Seasonal Retail Manager

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $18 - $21 

Hours per week: 8-16 hours a weekend June-August 

Job Classification: Limited Term, Nonexempt 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: May - October 

Location: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact: 

Visited by more than 350,000 people annually, Crane Beach remains a national model for balancing conservation of diverse natural habitats and wildlife—more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest grace the property—with the management of active public recreation. Whether you want to take a refreshing plunge, play in the sand, or bask in the sun, this unparalleled seaside experience has provided fun and lasting memories for generations. Our seasonal team members are the driving force for creating a safe, mission driven and memorable experience for all Crane Estate visitors. 

The Role:

As a Seasonal Retail Manger, you are responsible for all aspects of the Beach Store day-to-day, up front and backend operations for products, including inventory management, product selection, pricing, and merchandising.  

Retail Management:  

• Implement strategies to promote sales growth, achieve revenue targets, increase strategies for advertising and create new events for the shop. Develop an attractive, welcoming, safe, enjoyable atmosphere for all our visitors, staff, and volunteers. Ensure adequate coverage for retail hours of operation. 

Team Leadership: 

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise retail staff. Build a teamwork model with the retail staff, other staff members and volunteers.    

Finance/Budgeting: 

• Track sales, analyze financial reports, look for opportunities for cost savings or revenue growth. Foster new approaches to improve efficiency in day-to-day operations and special events and store pop-ups. 

Customer Service: 

• Initiate exceptional customer service, and a pleasant environment for all. Address customer inquiries and concerns professionally and timely. Implement strategies to enhance overall customer experience. Facilitate the sale and renewal of Trustees Memberships.    

Product Research: 

• Research products and local vendors/artisans with attention to Crane Beach’s spirit of place as well as The Trustees mission and conservation ethic. Develop custom products that honor the beauty and history of the property. Seek product opportunities related to programs and events to enrich guest experience.   

Specifically, you’ll:

• Administration (retail): manage Shopify/POS system – create purchase orders, accept products, create new products, inventory of shipments, pricing/barcoding; banking and back-up bank; attend standard weekly meetings (POS; retail check-in; product/buying)   

• Administration (staffing): recruiting, hiring, training, orientation, Sling scheduling, Paycom Approvals, meetings, correspondence   

• Merchandising & Display: Creatively and artistically maximize the limited space available for retail display to maximize sales, with ongoing oversight of shop appearance and product rotation as new merchandise continues to come in. Events/Popups - determine selection of merchandise selection, displays and setup/breakdown based on venue. Need to reset the gift shop once event is over.    

This is a limited-term, nonexempt position (16 hours/week) reporting directly to the Property Director.  

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Must have 1-3 years of related work experience 

• Must have 1-3 years of supervisory work experience 

• Must hold an Associate's Degree or vocational/technical school. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.