What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Museum Stores & Visitor Services position at HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN PENNS?
Job Details
Description
About Senator John Heinz History Center
The Senator John Heinz History Center is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum and a first-day Pittsburgh attraction that presents compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection, all in an interactive and engaging environment for visitors of all ages. The largest history museum in Pennsylvania, the AAM-accredited History Center attracts large and diverse audiences to its 370,000-square-foot facility in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District that includes six floors of long-term and changing exhibition space along with spectacular spaces for special events.
The History Center’s family of museums includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a dynamic museum-within-a-museum; the Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Washington County, Pa. The History Center also leads a partnership of more than 125 regional historical societies, museums, and organizations dedicated to preserving local history – the History Center Affiliates Program.
A popular destination for families and visitors to our region, the History Center attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually and reaches millions through virtual programs and digital outreach. The History Center was recently recognized as America’s #1 History Museum by USA TODAY and “Pittsburgh’s Best Museum” by Pittsburgh Magazine.
About the Position:
The Heinz History Center is seeking a Director of Museum Stores and Visitor Services. This individual has responsibility for overseeing the front-of-house operations of the History Center and leading a team of Visitor Services Associates to achieve the goal of providing excellent customer service efficiently and effectively to all History Center visitors. Excellent customer service includes a friendly and welcoming admissions process, an engaging museum store, visitor services that meet all guests’ needs, and food service amenities, all with an entrepreneurial spirit.
The successful candidate manages a full-time team of three direct reports, and a team of hourly Visitor Services Associates. The Director of Museum Stores and Visitor Services is the on-site lead for the point-of-sale system and is responsible for SKU management and control, and reports for inventory sales, café sales, and admissions. The Director also serves as the museum’s Accessibility Coordinator and will lead the forthcoming VisitPITTSBURGH Welcome Center.
The Director of Museum Stores and Visitor Services manages both the on-site Museum Shop and e-commerce operations, the museum’s wholesale operations, and provides guidance for the stores at both Fort Pitt and Meadowcroft. Museum Shop management includes product selection and purchasing to support History Center exhibits and strategic goals, product development, and inventory control. The Director of Museum Stores and Visitor Services also coordinates with museum staff to provide appropriate merchandise and sales support for education and public programs. The Director of Museum Stores and Visitor Services also oversees daily operation of the Café at the History Center, ensuring that the Café is maintained to health department food safety standards, and that all Café customers receive excellent service.
This is a full-time, salaried / exempt position reporting to the Vice President & CFO.
Why Work at the History Center?
- Rewarding, mission-driven work that makes an impact in the community!
- Smithsonian-affiliated museum located in Pittsburgh’s vibrant and historic Strip District
- Voted the #1 history museum in the nation by USA Today
- Voted Best Museum in Pittsburgh by Pittsburgh Magazine
- Highly professional, collegial staff and dedicated volunteers
- Located in Pittsburgh, one of America’s “most livable” cities
- Dynamic workplace in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District
- Flexible work schedule, including potential for hybrid work
- Full benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
- 403(B) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick days)
- Nine (9) paid holidays
- Company paid life insurance / LTD
- Wellness and Employee Assistance Program
- Discounts in the Museum Shop and Café
- Public transportation and parking options nearby
Qualifications
- Bachlor’s degree in business or related field
- Three to five years of retail management with an entrepreneurial approach and commensurate supervisory experience. Knowledge of point of sale systems along with a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and related programs.
- Position requires excellent oral and written communications skills; the ability to work as both a team leader and member; the ability to manage multiple projects at the same time with great attention to detail; creativity, levelheadedness, and the ability to problem-solve under pressure.
- Must be available and willing to work weekends regularly and evenings periodically.
The History Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The History Center celebrates diversity and is committed to treating all applicants & employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law.
