Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:

Position Title: Museum & Retail Manager
Reports To: Vice President, John Wayne Enterprises
Location: Fort Worth Stockyards, TX
Classification: Exempt | Full-Time | Onsite (includes weekends, holidays, events, and evenings)

Position Summary

The Museum & Retail Manager is the onsite operational leader for the John Wayne Museum & Supply. This role oversees the full museum and retail experience, drives business performance, and leads a focused team of Assistant Managers and Key Holders who each own specific operational areas.

The Manager must operate with high autonomy, strong professional judgment, and an unwavering get it done mindset. They model JWEs brand ethos Self-Reliance, Extreme Ownership, Teamwork, and Protect Your Time and ensure these values are lived out daily within the Fort Worth operation.

This position requires full-time onsite leadership, a steady presence on the museum floor, and the ability to guide staff, execute priorities, solve problems quickly, and maintain a consistently exceptional guest experience.

The role also serves as a community ambassador, building strong relationships with Stockyards businesses, tourism partners, and city organizations while driving visibility, foot traffic, and local engagement for the John Wayne brand.

Core Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organizational Structure

• Serve as the primary onsite leader, responsible for daily museum, retail, and event operations.
• Lead a tiered leadership structure consisting of Assistant Managers with specialized focus areas (Front of House, Back of House, Visual Merchandising, Technical, Events).
• Ensure each leadership team member has clear ownership, measurable responsibilities, and consistent follow-through.
• Provide coaching, accountability, and regular performance feedback to all levels of staff.
  

Operational Excellence

• Maintain continuous operational readiness: staffing, cleanliness, organization, retail presentation, and guest experience.
• Oversee scheduling to ensure appropriate staffing and leadership coverage during all hours of operation.
• Anticipate operational needs and resolve issues independently, with minimal oversight required.
• Partner with the Home Office on process improvements, initiatives, and museum/retail updates.
  Support and coordinate private events, activations, and museum rentals in collaboration with the Events team.

Guest Experience & Brand Standards

• Ensure the museum and retail experience reflects the authenticity, hospitality, and quality of the John Wayne brand.
• Maintain an active floor presence, engaging guests, supporting associates, and modeling high service standards.
• Handle escalated guest issues with professionalism, composure, and solutions-focused judgment.
• Reinforce brand values across all staff interactions and service expectations.

Sales, Marketing & Business Development

• Own retail sales performance, setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals for the operation and leadership team.
• Review sales KPIs regularly and coach the team toward meeting or exceeding targets.
• Collaborate with JWEs Production, Buying, and Marketing teams to drive revenue through:
  • product planning
  • merchandising strategy
  • in-store promotions
  • seasonal campaigns
  • product storytelling
• Execute local marketing initiatives designed to increase foot traffic and brand visibility within the Stockyards and broader Fort Worth community.
• Provide feedback to Home Office Marketing on guest trends, selling opportunities, and local demand.
• Identify partnership opportunities with nearby attractions, hotels, businesses, and tourism organizations to increase awareness and visitation.

Community Engagement & Local Partnerships

• Serve as JWEs primary ambassador within the Fort Worth Stockyards district.
• Develop strong, ongoing relationships with:
  • Stockyards Business Association
  • Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Fort Worth)
  • Local chambers of commerce
  • Tourism organizations
  • Local retailers, restaurants, venues, stables, and historic partners
• Attend monthly Stockyards Business Association luncheons and other community events on behalf of the brand.
• Partner with neighboring businesses on cross-promotion, local events, community initiatives, and experiential activations.
• Maintain a visible presence in the district, staying informed about local activities, construction, tourism shifts, and events that impact museum and retail traffic.
• Advocate for the John Wayne brand within local networks, ensuring JWE is viewed as a strong partner and contributor to the Fort Worth community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the City of Fort Worth, tourism leaders, law enforcement, and city officials as appropriate.

Retail Business Management

• Drive retail performance through daily monitoring of sales, inventory accuracy, merchandising, and product flow.
• Partner with JWEs Production, Buying, and Marketing teams on inventory management, visual direction, and promotions.
• Maintain high visual standards, ensuring product presentation and store layout match brand expectations.
• Manage budgeted expenses, cash handling procedures, and controllable costs with diligence.

Team Development & Cross-Training

• Build a strong, accountable leadership bench by cross-training Assistant Managers in broader operational areas.
• Ensure all specialized roles (FOH, BOH, Tech, Visuals, Events) operate smoothly and can cover each other as needed.
• Document processes to support continuity, efficiency, and onboarding.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Retail, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 35 years of management experience in retail, museum, hospitality, or attraction environments.
• Track record of operating with autonomy, taking initiative, and executing priorities independently.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to hold teams accountable and maintain high professionalism.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Experience with POS systems, inventory management platforms, and scheduling software (Homebase or similar).
• Must be onsite full-time, with flexibility for weekends, evenings, and special events.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, and active floor management for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds using appropriate technique.
• Fast-paced, guest-facing environment with regular weekend and event activity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

John Wayne Enterprises is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace.

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