Opportunities Gallery Shop Coordinator (Clerk 3)

As a celebrated Canadian gallery the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) is deeply connected to the cultures and communities of Atlantic Canada a region shaped by its enduring relationship with the sea. It is committed to this mission as an agency of the Province of Nova Scotia and one of the premier arts institutions in Canada.

Since its beginnings in 1908 as the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts the gallery has been at the heart of the provinces cultural evolution. It officially became the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in 1975. Over the years the AGNS has cultivated an impressive permanent collection of nearly 20000 works including Canadian and Indigenous art contemporary installations and a renowned folk-art collection featuring Maud Lewiss iconic painted house and the largest public collection of her work.

As a gallery we invite collective engagement interaction and dialogue; examination reflection and the disentanglement of historical and contemporary narratives. Through our work the AGNS challenges individuals to take risks re-imagine and make changes for a more equitable and just world.

Please note due to legislative changes as of January 1 2023 Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) employees are no longer Civil Servants and are instead direct employees of the AGNS.

The Gallery Shop Coordinator plays a key role in shaping the Art Gallery of Nova Scotias retail experience and earned revenue success. Supporting both our onsite and online stores as well as a growing wholesale program you will help create a vibrant engaging and profitable retail destination that reflects the Gallerys mission exhibitions and collections.

Working closely with the Manager of Visitor Experience you will build and maintain relationships with artists makers suppliers wholesale partners and customers to curate a distinctive product offering that celebrates art culture and creativity. You will combine your passion for retail customer service and merchandising to deliver exceptional shopping experiences while identifying opportunities to grow sales and expand the Gallerys reach.

This is a hands-on role that blends creativity business acumen and relationship-building. From developing compelling product displays and sourcing unique merchandise to managing inventory analyzing sales performance and supporting wholesale growth you will play an integral role in the success of the Gallery Shop.

The ideal candidate is an organized and collaborative retail professional with strong customer service skills an eye for merchandising and a passion for supporting artists and cultural organizations. You will also provide day-to-day leadership to the Gallery Shop Clerk and volunteers helping foster a positive customer-focused and sales-driven team culture.

As Gallery Shop Coordinator you will lead the day-to-day operation of the Gallery Shop and wholesale program ensuring an exceptional visitor experience while driving retail and wholesale sales growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the daily operation of the Gallery Shop ensuring a welcoming well-presented and visitor-focused retail environment.
• Managing inventory sourcing and purchasing merchandise and monitoring stock levels to support sales and operational needs.
• Supporting the development and delivery of annual retail and wholesale plans sales targets and merchandising strategies.
• Monitoring sales performance preparing reports and assisting with budgeting forecasting and cost control.
• Maintaining accurate financial records including daily reconciliations deposits and retail reporting.
• Creating engaging product displays that align with exhibitions the Gallerys brand and seasonal opportunities.
• Delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring visitors receive a memorable shopping experience.
• Training coaching and supporting shop staff and volunteers fostering a positive and sales-focused team culture.
• Building and maintaining relationships with artists makers suppliers and wholesale customers across the region.
• Growing and supporting the Gallerys wholesale program through customer service account management order fulfillment and business development.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the Gallery to promote retail initiatives and contribute to the Gallerys earned revenue goals.

To be successful in this role you will have at least five (5) years of experience in retail customer service merchandising wholesale or a related field. A post-secondary degree diploma or certificate in business retail management arts administration marketing or a related discipline would be considered an asset. An equivalent combination of education training and experience will also be considered.

You will also bring:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with retail operations including inventory management purchasing record keeping and sales reporting.
• A proven ability to create and maintain a strong customer service culture and build meaningful relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong sales merchandising and product presentation skills with the ability to understand customer needs promote products and identify opportunities to increase sales.
• Knowledge of the local and regional artisan craft and cultural sector with an understanding of emerging retail trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Sound judgment professionalism and effective problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate challenging situations and interpersonal interactions with customers colleagues artists suppliers and partners using tact and diplomacy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 suite and digital point-of-sale systems; experience with Shopify is considered an asset.
• A collaborative and adaptable approach with the ability to respond positively to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Experience working in a museum gallery cultural institution visitor attraction or tourism environment would be considered an asset.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued respected connected and tuned in we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• A dynamic client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.