Job Details

The Head of Retail role at the Portland Art Museum will oversee the day-to-day operations of The Shop at PAM, delivering a premium, story-driven retail experience that reflects the Museum's mission and inspires visitor engagement. As a key connector between art, culture, and community, The Shop serves as a bridge that extends the magic of PAM beyond the galleries, offering every visitor the opportunity to take home a piece of that experience.

This strategic leadership role is responsible for cultivating a compelling brand identity, curating products that align with exhibitions and audience interests, and creating a retail environment with a distinctive energy, where every interaction, display, and story naturally inspires discovery and sparks interest in taking pieces of the experience home. The Head of Retail will collaborate with the cafe vendor to manage the shared space in a way that supports the retail vision, aligns with the Museum's brand, and enhances the overall visitor experience. In addition, the role will lead efforts to grow sales, expand the retail footprint, and foster partnerships with local artisans and businesses that deepen community connection. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and emotional connection, this role positions The Shop as a vibrant destination and a dynamic revenue-generating arm of the Museum.

In this role, you will

Leadership,Team Development & Collaboration

• Lead, hire, train, and develop a high-performing retail team focused on exceptional customer service, personalized engagement, and cultural storytelling
• Create and institutionalize a sales training program (“Sales Book”) that equips staff to deliver elevated, mission-aligned shopping experiences that drive revenue
• Collaborate with Events team and Rental Sales Gallery Manager to integrate retail opportunities into private events and institutional programming
• Collaborate with café vendor to manage and enhance the shared space relationship

Buying, Merchandising & Product Strategy

• Serve as Head Buyer, curating product assortments that align with exhibitions, audience interests, and revenue goals
• Analyze retail trends, sales data, and visitor behavior to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic decisions around product mix, merchandising, and pricing
• Build strategic partnerships with local makers, artisans, and businesses to expand offerings and foster community connections
• Partner with curators to ensure product offerings align with and enhance current exhibitions, deepening visitor connection and reinforcing exhibition themes
• Maintain optimal inventory levels, using strategic markdowns and sales events to manage aging stock
• Develop and implement an ecommerce strategy to expand the Museum's retail presence beyond onsite visitors, with a phased approach to launching online sales in the future

Brand, Marketing & Customer Engagement

• Execute targeted marketing campaigns and promotions that drive both foot traffic and conversion, leveraging Museum channels and partner networks
• Plan and host curated retail experiences such as wine tastings, trunk shows, and product launches to engage new and returning audiences
• Develop and launch a loyalty program and repeat-visitor strategy to increase lifetime customer value and strengthen brand affinity
• Drive a distinctive brand identity across in-store and online platforms, emphasizing craftsmanship, artist stories, and exclusive collections

Strategic Planning & Financial Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales plan with clear seasonal strategies, inventory turnover targets, and customer engagement goals
• Manage financial performance, including sales forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and margin optimization
• Implement and evolve the retail business plan (“retail playbook”) developed by consultants, adapting tactics to meet changing audience needs and market conditions
• Track visitor demographics and purchasing behaviors to support data-driven decision making and deepen audience insight

To be successful in this role, you have these requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, retail management, marketing, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 5+ years of experience in museum retail management or equivalent experience in an art gallery or high-end retail environment preferred
• 4 - 5 years of experience in retail buying, including product selection, vendor negotiations, inventory planning, and sales performance analysis preferred
• 3+ years of experience in a supervisory role preferred
• Formal training or workshops in leadership, customer engagement, and team development are preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in hiring, training, and supervising staff
• Knowledge of visual arts to inform merchandising
• Experience overseeing retail, including inventory management, merchandising, and point-of-sale systems
• Proficiency in building and executing brand identity and marketing strategies
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for developing partnerships with local businesses and vendors
• Knowledge of financial management, including budgeting, sales forecasting, and cost control
• Understanding of customer engagement techniques, ensuring high levels of client care in the retail environment
• Skilled at analyzing retail trends, customer data, and market opportunities for in-store and online sales growth
• Creative problem-solving skills to drive innovative marketing and sales initiatives

Please view the complete job posting on our career page.