George A. Spiva Center for the Arts (hereinafter “Spiva”) is seeking a Guest Relations Specialist who will be responsible for delivering an exceptional guest experience and support the mission of Spiva Center for the Arts. This position is a high-profile clerical position performing a variety of public relations and administrative tasks. You will serve as a main source for Spiva Center for the Arts information along with Connect2Culture and the Cornell Complex as a whole. You will be responsible for ensuring the Center runs effectively and looks its best on Saturdays; provide clerical and visitor services support during the week when appropriate.
Responsible for leading the successful retail operation and achieving growth of the Spiva Gift Gallery working in partnership with Spiva staff and volunteer. Responsible for preparing and achieving sales forecasts, expense management including inventory control and the maximization of profitability. The position requires a creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial approach to identifying internal and external markets while being fully aware of new products and trends to engage and retain customers. With a workforce comprised mostly of volunteers, the x will provide ongoing training and education to volunteers and enthusiastically engage them in assisting customers and promoting sales.
Opening and closing the facility, selling items from the gift shop, including memberships. Primarily scheduled 20 hours per week, Saturday from 9:30am-5:30pm, Tuesday, Thursday and/or Friday 9:30am – 1pm, possible afternoon shifts 1-5:15pm. Occasional evenings required.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Open, close, and secure Cornell Complex on Saturdays according to established checklists
- Promote positive visitors’ experiences at Spiva: answer inquiries and provide information to the public, patrons, visitors, and other interested parties regarding exhibitions and activities conducted at Spiva, C2C, and the Cornell Complex.
- Provide excellent customer service in welcoming and engaging with guests to enhance their overall experience and fun during their visit.
- Make gift shop sales, gallery sales, and offer and secure Spiva membership sales.
- Serve as an extension of the volunteer coordinator team.
- Immediately notify Executive Director or other senior staff of problems.
- Assist administrative staff with a variety of duties, functions and projects.
- Monitor patrons to maintain a safe environment, encourage appropriate behavior, and pro-actively assist in enhancing guest experience.
- Serve as support to Spiva staff for incoming field trips, private events, classes, group visits and tours.
- Oversees and is responsible for the facility during occasional evening rental events.
- Assists Exhibits Director with exhibit installation and takedown as needed.
GIFT SHOP
- Manage day-to-day operations of the gift shop.
- Ensuring exceptional customer service and sales experiences.
- Maintaining accurate records and inventory management.
- Manage gift-shop volunteer. (Volunteer based)
- Meet with artists to determine if their work is a good fit for Spiva’s gift shop.
- Stage work in the gift shop on a regular basis to keep the space looking fresh.
- Maintain inventory lists: establish tracking codes for new artists, ensure every item is tagged, and enter new work into Excel Spreadsheet and import into POS software.
- Call artists to trade work out every three months.
- Recruit new gift shop artists.
- Ensure gift shop is stocked for major holidays, openings, and special events. Perform buying duties when necessary.
- Track status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
- Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.
- Compare suppliers’ bills with bids and purchase orders to verify accuracy.
- Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
- Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
- Conduct yearly Gift Shop audit and inventory count.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Fun, energetic, and outgoing personality, playfully professional, manifest enthusiastic self-motivation
- Be comfortable making decisions and being in charge on weekend shifts
- Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrate the ability to present innovative programs and activities
- Possess competent computer skills
- Communicate effectively to a wide range of team members and audiences
- Demonstrate effective leadership and interpersonal skills
- Exhibit impressive organizational skills and flexibility
- Outstanding customer service skills
- Cash handling skills preferred
- Ability to prioritize and work independently with minimal supervision
- Physical ability to move throughout the entirety of the Cornell Complex and Spiva Arts building in a timely manner, stand for long periods of time, climb stairs frequently, bend, reach, and lift up to 30 pounds
Education, Experience, and Licenses
- Ability to learn software programs
- Basic training in accounting skills
- Basic knowledge of computers
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Graphic design opportunities available
- High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) College preferred.
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