The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

The Design Store Retailer ensures best-in-class client services, providing elevated customer experience through an attentive selling style which includes, thorough product knowledge, conversational selling, and cultivating a positive, enthusiastic, and welcoming store environment. 

Find out more about Idea House 3, a new immersive retail concept at the Walker

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Maintain deep knowledge of our product offerings and institutional events and exhibitions in order to present information to store clients.
• Serve as a primary subject matter expert regarding the design store's immersive retail concept and innovative design offerings.
• Utilize proactive sales strategies that anticipate clients' needs in order to engage people in the sales process as they shop to establish deep relationships that cultivate repeat business.
• Devise ways to share information about new product arrivals and featured designers with our client base.
• Liaise with all necessary internal and external stakeholders to fulfill client service requests, managing the sales process from the point-of-sale through product delivery.
• Maintain and model a professional demeanor at all times, upholding Walker’s performance values of collaboration and communication with colleagues and partners.
• Responsible for supporting the store’s manager in tracking, analyzing, and making sales strategy adjustments in order to achieve team sales goals.
• Support store operations by restocking products, merchandising, managing inventory, and maintaining a clean and presentable space.
• Assist Walker’s online sales through client correspondence, product management, and order fulfillment.
• Support and grow customer loyalty by offering memberships and through daily follow up by: Phone, email, and through the stores online chat applications.
• Work a schedule that aligns with our customer and business needs including special events (this includes early morning, evening shifts and weekends)
• Support the store through a dynamic visual merchandising strategy. This includes ensuring the product is organized, signed correctly, and merchandised to support trends and events.
• Maintain and elevate general store operations through efficient stocking and inventory processes, organization, and layout in the backroom and front-of-house store.
• Follow all processes and procedures to maintain a clean, compliant, and safe store environment for staff and clients.

WHAT WE NEED IN YOU

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working in the design industry or luxury retail sales required.
• Must have demonstrated experience providing excellent customer service in a high-touch client relations environment.
• Must have experience achieving specific sales goals independently and within a team context, demonstrating goal orientation and self-motivation.
• Must be able to maintain a high level of organization, and attention to detail throughout a complex sales process.
• Experience with a point-of-sale system (Shopify preferred) and cash handling experience is essential.
• Must be able to articulate a working knowledge of current trends in design, contemporary art, and/or interior home furnishings.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time (6+ hour shifts)
• Ability to lift/push/pull up to 50lbs.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

• This position is considered part-time (up to 30 hours/week, Wednesday - Sunday), non-exempt. As a non-exempt position, it is eligible for overtime pay.
• The minimum compensation rate for this role is $25 per hour. The Walker offers a wide range of benefits for both part-time and full-time employees. 
• This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Vaccination Expectation The Walker Art Center’s COVID vaccination policy requires staff to be fully vaccinated or to supply a negative test every 6 days. We will consider requests for reasonable accommodations based on disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs.

Walker’s DEI commitment The Walker is committed to being an employer with a staff who, at all job levels, reflects the rich diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to ensuring inclusion and equity in all our employment practices. We deeply value and welcome all the unique lived experiences in our applicants and encourage anyone meeting the minimum requirements to apply.

Recruitment Timeline This position will remain open until filled.