POSITION TITLE: Director of Retail

DIVISION: Administration

DEPARTMENT: Administration

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President of Operations

PAY TYPE: Exempt

WORKER TYPE: Full-Time

UPDATED: October 2025

Pay: $70,000

Essential Functional Responsibilities:

The Kansas City Art Institute is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and detail-oriented leader

to oversee the entirety of KCAI's auxiliary retail operations, including Marble & Canvas, the

Underground Art Store, the on-campus coffee shop, Cafe Nerman and E-Commerce sites. This

position includes providing strategic leadership and daily oversight for these three distinct retail

entities, managing their respective employees, and ensuring all operations reflect the spirit,

creativity, and collaborative ethos of KCAI. The Director will work closely with faculty, the

Professional Practice Center, and the Alumni Office to facilitate alumni artist partnerships.

Leadership & Managerial Oversight

● Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Underground Store Manager and the

Cafe Nerman Manager, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

● Manage, mentor, and evaluate the performance of both the Underground Art Store

Manager and the Cafe Nerman Manager, fostering a positive and efficient work

environment.

● Work with the Cafe Nerman Manager to ensure high-quality food and beverage service,

compliance with health and safety standards, and maximum operational efficiency and

profitability.

● Collaborate with the Underground Store Manager to enhance profitability, customer

satisfaction, and operational efficiency across the art supply store and mailroom .

Store Operations

● Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Marble & Canvas Store, including

opening/closing procedures, cleanliness, and customer service.

● Coordinate with the Underground Store Manager and Cafe Nerman Manager to develop

and implement store and cafe policies and procedures to ensure consistency, efficiency,

and profitability across all services.

● Monitor sales performance and maintain financial records; prepare sales reports as

needed for all retail entities.

● Coordinate with campus departments for special events, pop-ups, and campus-wide

sales initiatives across all retail locations.

Merchandise & Inventory Management (Marble & Canvas Store Focus)

● Curate and manage inventory of KCAI-branded merchandise, artist-made goods, alumni

artwork, and other unique items for the Marble & Canvas Store.

● Collaborate with various artists to source and showcase original artwork and handmade

products.

● Track inventory levels, place reorders, and coordinate with vendors and artists to

maintain appropriate stock levels.

● Manage the point-of-sale system and ensure accurate pricing, barcoding, and inventory

tracking.

Artist Engagement

● Develop and oversee a program for alumni work.

● Facilitate collaborations between faculty and KCAI exhibitions for special product lines

that align with events, visiting artists, and exhibitions.

● Partner with internal teams, when necessary, to create experiential learning

opportunities for current students, Alumni or KCAI faculty/staff.

Financial Oversight & Sales Growth

● Manage the overall budget for KCAI Auxiliary Services, including revenue projections,

expense control, and financial reporting for Marble & Canvas , the Underground Art

Store, and Cafe Nerman.

● Monitor sales performance and implement strategies to increase revenue across all

retail operations.

● Work in partnership with Advancement and the Alumni & Professional Practice Centers

to explore alumni-focused or fundraising initiatives tied to store merchandise.

● Seek funding opportunities, sponsorships, or grants to support store initiatives.

Student Worker Supervision (Marble & Canvas Store Focus)

● Recruit, train, and supervise a team of student workers for the Marble & Canvas Store.

● Create a supportive and educational work environment, offering mentorship and

opportunities for skill development.

● Schedule shifts, delegate responsibilities, and monitor performance.

Customer Engagement & Marketing

● Create engaging in-store displays and maintain visual merchandising that reflects the

artistic identity of KCAI.

● Collaborate with the marketing team to promote store offerings via social media,

newsletters, and campus communications.

● Collaborate with the Institutional Advancement team to develop and maintain a

comprehensive customer database to support sales promotion, engagement, and

tracking efforts.

● Build strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to foster a sense of

community through the store.

● Position the store as a site for ongoing dialogue and experimentation in contemporary

art, design, and retail in collaboration with faculty and institutional partners.

Supervises the following:

● Underground Art Store Manager

● Cafe Nerman Manager

● Marble & Canvas Store Student workers

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:

● Strong knowledge of merchandising, inventory management, and sales strategies.

● Strong understanding of visual merchandising principles and storytelling through product

presentation.

● Experience working with artists or educational institutions is a plus.

● Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills.

● Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and build relationships with

faculty, alumni, and students in an academic or creative setting.

● Proficiency in retail POS systems, e-commerce platforms, and financial reporting.

● Ability to develop marketing initiatives and community engagement programs.

● Experience in utilizing project management systems.

Required Experience/Education:

● Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, Arts Administration, or related field

(or equivalent experience).

● Minimum 3 years of experience in retail management with demonstrated success in

merchandising and buying.

Preferred Experience/Education:

● Prior experience in Adobe Creative Suite products and Google Suite.

● Prior experience with Monday’s project management software.

● Prior experience in an Area Management or District Management position.

● Experience collaborating with creative professionals or within an arts-related

environment.

Statement

Kansas City Art Institute is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting,

retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race,

gender, gender identity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or

mental disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other

characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. KCAI provides reasonable

accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in the job

application process. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need

accommodation due to a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department about

your interest in employment. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Kansas City Art

Institute’s Human Resource Administrator.

EOE/AA: Minorities/Females/Disabled/Vets

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.