Gallery Shop Assistant
Ikon Gallery
The successful candidate will be passionate about retail, welcoming to audiences, and deliver an outstanding level of customer services, maintaining high quality visual displays and offering information advance on products in both Ikon’s physical and online shops. Reliable and well organised with an excellent attending to detail, having an interest in contemporary visual arts would be helpful.
Responsibilities also include reception duties and Duty Person responsibilities to operate in line with Ikon’s control measures. The postholder will work as a member of the Front of House team and will be required to work on a shift/rota basis which includes regular weekends and occasional evening work, over four days per week. Core hours are 28 per week with occasional opportunities for overtime.
Key Responsibilities:
· Deliver an excellent visitor experience and the highest possible standards of customer service in Ikon Shop
· To plan an active role in the development of Ikon’s retail operations, maximising sales to support Ikon’s income generation targets
· Accurately receive inbound stock onto Shopify, merchandise and promote new stock lines both instore and online
· To act as Duty Person, including Chief Fire Marshall and First Aider, providing operational coordination and ensuring a safe and secure environment for staff and visitors
· To contribute to and support team working with colleagues in the Front of House team and wider teams to ensure an efficient working environment
· To operate in line with Ikon’s policies, practice and procedures at all times
Main Responsibilities:
Retail
· To be the first point of contact for visitors, welcoming all to Ikon and consistently delivering a high standard of customer care
· Provide excellent product knowledge to customers, creating an individualised visitor experience
· Merchandising Ikon Shop, highlighting products and organising stock to create an exciting retail journey for visitors and promoting sales
· Feedback information on products and sales to the Commercial & Visitor Services Manager to help maximise sales and develop product lines, whilst actively researching and keeping up to date with new product opportunities
· Maintain stock levels, restocking product where required and keeping spaces clean, tidy and presentable at all times
· Accurately upload products to Ikon’s online shop using Ikon’s presentation format and assist in the online merchandising of products to improve visitor experience, updating the system to reflect stock levels, new products and promotions
· Accepting delivery of stock and processing inventory both instore and on Shopify Epos system
· Process all online orders, packaging and arranging postage and collection for all items, alongside updating online customers about any orders
· Assisting in the daily coordination of shop inventory and maintenance of Ikon’s Shopify stock management system
· Assist with a bi-annual stocktake including counting stock, recording and updating systems accurately in line with audit requirements
· Playing an active role in the marketing and promotion of Ikon Shop, especially with respect to Social Media, in consultation with the Communications team
· Process customer payment information, monitor and control the handling of payments including the return of goods for instore and online orders, maintaining good inventory management
· Project a friendly, approachable and helpful demeanour to encourage brand loyalty and develop sales
· Identify customer needs and provide appropriate solutions to customer queries and issues
Front of House and Administration
· Provide an informative and friendly welcome to all visitors, responding proactively to visitor needs and access requirements
· Efficiently carry out general shop administrative duties including: telephone enquiries and event bookings, postal, internet and trade orders
· Deal efficiently and effectively with all general telephone and reception duties including:
o Directing enquiries to other staff as appropriate
o Ensuring visitor information points, reception and staff areas are well stocked, clean and tidy
o Signing in and out systems and booking systems
· Provide training on shop systems for Ikon Shop Casual and Information Assistants on a regular basis
· Coordinating the opening and closing procedures for Ikon Shop on a daily basis and additional areas as required
Duty person
The Duty Person (DP) role is assigned to one Front of House member on a daily rotational basis whenever the building is open for staff and visitors, which also includes special events and Bank Holidays. All relevant training will be provided by Ikon upon appointment.
The role provides the following operational coordination:
· Keyholder for opening and closing of building
· First Aid training
· Chief Fire Marshalling
· First point of contact to deal with incidents
· Ensure security procedures are followed at all times
· Arrange invigilator cover for unforeseen absences
· Set up access fobs as needed
Working environment
· Operate in accordance with Ikon’s policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding, equal opportunities, and other practices
· Monitor and maintain a safe, healthy and secure working environment, minimising danger by being proactive, particularly in the event of an emergency
· Reduce discomfort and risks arising from accidents and signs of illness
· Monitor and maintain an effective and efficient working environment
Other
· Attend organisational meetings to report observations and make suggestions related to maximising retail and merchandising, visitor responses, general operation, risk assessments and control measures
· Keep up to date with Ikon’s programme of exhibitions and public programme events to help promote activities and answer visitor questions
· Adhere to Ikon’s dress code for front of house staff
· Develop productive working relationships with others to ensure efficient and successful operation
· Build the trust and support of colleagues and team members
· Develop the trust and support of your line manager through regular and effective communication
· Complete any other duties commensurate with the job role
· Undertake training required for the role that is to be provided by Ikon
Required competences:
Essential
· Passion for retail and sales with previous experience maximising sales and customer engagement
· Previous experience of delivering high quality customer service and proven ability to proactively meet sales targets both instore and online
· Proven experience of creating brand loyalty and developing long-lasting customer relationships
· Previous experience of merchandising products and maintaining displays and an ability to contribute towards delivering Ikon’s brand aesthetic
· Accurate data entry into Shopify and Windows PC, with knowledge of Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Shopify and Microsoft Teams
· Experience and implementation of opening and locking procedures and other heightened responsibilities
· Some familiarity with basic photography and editing
· Previous experience in a money-handling role and use of an Epos system, where accuracy is essential
· Good numeric, administrative and computing skills to aid personal organisation and professional efficiency
· Excellent attention to detail and the ability to be logical and methodical
· Strong time-management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, and to manage competing priorities successfully
· The ability to communicate effectively and inspiringly both face to face and in writing with visitors, staff and colleagues
· Self-motivated with confidence working both as part of a team and as an individual
· Familiarity with social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and X
Desirable
· Experience working within an arts organisation and/or an independent retailer
· Knowledge of editing programmes including Adobe Creative Suite
· Experience working with a Shopify Epos system or similar systems
· Previous key-holder experience
For a complete job description and to download the application form please visit Ikon's website.
How To Apply
How to Apply
Please send the following to [email protected] by Thursday 30 January 2025, Midday (BST) with the subject line ‘Ikon Shop Assistant Application’
· A completed application form (downloadable from the website)
· A complete Equal Opportunities Monitoring form