Craft Shop & Gallery Manager
Job Description
30 hours per week (Permanent post)
£18,000 - £19,190 pro rata, according to skills and experience
Purpose of the Job
The Craft Shop & Gallery Manager is responsible for Craft Shop and 'front of house' operations at Smiths Row. S/he is the buyer and manager for Smiths Row Shop; coordinates the maintenance and security of our historic grade 1 listed building; and oversees visitor services ensuring visitors enjoy their visit to Smiths Row and recommend it to others.
S/he reports to the Director. In turn, s/he is responsible for supervising paid and volunteer Gallery Assistants and the Gallery Cleaner. S/he works closely with all members of staff and volunteers.
Main Responsibilities
Craft Shop Management
· Manages Smiths Row’s Shop through its trading subsidiary, Market Cross Trading: Devises and implements its business plan, in consultation with the Director; and reports on its trading to the Director and the Board of Trustees.
· Sources contemporary craft, prints and design for sale. Keeps up to date with trends in retail and craft practice. Oversees the management and stocking of the shop, receiving, marking up and displaying stock and organising the annual stock take.
· Manages the finances of the shop in liaison with the Finance Assistant and Director. Including compiling financial reports, setting and meeting sales targets, recording and analysing sales, handling cash and banking money.
· Attends weekly staff meetings and represents the Gallery Assistants and any front of house issues.
· Markets the shop through the local and national media, print, website and social media.
· Develops relationships with new and existing customers to meet their needs and increase income.
· Manages Gallery Assistants and volunteers to maximise sales for MCT and maintains the highest standards of customer service. Ensures Gallery Assistants are trained in their tasks and follow Gallery policies and procedures. Leads on their recruitment, training and all policies relating to them.
· Maintain excellent standards of stock control and storage of shop stock.
Audience Relationships
· Represents audience’s perspectives in programme and event planning meetings, particularly in relation to interpretation of exhibitions and health and safety.
· Promotes interest amongst audiences in the visual arts, craft and design and encourages them to participate in events, purchase exhibits, shop stock and exhibition catalogues.
· Supervises the collection of data on audiences for staff and funders.
· Supervises reception desk operations and equipment, the choice of music and maintains temperature in the Gallery for the comfort of staff and audiences.
· Maintains excellent communications with shop customers, Gallery visitors and makers via face to face conversations, e-mail, social media, print, website etc...
· Supervises and takes bookings and payments for workshops, events and membership.
Building Management
· Ensures the public areas (the shop, foyer, toilet, art lounge and exhibition space) meet the highest standards possible.
· Supervises the part-time Cleaner and ensure high standards of cleanliness throughout the public and office spaces of Smiths Row. Undertake light cleaning when necessary such as dusting and emergency cleaning of spills etc...
· Oversees the maintenance of the fabric of the building in liaison with contractors and representatives of the landlord, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Manages budgets relating to the operation and maintenance of the building.
· Provides security for exhibitions including reporting any incident of visitors’ touching or damaging art work.
· Co-ordinates interior and exterior signage in line with Smiths Row’s branding.
Health and Safety
· Responsible for the security of exhibits and safety of staff and visitors in the Gallery and on off-site projects. Compiles policies and guidelines on health and safety and security to minimise risks. Acts as Fire Officer and check fire alarms weekly. Responds to out of hours call outs following alarm activation when contacted by the emergency call receiving centre.
Other Duties
· Prepares and presents reports to the Board of Trustees and Director.
· Fulfils their responsibilities in line with Smiths Row’s policies.
· Completes any other duties assigned by the Director.
· Update staff desk diary at the weekly staff meeting and enter additions as necessary during the week.
· Supervise the highest standards of visual merchandising to maximise sales and customer satisfaction.
· Manages Petty cash in liaison with the Finance Assistant.
Person Specification
Essential
· An excellent understanding of crafts and experience of working with makers.
· An ambitious individual who is eager to succeed and make a difference.
· Excellent communication skills with a friendly communicative manner.
· Flexible, willingness to accept responsibility, and ability to work on their own as well as being a good team leader.
· Committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service.
· Experience of finance management and cash handling.
· Experience of shop management.
· Experience of managing volunteers and/or paid staff.
· Experience of managing the maintenance and cleaning of a building.
· Willingness to receive further training.
· Excellent word processing and desktop computer skills including Microsoft office software, e-mail, internet, social media and database management.
· Able to work every other Saturday and occasional evenings (probably 7-10 nights a year)
Desirable
· Arts marketing qualifications or experience.
· First aid training.
· Health and Safety qualifications.
· Basic DIY or AV technical skills.
We can offer you:
· Experience of working in a dynamic award winning contemporary art gallery.
· Training appropriate to the post.
· A satisfying job in a very pleasant working environment.
· 10% discount at Smiths Row Craft shop.
Other
· The post is responsible to the Director.
· The post is entitled to 20 days paid holiday a year plus bank holidays pro rata.
· Working hours are Monday to Friday, then alternate weeks Tuesday to Saturday 10.15am to 5.15pm.
· The probationary period for the post is six months. Six week notice period after successful completion of probationary period.