About us
Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery is a family-owned business in the Comox Valley, where we have been situated for nearly 20 years. We provide an authentic Indigenous experience through the curation and promotion of handmade, one-of-a-kind First Nations artwork and jewelry. We represent over 100 Northwest Coast artists and work alongside local mentors and professionals who share our passion for First Nations cultures.
Our mission is to foster collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations artists and communities. We strive to uplift and amplify artists’ voices while sharing their work and cultures with a global audience. Our goal is to inspire, educate, and provide exceptional service and value to our local, national, and international customers.
The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, excluding holidays.
Job Description
Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery is seeking a personable and self-motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Assistant Gallery Manager. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, has strong communication and listening skills, and takes pride in providing thoughtful, knowledgeable service. A strong interest in Northwest Coast Indigenous arts and culture is essential, as well as an enthusiasm for learning.
The Assistant Gallery Manager is primarily a customer-facing role. Previous customer service or retail experience is required. The position focuses on day-to-day gallery operations and creating a welcoming and engaging experience for customers, visitors, and artists. Experience in a gallery, tourism, business, or marketing capacity is an asset, but not required.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Provide knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive customer service in person, online, and by phone
- Engage visitors with information about artists and their work, helping them find meaningful pieces while providing an educational experience
- Process retail sales accurately and professionally
- Maintain a curated, organized, and clean gallery space
- Carefully handle, pack, and ship artwork and jewelry
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Update website content, including photography, writing, and SEO
- Create and schedule social media posts
- Assist with custom artwork and jewelry orders
- Take on other tasks as needed
About the Work Environment
The gallery is a calm, inspiring, and welcoming environment rather than a fast-paced retail setting. There are busy periods, particularly during the tourist and holiday seasons and on weekends, but there can also be significant periods of quiet where you will often be working independently and may be the only person in the gallery.
This role is well-suited to someone who enjoys a balance of customer interaction and independent productivity. Quieter periods may be spent maintaining the gallery, packing and shipping, website updating, social media posting, photography, inventory, research, and learning about our artists and artwork.
We are Looking for Someone who:
- Has a genuine interest in providing personal, attentive customer service
- Communicates professionally and thoughtfully, both verbally and in writing
- Is curious about Northwest Coast Indigenous arts and culture and enthusiastic to learn
- Learns quickly and can retain and apply new information
- Is comfortable working independently, managing their time, and recognizing what needs to be done without direction
- Has excellent attention to detail
- Appreciates variety and enjoys a role where no two days are alike
- Is interested in developing with the business over the long term. This is not a seasonal or temporary position
Experience, interest, or education in social media and email marketing, online sales and SEO, photography, and videography is an asset but not required. Experience with Shopify, Adobe Photoshop, Google Suite, Mailchimp, Facebook, and Instagram is also an asset, but training will be provided where needed.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants of all backgrounds with relevant experience. Applicants must reside in the Comox Valley and be available to work in person.
To apply, please submit a COVER LETTER and RESUME with the subject line "Assistant Gallery Manager” to [email protected]. Interviews will take place until the role is filled. We appreciate all expressed interest in this position, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00-$25.00 per hour
Expected hours: 28.0 – 35.0 per week
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Flexible language requirement:
Education:
- Secondary School (required)
Experience:
- Customer service: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
