Job Description

Assistant Store Manager

Retail | Audience and Experience

We're looking for an Assistant Store Manager who will support the leadership of Te Papa's retail sales team to deliver exceptional customer service, drive sales performance, and maintain consistently high standards across daily store operations.

Purpose of the position

The purpose of this position is to support the Manager Te Papa Retail Stores in leading, motivating, and developing the retail sales team to achieve sales targets, deliver outstanding customer service, and uphold high standards of product knowledge, presentation, and operational excellence. The role contributes to the smooth running of daily store operations and the ongoing training and development of the team.

You'll work in a way that reflects manaakitanga (care and respect), builds whanaungatanga (strong relationships), and encourages auahatanga (continuous improvement).

What success looks like

After your first year, people will describe you as someone who creates an energised, high‑performing retail team environment. You will be known for leading by example, demonstrating excellent customer service, and motivating the team to meet and exceed sales targets. Colleagues will see you as adaptable, collaborative, and proactive—someone who communicates clearly, handles challenges constructively, and contributes to a culture where Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mana Taonga are embedded in everyday practice. You will be recognised for your strong product knowledge, your ability to coach others, and your commitment to delivering a consistently high‑quality visitor experience.

Key responsibilities

You will support the daily leadership of the retail sales team, coaching and motivating staff to deliver excellent customer service and achieve sales targets. You will help manage daily store operations, ensure high standards of presentation, support staff training and development, and contribute to recruitment. You will assist with planning staff resourcing, respond to customer queries and complaints, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient store operations. You will collaborate across the Retail team and wider directorate, contribute to operational delivery aligned with Te Papa's Rautaki, and uphold Te Tiriti and Mana Taonga in all aspects of your work.

Skills, experience and behaviours

We're looking for someone who brings at least three years' retail experience, including one year in a supervisory or team‑leader role. You will have proven ability to inspire and motivate a retail workforce, strong customer service and sales experience and a passion for delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, strong product knowledge or a willingness to learn, and the ability to coach others.

You will bring respect for tikanga Māori, te reo Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Mana Taonga, and a commitment to culturally grounded practice. You will be adaptable, resilient, collaborative, and committed to continuous improvement.

It's a bonus if you have ongoing learning in Te Tiriti, tikanga, te reo Māori, or Mana Taonga, experience in motivating sales teams in high‑volume environments, or familiarity with retail incentive schemes and visitor‑focused sales strategies.

What we offer

• A supportive, values-driven team environment
• A workplace committed to Te Tiriti
• Comprehensive benefits including onsite Kindergarten, subsidised parking, café and store discounts, and free entry to paid exhibitions

Other Information

This is a full-time position that includes a weekend shift, 40 hours per week, based at Te Papa, Wellington.

For more details, please refer to the attached Position Description.

If you are viewing this advertisement on a website other than the Te Papa job board, the Position Description may not be accessible. In this case, please visit jobs.tepapa.govt.nz to view the Position Description and apply.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Pre-employment checks will be undertaken.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter via jobs.tepapa.govt.nz

Applications close: 12 July 2026

If you have questions, please ask

For a confidential discussion, contact Sarah Hopkinson, Head of Visitor Engagement via Sarah.Hopkinson@tepapa.govt.nz