Director of Bookstore + Resource Center

Description

Established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) is the official, living memorial dedicated to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and global destination welcoming nearly a million visitors annually, The King Center pursues its mission to empower people to create a just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world by applying Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology. Through research, education, training, advocacy, and activism, the organization works to realize Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community - a world where injustice ceases and love prevails.

The Bookstore & Resource Center is a cornerstone of the visitor experience and a vital engine of earned revenue. It is where the Center’s scholarship, products, and message reach the public - in person and online - extending Dr. King’s teachings far beyond the Center’s physical campus.

Position Summary

The King Center seeks a results-driven, mission-aligned retail leader to serve as Director of Bookstore & Resource Center. This is a best-in-class retail and e-commerce leadership role responsible for transforming the on-site bookstore and gift shop and its digital storefront into a destination that rivals leading commercial booksellers in product curation, customer experience, and operational excellence - while remaining unmistakably grounded in The King Center’s mission and the dignity of Dr. King’s legacy.

The Director owns the full retail profit-and-loss responsibility across in-store and online channels: merchandising, inventory, e-commerce, staffing, customer experience, and earned-revenue growth. The successful candidate will set a competitive standard for assortment, presentation, fulfillment, and service comparable to major national retailers, applied with the cultural sensitivity and educational purpose unique to The King Center.

Revenue Generation & Financial Management

• Own the bookstore and resource center P&L across all channels, setting and achieving annual revenue, margin, and growth targets for both in-store and online sales.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive earned-revenue strategy that grows top-line sales year over year while protecting brand integrity and mission alignment.
• Establish pricing, promotion, and markdown strategies that maximize profitability and inventory turn.
• Prepare and manage the annual retail budget; analyze sales data, KPIs, and customer trends to inform purchasing and forecasting decisions.
• Identify and develop new revenue streams, including exclusive and licensed King Center merchandise, publications, commemorative product lines, and partnerships.

In-Store Retail Operations

• Oversee daily operations of the on-site Bookstore & Resource Center, ensuring a welcoming, professional, and engaging environment for nearly one million annual visitors.
• Lead merchandising and visual presentation to a best-in-class standard  - competitive with leading national booksellers - including window displays, featured titles, signage, and seasonal resets.
• Manage point-of-sale systems, cash handling, daily reconciliation, and loss-prevention controls.
• Curate a compelling, mission-relevant assortment of books, educational resources, gifts, and commemorative items that reflect the scholarship and values of The King Center.

E-Commerce & Online Sales

• Build, manage, and grow the online store as a primary revenue channel, ensuring an intuitive, accessible, and conversion-optimized customer experience.
• Oversee online merchandising, product photography, descriptions, inventory synchronization, and order fulfillment and shipping operations.
• Implement digital marketing, email campaigns, and search and social strategies - in coordination with the marketing team - to drive online traffic and sales.
• Analyze e-commerce metrics (conversion rate, average order value, cart abandonment, fulfillment time) and continuously improve performance.
• Integrate in-store and online inventory and customer data to deliver a seamless omnichannel experience.

Inventory & Vendor Management

• Direct end-to-end inventory management across channels, including purchasing, receiving, stock levels, and shrinkage control.
• Negotiate with publishers, distributors, and vendors to secure favorable terms, exclusive products, and reliable supply.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and conduct regular physical counts and audits.

Team Leadership & Customer Experience

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and develop retail associates, e-commerce staff, and volunteers, fostering a culture of service excellence and accountability.
• Set and uphold customer-service standards that meet or exceed those of premier retail environments.
• Model and reinforce The King Center’s values and Dr. King’s nonviolent principles in all interactions with staff, visitors, and customers.

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, retail management, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive retail management experience, including full P&L responsibility.
• Demonstrated success growing revenue across both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce channels.
• Hands-on experience with point-of-sale and e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Square, or comparable), inventory management systems, and retail analytics.
• Proven team leadership, staff development, and scheduling experience.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and margin management.

Preferred

• Experience in bookselling, museum or cultural-institution retail, or a mission-driven nonprofit environment.
• Familiarity with omnichannel retail strategy and digital marketing.
• Genuine connection to, and respect for, the mission and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The King Center is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and to making reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable law. The following describes the general physical demands and environment representative of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed primarily in an on-site retail and office environment within a high-traffic visitor facility.
• Frequently communicates with staff, vendors, and the public; must be able to exchange accurate information in person, by phone, via email and in writing.
• Regularly operates a computer, point-of-sale equipment, and standard office and retail technology.
• Moves about the store and stockroom to access merchandise, displays, and equipment; may remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Occasionally moves or positions merchandise and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• May work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays based on visitor volume, events, and peak retail periods.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The King Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.