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smithsonian

Assistant Retail Manager

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OPEN DATE: June 29, 2026
CLOSING DATE: July 6, 2026
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk: Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
  • Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
  • Complete a Probationary Period.
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
  • The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Smithsonian Museum’s Retail Stores on the National Mall in Washington DC are currently seeking experienced Assistant Store Managers. Put your retail management experience to work for the Smithsonian Institution! Our Assistant Managers support the retail team to maximize the visitor experience and meet financial goals. Have fun, work in an awesome Smithsonian museum location, and be a part of this exciting time in the Smithsonian Institution’s 175+ year history!

  • Assist with driving sales to exceed budget through effective management of resources.
  • Learn budget allocation and communicate strengths, opportunities, and trends in business.
  • Operate and maintain store computer systems (POS cash registers, etc.), reporting any technical issues, while maintaining proper inventory of supplies.
  • Respond to customer inquiries and resolve issues, referring up as necessary.
  • Assist in staffing and scheduling including interviewing, hiring, and training.
  • Assist with employee timekeeping and adjust schedules to match business needs.
  • Ensure compliance to all guidelines involved with safety, loss prevention, inventory control, and cash handling procedures.
  • Coordinate and support museum events.
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years related management/supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Retail management experience is required; high volume retail management is preferred.
  • Solid experience managing all aspects of a retail store.
  • Proven leadership skills by building trust, credibility and partnership with supervisors and direct reports.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively build, motivate, and supervise a diverse staff.
  • Solid experience with cash management, inventory management, and POS cash register systems.
  • Experience interpreting, analyzing, and utilizing retail sales data and metrics.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with all levels within the organization.
  • Ability to resolve problems with effective solutions.
  • A reputation of integrity, both personally and professionally.
  • MS Office Proficiency.
Applicants must be available evenings, weekends and holidays and have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Must also be able to stand for long periods of time.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact SECareers@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo