About the opportunity
In December 2026, the Memphis Art Museum opens a new home on the downtown riverfront: a full city block on the bluff, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects, with street-level galleries, a community courtyard, and a rooftop sculpture garden. It is one of the most anticipated cultural openings in the region.
At the forefront of the visitor experience is the Museum Store. Positioned at street level with its own dedicated entrance, the store is built to operate as a true retail destination, open to the public beyond gallery hours and ready to welcome guests on its own terms.
We are looking for a Retail Manager to own that store from day one and to build it into a standout retail business.
This is not a caretaker role. We want someone hungry, commercially sharp, and ambitious who treats this store as their own to grow. You do not need a museum or arts background. You do need to know how to move retail forward.
What you will own
A store that is guest-ready, every single day. You set the standard, and you hold it. The store opens excellently merchandised, visually compelling, and fully stocked. Displays tell a story, the space invites people in, and nothing about the experience feels like an afterthought. When a guest walks through that entrance, the store is ready for them.
Guests are delighted by the service and knowledge of the team. You lead by example and create an extraordinary customer service experience that is a continuation of the museum and store brand. Guests are delighted to visit and cannot wait to return.
A winning product assortment, in partnership with our contract buyer. You work hand in hand with a contract buyer to make sure product selection succeeds. You bring the on-the-ground read on what guests respond to, what sells, and what falls flat, and you turn that into a sharper, more profitable assortment over time. The buyer sources; you make the mix work.
Inventory you can trust. You keep inventory accurate and tracked, so you always know what you have, what is moving, and what needs attention. Shrinkage, stock levels, and replenishment are managed tightly and proactively.
A product mix you measure and report on. You track the retail product mix and report on it regularly: what categories perform, what margins look like, what is trending up or down. You turn that reporting into clear recommendations, and you act on them.
Sales momentum. You actively look for ways to grow revenue. You spot promotional opportunities, you know when to run them, and you know when to move product to sale to protect margin and keep inventory fresh. You treat sales targets as something to beat, not just meet.
Where this role is going
There is significant room to grow here, and the right person will grab it. We see a clear path for this role to launch and own a brand-new online sales channel, extending the store well beyond the museum's walls. The Retail Manager who proves out the on-site store is the person we want to build and run that channel. If you want a role that expands as you deliver, this is it.
Who you are
- An experienced retail leader with a track record of running a store or stores and hitting commercial results.
- Friendly, engaging, and ready to provide exceptional service every day.
- Driven and ambitious. You want to grow a business and grow with it.
- Strong on visual merchandising and presentation, with a real eye for how a store should look and feel.
- Comfortable with the numbers: inventory, margin, product mix, and sales reporting.
- Self-directed and accountable. You own outcomes and you do not wait to be told.
A background in museum or cultural retail is welcome but not required. We care far more about retail instinct, commercial drive, and the ability to build something.
Compensation
This role offers a competitive base salary plus commission. The earning potential is designed to reward the performance we are looking for: the more you grow the store, the more you earn.
APPLICATION:
Qualified applicants, please send your resume and cover letter to jeff.rhodin@brooksmuseum.org. Indicate the job title “Retail Manager” in the subject line. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer.
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Recent studies show that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, yet women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.
The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art/ Memphis Art Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.