Retail Associate

Job description

**ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART** Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces. ### POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to the Manager, Retail the Retail Associate serves as a key ambassador of the museum brand, delivering an elevated guest-centered experience within a thoughtfully curated retail environment. This role combines exceptional customer service with strong sales support, engaging visitors through meaningful storytelling, guiding purchases with intention, and ensuring every interaction reflects the artistry and mission of the museum. With a strong command of POS operations, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, the Retail Associate ensures seamless transactions, visually engaging merchandising standards, and a boutique experience that extends the museum journey beyond its walls. This position requires morning availability, and may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. ##### ### RESPONSIBILITIES - Serve as first point of contact providing a welcoming, attentive and personalized retail experience that anticipates guest needs and supports exceptional service - Engage guests with product knowledge, connecting merchandise to exhibitions, artists, and cultural narratives - Operate POS systems with accuracy and discretion, ensuring a smooth, polished transaction experience - Uphold high merchandising standards, ensuring displays are aesthetically balanced, and aligned with the museum standards and brand - Support pricing, packaging, and inventory accuracy with strong attention to detail, thoughtful presentation and care - Respond to guest inquiries and concerns with professionalism, confidence, and thoughtful solutions - Collaborate with team members to achieve sales goals while preserving a cohesive, elevated, guest centered environment - Support opening and closing procedures, while maintaining a polished, inviting, and retail space aligned with the museum’s visual standards ### QUALIFICATIONS - Customer-facing and/or sales experience in premium retail, hospitality, cultural, or service- oriented, high-touch environments preferred; open to all experience levels and candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply - Experience within an arts and cultural organization or high-volume setting with elevated guest service standards desired - Demonstrated ability to drive sales through thoughtful product recommendations, relationship building, and conversion techniques - Understanding of retail operations, including inventory management, quality assurance, and RFID inventory systems - Proficiency in POS systems; experience with Shopify or Square is a plus - Experience with cash handling procedures and compliance. - Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain visually compelling, gallery-inspired merchandising displays - Exceptional communication skills with a polished and professional presence - Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities - Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and special museum programs, exhibitions, and events ### CORE COMPETENCIES - Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision. - Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.