Employment & Internships

Work at the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust provides employees and interns with enriching opportunities to learn about, foster appreciation for and help preserve Wright’s art and architecture.

Positions may be located at one of four sites: the Preservation Trust's administrative offices in Oak Park, Illinois; Wright’s Oak Park Home and Studio; the Robie House on the University of Chicago campus; or the Merchandise Distribution Center in Oak Park. All locations are smoke-free and drug-free environments. Though its multi-story historic buildings are not accessible to those with mobility impairments, the Preservation Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability.

Internships are available year-round. The Preservation Trust’s internship program welcomes students, graduates, and career-changers who wish to broaden their educational experience by working and learning in a professional museum environment. Students interested in cooperative education or academic credit should contact their college placement office or counselor for more information.

When applying for either an internship or paid employment, please identify the position you are seeking. All correspondence should be directed to the human resources department. Applicants are screened by human resources and resumes of qualified candidates are referred to individual departments.

TO APPLY
Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements to apply@gowright.org reference
position title in subject line

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

Following is a list of our current openings:

• Guest Relations Director
• Guest Relations Manager
• Guest Relations Representative
• Program and Event Sales Representative
• Museum Shop Retail Manager
• Retail Sales Representative
• Internship Summer 2009

GUEST RELATIONS DIRECTOR

Supervisor’s Title:  President and CEO 
Employees Supervised: Guest Relations Managers, Guest Relations Representatives, Guest Relations Coordinator, Wright Plus Coordinator, Museum Housekeepers
Classification:  Exempt 

WORK SUMMARY:
Directs the delivery of guest experiences at the Preservation Trust’s AAM accredited museum sites: the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and the Robie House. Encourages flexibility, responsiveness and collaboration to ensure the best possible guest experience.

1. Manages the daily delivery of guest experiences and activities at the Home and Studio and Robie House. Guest experiences include but are not limited to: tours, programs, events, special uses and facility rentals.
   1. Schedule staff to deliver excellent visitor experiences at both museum sites, adjusting for seasonal requirements and demand; provide ongoing training, direction and supervision of staff and volunteers concerning the job functions required to ensure quality delivery of guest experiences.
   2. Direct preparation of the museums and sites for delivery of guest experiences.
   3. Respond quickly and effectively as any relevant opportunities and challenges arise.
   4. Establish policies and procedures to assure optimal guest experiences.
2. Ensure that personal and property safety/security measures are developed and implemented to provide personal safety on-site.
3. Manage advance ticketing and admissions. Responsible for reporting, tracking, analyzing and disseminating visitation data.
4. Ensure the successful sequencing, management and integration of activities for the guest relations department. Coordinate the usage schedule of the museums and sites.
5. Ensure availability and functionality of equipment and materials for tours, programs, event delivery and facility rental.
6. Oversee implementation of event delivery and facility rental, including food and beverage, equipment rentals and catering arrangements.
7. Oversee the recruitment, training and supervision of guest relations staff at both museum sites. Set quantifiable and qualitative performance expectations for staff and volunteers. Evaluate staff on an annual or as needed basis. Establish effective processes for communication among guest relations staff and across departments.
8. Manage implementation of surveys, evaluation instruments, and other data collection programs as directed by the Marketing and Communications and/or Museum Programs departments.
9. Participate in and complete the interpreter training programs for both museum sites successfully learning to lead public tours.
10. Develop and manage all budgets within the guest relations department.
11. Develop goals, establish measures and assess effectiveness for quality of work and delivery of guest experiences.
12. Assist with special projects or perform special assignments as directed by the President and Chief Executive Officer.
13. As a team member of the Preservation Trust, demonstrate positive interpersonal skills that promote open communication, and respect for all positions, maintenance of confidentiality and contribute to the success of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:
BA or BS undergraduate degree plus five years experience in all aspects of program delivery, guest relations and comprehensive event management at a museum or cultural institution at a management level. Five years experience in development and management of budgets and related financial oversight. Demonstrated success in providing visitor experiences of the highest quality working cross-organizationally, managing human resources and team leadership. Position requires proven problem-solving abilities, excellent customer service, communication and negotiation skills.

ENVIRONMENT:
Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use, public speaking, long periods of standing and regular exposure to weather conditions. Travel to multiple site locations as well as evening and weekend assignments.

TO APPLY
Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements to apply@gowright.org. Reference
Guest Relations Director in subject line.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

GUEST RELATIONS MANAGER

WORK SUMMARY:
Manage delivery of guest experiences at the Preservation Trust’s AAM accredited museum sites: the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and the Robie House.

1. Implement successful delivery of daily guest experiences and activities including but not limited to tours, programs, events, special use of sites and facility rentals at the Home and Studio and Robie House.
2. Manage staff and volunteer resources to deliver quality visitor experiences. Ensure all staff and volunteers are appropriately trained to successfully interact with visitors.
3. Prepare museum and sites for delivery of guest experiences including but not limited to material and equipment requirements, event or program set up, and housekeeping directives. Ensure that staff and volunteers are assigned, available and prepared for the day’s programs and events.
   
