Miami Design Preservation League
Art Deco Welcome Center: Art Deco Gift Shop, Art Deco Museum, Official Art Deco Walking Tours
Lead the public-facing operations of one of Miami Beach’s most iconic cultural institutions. This role oversees retail, tours, staff, and guest experience at the Art Deco Welcome Center while helping prepare the organization for its 50th anniversary. Ideal for a mission-driven leader who enjoys building systems, developing teams, and connecting visitors to the architectural story of Miami Beach.
About Us
The Miami Design Preservation League’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the architectural, cultural, social, and environmental integrity of Miami Beach and the surrounding areas.
We are stewards of a globally significant cultural landscape. Through tours, programming, retail, and public engagement, we educate residents and visitors about why preservation matters — and why it must continue. We are also cultural ambassadors for the City of Miami Beach.
As we enter our next phase of growth and prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2027, we are strengthening our internal systems, elevating our standards, and refining our operations to reflect the significance of our mission and the scale of our impact. This role is central to that evolution and will play a critical part in shaping our next chapter.
The Opportunity
The Tours, Retail & Operations Manager is responsible for leading our public-facing experiences and building the operational structure that supports them. This is a leadership role for someone who:
- Believes deeply in preservation and cultural stewardship
- Understands that retail and tours are tools for advocacy
- Is energized by building systems and accountability
- Can elevate standards while maintaining team morale
- Balances mission integrity with financial sustainability
- Cultivates a culture of clarity, accountability, and teamwork
This person will lead and oversee daily tour operations, retail strategy, staff, volunteer tour guides, and operational excellence — ensuring a positive team culture and that every guest interaction reinforces our mission and reflects a professionally run organization.
This position reports to the Executive Director.
Core Responsibilities
Mission-Driven Experience & Leadership
- Integrate preservation storytelling into retail merchandising and guest engagement
- Train staff to act as ambassadors of our mission
- Safeguard brand integrity across all public-facing experiences
- Ensure tours clearly communicate the architectural, cultural, and environmental significance of Miami Beach
Retail and tours are not just transactions — they are opportunities to inspire advocacy and grow membership.
Retail Strategy & Revenue Growth
- Oversee all retail operations including merchandising, inventory, pricing, and vendor relationships
- Curate products aligned with preservation, architecture, local culture, and sustainability
- Increase revenue through thoughtful strategy
- Monitor key metrics including conversion rate, average transaction value, attachment rate, and margin
- Align product sourcing with environmental and cultural values whenever possible
Financial sustainability strengthens mission impact.
Tour Operations & Guest Experience
- Oversee scheduling, staffing, and execution of all tours
- Evaluate current tour offerings (approximately 8000 per year) to expand range and participation
- Enhance the guest experience
- Expand opportunities for tour guide continuing education and peer engagement
- Improve guest flow and retail integration
- Develop new programming aligned with preservation goals
- Ensure operational excellence and safety standards
Organizational Professionalization, Systems Building & Operational Oversight
We are intentionally strengthening our internal structure and elevating our operational standards. This role will lead that effort within tours and retail.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating and maintaining clear operating procedures
- Defining roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines
- Establishing measurable performance goals and reporting rhythms
- Implementing structured supervision practices and performance evaluations
- Providing visible daily oversight of staff and operations
- Improving scheduling efficiency and payroll discipline
- Implementing formal onboarding and training systems
- Monitoring adherence to policies and addressing performance gaps constructively
- Replacing informal workarounds with repeatable and accountable processes
Success means:
- Staff understand expectations clearly
- Procedures are followed consistently
- Performance is measured and discussed regularly
- Operational quality does not depend on individual personalities
- Leadership visibility builds trust and stability across the team
Team Leadership & Cultural Standards
- Lead, coach, and develop retail and tour staff
- Build a culture of professionalism, preparedness, and accountability
- Hold team members to clear service and performance standards
- Conduct regular feedback conversations and performance reviews
- Foster pride in both mission and operational excellence
We seek a leader who balances warmth with directness and models high standards consistently.
The Ideal Candidate
- Deeply aligned with our mission to preserve and protect Miami Beach
- Motivated by stewardship, not just management
- Experienced in retail, hospitality, tourism, museum, or cultural institution leadership
- Proven track record of revenue growth and operational improvement
- Systems-oriented and detail-driven
- Comfortable making decisions and holding others accountable
- Professional in communication and follow-through
- Calm under pressure and solutions-focused
- Upbeat with a high standard of customer service
The ideal candidate believes mission-driven organizations deserve the same operational rigor as any high-performing business.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of leadership experience in retail, tourism, hospitality, or cultural institutions
- Experience managing staff and operational budgets
- Demonstrated ability to implement systems and improve performance
- Experience analyzing sales data and operational metrics
- Experience with Lightspeed POS or similar system
- Background or strong interest in architecture, preservation, culture, or environmental stewardship preferred
- Foreign language skills a plus
What Success Looks Like
- Retail that is curated, mission-aligned, and financially strong
- Staff who operate with clarity, pride, and professionalism
- Clearly documented systems and smooth daily operations
- Tours that inspire and educate with consistency and quality
- A public-facing experience that reflects the importance of our work
Why This Role Matters
Miami Beach is more than a destination — it is an architectural and cultural treasure facing ongoing environmental and development pressures.
This position ensures that every guest interaction strengthens awareness, advocacy, and long-term sustainability.
We are not simply hiring an operations manager. We are hiring a steward — someone who believes in what we protect and has the leadership skill to elevate how we operate.
Compensation, Schedule & Physical Requirements
Salary range: $75,000 – $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
This role is eligible for a performance-based bonus of up to 10% tied to revenue growth, operational performance, and organizational benchmarks.
We offer generous paid time off and paid holidays. While we do not currently provide employer-sponsored health insurance, we are committed to offering strong overall compensation aligned with the scope and responsibility of this leadership role.
This position oversees public-facing operations that function seven days per week. Regular weekend presence is expected, with flexibility to take days off during the week. Occasional evening availability is required for programs, special events, and peak periods.
The role includes hands-on operational oversight within the retail and tour environment. The candidate must be able to lift and organize inventory and materials, including safely lifting items up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume to meg@mdpl.org. Applications must include both documents to be considered.
Please include “Operations Manager – Retail, Tours & Guest Experience” in the subject line of your email.
Applications will be accepted until April 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.