Job Description

Vice President, Interpretive Retail

Organization Description:

Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Marin Headlands, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.

The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever . Join us.

Branch Description:

The Interpretive Sales Branch is central to the Parks Conservancys mission, providing both visitor services and interpretive retail experiences to the millions of visitors both locally and globally to the GGNRA annually. Collaborating closely with many partners, including the NPS, Presidio Trust, San Francisco Port Authority, and Golden Gate Bridge District, the branch collectively represents and promotes the enduring value and unique stories of the national parks. Every dollar spent by visitors at our retail locations generates vital funds that support community and youth programming, science, conservation.

Operating ten interpretive retail centers, online sales and wholesale operation, supported by two off-site warehouses, the branch annually sells 2.5 million items that generate over $20 million in gross sales. Through publishing and product development, the Parks Conservancy has developed a reputation for producing placed-based interpretive, high quality and sustainably sourced items sold throughout the GGNRA. A dedicated team of over 120+ staff membersranging from directors and managers to designers, developers, back-of-house and front-line personnelannually guides five million visitors in finding deeper meaning in their national park visit. The branch additionally implements an NPS contract to greet visitors and collect entrance fees at Muir Woods National Monument.

Position Overview:

The Vice President of Interpretive Retail reports to the Deputy CEO and is responsible for leading all aspects of the organizations retail operations including product development and sourcing, inventory management, financial performance, operational efficiency, advancing safe and healthy work culture, compliance, and collaboration with other branches and partners. The role involves both strategic planning and overseeing the day-to-day management of retail locations, inventory and warehouse operations.

The Vice President develops and implements the overall retail strategy, aligning it with the Conservancys mission and goals while optimizing operations for profitability. The position is responsible for ensuring productive, inclusive, and collaborative team dynamics, in which staff strive for high levels of accountability and engagement.

The position is a part of the Executive Management Team that includes three additional Vice Presidents, as well as five Chief-level roles, CEO and Deputy CEO. This team sets vision, policy and direction at an organizational level as well as embodies the Parks Conservancy values and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership

• Subject matter expert at the executive level for strategies, best practices and emerging trends related to interpretive retail, product development and park visitation. Informs Deputy CEO of opportunities, issues and status of retail centers and sales and recommends course of action.
• Participates in weekly Executive Management Team (EMT) meetings to align the organizations strategic direction; provide input and deliberation on the Parks Conservancy budget; identify, review and recommend new and updated policies and procedures that impact the over 300 employees of the Parks Conservancy.
• Works with others on the EMT to build and share annual organizational work plans and priorities. Provides input and feedback on organizational performance and execution with a focus on people, culture, capabilities, and resources.
• Participates in leadership review and direction setting for organizational strategy, planning, goals, budgets, staff, and partner engagement.
• Leads change management strategies and promotes innovation; elevates business practices, effective communication, and employee success. Embodies and communicates organizational values and principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Conducts operational problem-solving, risk mitigation and creation of strong infrastructure to support organization for long-term stability.
• Ensures collaborative leadership and partnership impact, internal and external, meeting Conservancy goals and focus.

Visitor Centers Operations & Partnership Management

• Directs dynamic visitor facilities to welcome, orient, inform, and support five million U.S. and overseas visitors annually. Ensure all visitor facilities and services are managed to the highest standards.

• Works with the Operations branch on strategies to address safety concerns, general maintenance and cleaning, and improvements to retail and warehouse facilities.
• Lead for assessment and notification of major incidents that impact store operations. Works closely with DCEO, Operations branch and NPS on scenario planning and potential closures due to environmental hazards, government shutdown or other unforeseen incidents.
• Collaborates with partner agencies to determine store hours, leveraging of special events, programs and improvements that can better serve the visitors.
• Works with store managers and staff to implement best practices and innovative approach to merchandizing that leverage interpretive exhibits at various within the visitor centers
• Develops strong relationship with Communications branch to develop marketing strategies and highlight retail centers and products online, in stores, and in the park and Bay Area.
• Works closely with the Development branch to promote Parks Conservancy membership and ensure members receive discounts and elevated service. Implement Parks Conservancy Round Up program and explore additional ways to encourage visitors to donate and join.

Publishing, Product Development & Inventory

• Guides and set standards for manufacturing direction with domestic and overseas business partners ensuring costs, shipping, materials, workplace conditions, and agreements meet Conservancy objectives.
• Manages and updates Scope of Sales agreements and ensure publishing and interpretive product program align with agreement and Parks Conservancys strategic direction.
• Works to incorporate organizations goals of incorporating environmental and social responsibility standards into decision-making regarding products and operations.

• Ensures market purchased inventory is interpretively aligned, financially beneficial, and meets visitors needs and interests.
• Bring creativity, innovation and high-quality standards into designs of newly developed products and ensure they receive necessary copyright, permissions and approvals.
• Oversee two off-site and several park-based warehouses and inventory sites. Ensure regular and consistent delivery to sales outlets including coordination with Visitor Services branch in barge deliveries to Alcatraz Island.

Business Strategy & Financial Oversight

• Analyzes, develops, and coordinates business direction and opportunities for physical and online retail operations, wholesale programs, custom-developed materials, and outside purchased inventory in coordination with Branch Leadership to align with Parks Conservancy and partner goals.

• Works closely with in-house General Counsel to negotiate, review, renew, update and create agreements that are in the best interests of the Parks Conservancy and provide mutual benefit to our partners. Manages the implementation of unique agreements at Lands End Lookout, Presidio Visitor Center, Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 33, warehouses, and other publication and product related partnerships.
• Oversees gross sales, COGS, expenses, and revenue to align with budget projections and meet annual target, develop strategies to manage change. Ensures financial investment of Conservancys resources realizes positive ROI. Evaluate and implement practices of accountability are in place to adhere to Conservancy, partner, and donor requirements of financial management, contracting, and reporting.
• Analyzes retail business opportunities that increase visitor engagement and revenue potential, in coordination with]]>

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