Director, Retail and Product Licensing

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ARTThe Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes in the power of illustrated stories to connect us. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world. Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lucas Museum is sharply focused on creating a superior and inclusive experience for all our visitors. The Retail and Product Licensing Director has a key leadership role in achieving this objective.  The LMNA retail and licensing team are responsible for product development, sales, e-commerce, external retailer relationships and creating an exceptional service led retail offer within the museum. The Director will lead them to maximize growth and revenue in support of the goals and objectives of the museum. The Director will additionally work with a range of external partners to secure licensing deals that reflect the excellence of the Museum, and in maximizing revenue for the Museum.
Leading the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art retail and licensing departments, the Director will assume responsibility for the retail stores and licensing initiatives in all forms.  The Director is tasked with formulating strategies, overseeing merchandising programs, and directing daily programs to bolster retail sales. An experienced professional with initiative and entrepreneurial skills, the Director will ensure that the retail environment and product offer activates the customer’s desire to buy, and to gain and increase customer loyalty.  The Director will be responsible for maximizing revenue by selling merchandise through other retail outlets, raising revenues for and extending the brand of the Museum.  The Director is fully responsible for all retail and licensing operations, operating within the mission of the Museum.
The Retail and Product Licensing Director will lead the strategic development and implementation of the Museum’s long-term retail and licensing vision and short-term objectives, ensuring alignment with the Museum’s broader mission and strategic plan.  The Director will set and meet retail and licensing revenue goals and profitability. The Director will be responsible for monitoring customer preferences and in determining the focus of sales strategies, including price schedules and discounts.  The Director will use data to manage actively the SKU’s to maximize revenue for the Museum.  The Director will lead both the retail and licensing teams in recruitment, coaching, innovation, and continuous learning. The shops are a major touch-point for the visitor, and the Director will create an environment that is inviting and accessible for visitors and will train staff and model the behaviors that will result in the highest level of customer engagement and satisfaction. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the daily operations of the retail and licensing departments
• Develop and implement new initiatives in line with department and Museum objectives
• Work closely with other departments within the museum to ensure that the Museum's overall mission and goals are met
• Use data, experimentation, and visitor feedback continuously to improve the retail experience, manage SKU’s and drive net profits.  This is an essential element of the position and the ultimate success of the Museum
• Actively manage and monitor the Museum’s retail and licensing budgets: revenue and expenses
• Ensure profitability through effective pricing strategies, cost controls and sales promotions, and experimentation
• Develop and implement strategies for marketing to promote the retail and licensing operations and drive sales
• Ensure that the LMNA stores offer the highest standard of customer service and engagement, from product selection to placement, visual merchandising, to post-purchase support
• Establish rapport with licensing partners and ensuring that licensing deals are appropriate and meet the Museum’s mission as well as ensuring revenue, and the broader promotion of the Museum
• Use sales data, customer feedback and market trends to inform the overall buying plan and pro