. Marketing: prepare promotional materials and social media updates for all aspects of the store. Assist with membership program and benefits.

Environmental Monitoring Duties: Assist the Curator of Collections and Registrar with seasonal visible and ultraviolet light readings used to develop a more protected environment for museum objects. Perform integrated pest management of pests inside structures and work on exclusion measures as appropriate. Manage acquisition of temperature and humidity data and some analysis of site data.

This is a grant-funded position. Continuation of the position is contingent upon the continuation of related grant funding.

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.
• Open and close building during public hours on Saturday's, select programs, and events and monitor museum security, work-study students and volunteers.
• Manage the museum store overall, purchase merchandise for the store, and work with vendors.
• Responsible for store inventory and assisting with the sell and merchandising of the International Review of African American Art (IRAAA) journal.
• Work collaboratively with the Digital Outreach Coordinator and the Administrative/Assistant Editor of the IRAAA.
• Assist in gallery maintenance including assuring that all materials needed for installation of exhibitions are on hand.
• 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 - 4 pm 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, Art History.
• Experience working in retail, visitor services and in Museum installation and preparatory work.
• Three to five years working full-time in a museum or over 20 hours a week part-time.

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