Director, UMD Stores

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life and serving as a key leader in the Division of Student Life, the Director, UMD Stores provides innovative, strategic, and comprehensive leadership for an extensive self-operated university bookstore. In addition to supplying textbooks and other course materials for the campus community, UMD Stores manages a vibrant retail operation that offers a wide variety of computers, electronics, art supplies, imprinted clothing and merchandise, trade books, gifts, and many convenience store items. The operation includes a two-level bookstore, a small corner express store, three game-day retail gift shops (football, basketball, hockey), and support for two satellite cash register systems (Tweed Museum and the Planetarium). An opportunity exists to also oversee Print Services and the UCard operation.

With a focus on outstanding service to the campus community, the director oversees a broad portfolio of responsibilities, providing an overall vision, developing a budget, and managing personnel functions. The director is responsible for developing and executing the strategic plan, sound fiscal management, and supervision of key staff. The director leads a team that provides oversight of course materials, retail operations, staff training, and leads efforts to develop customer service standards, policies and procedures, and sustainable operations. Additionally, the director fosters strong and collaborative relationships with campus partners including Intercollegiate Athletics, Admissions, Alumni Relations, Information Technology Services, Dining Services, UCard, Print Services, and other departments across campus. The director manages an annual operating budget with revenues of $8 million, and supervises a high-performing team of 10 full-time employees, 12+ additional part-time staff, and 25+ student workers.

Job Responsibilities

40% Financial Management / Store Operations

• Responsible for establishing and managing the budget for an $8 million operation and direct supervision of a management team of 5 individuals
• Work closely with Buyer Supervisors on establishing sales and purchase budgets for all departments
• Keep pace with changes and challenges in the higher ed market
• Responsible for decisions regarding the ARC (Advanced Retail Center) system used for course materials, inventory, distribution, POS systems, and retail technology (current provider is MBS)
• Build upon a successful self-operated model

30% Human Resource Management / Staff Leadership

• Work with, support, and manage employees in several classification groups, including: AFSCME, Teamster, Civil Service, and Professional & Administrative
• Develop and maintain a positive team culture among all Stores staff to include professional development, specific skill-set training, and supporting continuing education
• Directly supervise UMD Stores Financial Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager, Buyer Supervisors, Operations Manager, and the Course Materials Department 
• Lead efforts to create excitement around Stores’ products, programs, services, and initiatives
• Direct the stores activities related to campus and Student Life strategic initiatives, which currently includes sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion

20% Campus Connections

• Build and maintain relationships with individuals and departments across the campus community, including the development of a successful program encouraging a “purchase from Stores” campus philosophy
• Serve as the campus expert and provide information to faculty and administrators related to options for the distribution of course materials at UMD
• Serve on campus committees and task forces on behalf of the UMD Stores and Student Life 
• Attend national and regional conferences and educational offerings and actively participate in workshops to keep up-to-date on what is happening in the college store industry; may serve in regional and/or national level leadership positions

10% Strategic Planning 

• Develop and keep updated an annual Strategic Plan for the Stores operation
• Responsible for capital improvement projects, remodeling and expansion, and overall facility management
• Responsible for the acquisition of store systems and other equipment purchases
• Long-range planning to include exploring new business opportunities both on and off campus 
• Seek out partners to collaborate with, expand and improve services offered to the campus
• Prepare an annual report of activities for the Vice Chancellor for Student Life