Job Description
Job Description
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential and our work drives positive change through the power of design.
Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA’s values remain constant:
- We stand for equity and human rights
- We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
- We stand for a sustainable future
- We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
- We stand for economic opportunity
- We stand for investing in the future
- We speak up, and policymakers listen
The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Managing Director, Campus Operations & Visitor Experience, the Shop Design Manager’s, primary responsibilities are ensuring daily store operations run efficiently and profitably by achieving revenue goals and meeting the needs of the AIA and the membership. This includes the fulfilment of in-store and management of online orders, maintaining point of sale system, tracking inventory and developing new products. This role will manage store marketing and outreach efforts, creating strategic merchandising plans and creating internal store processes, maintaining the store website and being a resource for the Marketing team, leading the marketing efforts.
Job Duties
All essential store operations, both in-store and at on-site pop-up events including (but not limited to):
- Manage and oversee shop operations; develop a routine for opening and closing, ensuring the efficient functioning of the shop, managing the sales floor and providing maximum profitability.
- Implement strategies to increase sales revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Manage inventory, handle customer inquiries and oversee the store’s overall financial performance.
- Analyze sales data and trends to identify areas of improvement to make informed business decisions.
- In collaboration with the Sr. Director, Revenue & Visitor Experience, achieve financial objectives by preparing & managing the annual budget, track expenditure and analyze variances.
- Create and manage promotional displays and materials to attract customers and promote sales.
- As the lead buyer, research new products to help inform future purchasing decisions to diversify inventory.
- Identify products that align with AIA e-commerce sales environment, including meeting with publishers and manufacturer representatives and securing sales collaterals for online merchandising.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, including negotiating prices and ensuring timely deliveries.
- Manage loss prevention through security requirements and monitoring strategies, auditing paperwork and inventory levels and appropriately handling broken or damaged merchandise
- Manage fulfillment, shipment tracking, cash reconciliation, preparing bank deposits, vender voucher processing and inter-departmental transactions (when needed at future onsite shop).
- Maintain stock levels and coordinate core inventory lists with attention to organization priorities, seasonal fluctuations, design trends and other variables.
- Serve as main liaison for Point-of-sale system and other technical issues, coordinating with third-party software and web providers as well as with AIA tech staff.
- Oversee product displays, signage and general store presentation.
- Facilitate book signings and other in-store events.
- Perform daily operations duties, such as store opening and closing activities (when shop opens onsite in Q4 2025)
- Lead the preparation and planning for popup store at AIA signature events including Leadership Summit, AIA Annual Conference, and Women’s Leadership while assisting in the specific event merchandising,
- Manage the store/software set-up as well as temporary staff training and management onsite at pop-up events
Maintain store website and produce digital outreach materials.
- Serve as an e-commerce designer responsible for creating a visually compelling and user-friendly website, including maintaining product images and promotional copies.
- Collaborate with the marketing & digital strategy team to create designs for mobile and desktop platforms, pricing and product selection.
- Monitor merchandise levels between web and in-store stock, paying particular attention to seasonal fluctuations, design trends and general popularity.
- Analyze effectiveness of outreach campaigns to assist AIA marketing department determine best use of marketing resources.
Frequent contacts
AIA members and general public
AIA staff and building tenants
Temporary employees
Technical support for software and website
Publishers, designers and vendors
Off-site warehouse staff
Qualifications
Strong knowledge of store retail operations, with an understanding of inventory control and point of sales systems. Excellent written and oral communications skills to best serve AIA members and the general public. Knowledge of Shopify (or experience with other Point of Sale systems), Excel, Java, Photoshop, CSS, HTML and Dreamweaver preferred.
A bachelor’s degree in business or related field is preferred, with a minimum of four to five years of experience in retail management and business operations. Working knowledge of architecture, design and the arts strongly preferred.
Supervisory responsibilities
No direct reports.
Will manage five to ten temporary employees and AIA volunteers during the annual AIA Conference on Architecture: also seasonal in-store temporary employees.
What we offer
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:
- Medical and dental
- 401(k)
- Flexibility
- Paid time off
- Flexible spending accounts
- Income protection- (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
- Tuition and membership reimbursements
- AIA employees have access to a variety of other programs, including:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
- Computer purchase program
- Fitness club discounts
- Prepaid legal services program
- Identity theft protection
Travel Requirements: Annual AIA Conference on Architecture (locations vary)
Work Location: Onsite Global Campus in Washington, DC
Equal Opportunity Employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.