4. Respond quickly and effectively as any relevant opportunities and challenges arise.
5. Open, close, secure museums and sites according to approved policies, procedures and security guidelines.
6. Retrieve daily reservations from online resource; track and report visitation and participation data.
7. Ensure personal and property safety/security procedures are followed by staff and volunteers. Resolve related problems in collaboration with Guest Relations Director.
8. Provide supervisor with insights into customer feedback, requests and product issues.
9. Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
10. Demonstrate interpersonal skills that promote communication, respect, maintenance of confidentiality, and success of the Preservation Trust.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree preferred. Minimum of three to five years experience in program delivery, guest relations and event management at a museum or cultural institution. Demonstrated success in providing quality visitor experiences, functioning cross-organizationally, and managing human resources. Must be computer literate. Requires excellent customer service and communication skills and proven problem-solving abilities.

ENVIRONMENT:
Requires frequent computer and phone use, public speaking, long periods of standing, regular exposure to weather conditions. Travel to multiple site locations, evening and weekend assignments. EOE

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTION:
Employees advised on OSHA standards through required signage and administrative updates compliant with federal and state law.

TO APPLY:
Email resume, cover letter and salary history to apply@gowright.org. Reference
Guest Relations Manager in subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Position begins as soon as possible.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

GUEST RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

Supervisor’s Title: Guest Relations Manager
Employees Supervised: None
Classification: Non-Exempt

WORK SUMMARY:
Implement successful delivery of daily guest experiences and activities including but not limited to tours, programs, events, special use of sites and facility rentals at the Home and Studio and Robie House.

1. Deliver quality daily guest experiences and activities including but not limited to tours, programs, events, special use of sites and facility rentals at the Home and Studio and Robie House.
2. Assist in the preparation of the sites for delivery of guest experiences including but not limited to material and equipment requirements, event or program set up and housekeeping details.
3. Accurately operate registers to enable merchandise, membership, tour and event transactions.
4. Distribute audio tour equipment per established procedures.
5. Ensure customer service and safety goals in order to contribute to organizational objectives.
6. Participate in and complete the first scheduled interpreter training program successfully learning to lead tours.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.
8. As a team member of the Preservation Trust, demonstrate positive interpersonal skills that promote open communication, respect for all positions, maintenance of confidentiality and success of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Position requires excellent customer service and communication skills. Experience in hospitality, museums, or other service industry with proven results preferred.

ENVIRONMENT:
Multi-level work area; museum building and administrative offices not accessible to the mobility impaired. Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use, public speaking, long periods of standing and regular exposure to weather conditions. Travel to multiple locations as well as evening and weekend assignments necessary. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment. Equal opportunity employer.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTION:
Employees advised on OSHA standards through required signage and administrative updates compliant with federal and state law.

DISCLAIMER:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

TO APPLY
Email resume, cover letter and salary history to apply@gowright.org. Reference
Guest Relations Representative in subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Position begins as soon as possible.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

PROGRAM AND EVENT SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Supervisor’s Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
Employees Supervised: None
Classification: Part-Time

WORK SUMMARY:
Manage outside sales initiatives of the Preservation Trust in order to increase organizational revenue. Products include custom tours, events, facility rentals, travel opportunities and more.

1. Manage and implement outside sales efforts of the Preservation Trust
   • Achieve sales goals for identified product
   • Retain and grow existing customer base
   • Be knowledgeable in all Preservation Trust product
   • Create customer solutions and develop customer proposals
   • Negotiate contract terms and contract structures in conjunction with partner business units
   • Provide relevant information to organizational partner for successful event and/or program implementation
   • Provide contract and billing information to accounts receivable in a timely fashion
2. Generate and manage sales leads
   • Identify and target new customers
3. Develop sales plan
   • Create sales plan for each product
   • Establish sales goals for each product in conjunction with the director of marketing and communication
   • Achieve goals set forth in plan
4. Manage contractual negotiations and sell to existing Preservation Trust customers
   • Negotiate annual arrangements with clients such as the Chicago Architecture Foundation and other businesses as assigned
   • Implement sales efforts with existing customers in effort to grow annual billings
5. Represent the Preservation Trust at tradeshow, exhibits and other community events
   • Act as organization liaison in the business community
6. Maintain customer database
   • Create and manage database of existing and new customers
   • Create and manage prospect database
   • Track and report sales activity
7. Actively participate as a contributing member of the marketing and communication department
   • Complete assigned tasks
   • Inform marketing and communications staff of opportunities and relevant activities
8. Participate in and complete interpreter training program.
9. As a team member of the Preservation Trust, demonstrate positive interpersonal skills that promote: open communication, respect for all positions, maintenance of confidentiality and success of the organization.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
BA or BS undergraduate degree plus three to five years of successful sales experience with a proven track record for developing new business and expanding business base. Position requires proficiency in relationship building, outstanding communications skills, demonstrated customer relation skills, and proven sales and lead database management experience. Strong business acumen and maturity. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

ENVIRONMENT:
Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use. Some travel to off-site locations as well as evening and weekend assignments.

TO APPLY
Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements to apply@gowright.org. Reference
Program and Event Sales Representative in subject line.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

MUSEUM SHOP RETAIL MANAGER

Supervisor’s Title: Director of MultiChannel Retailing
Employees Supervised: Museum Shop Retail Representatives
Classification: Exempt

WORK SUMMARY:
Manage the retail sales operations of the Preservation Trust to actively engage customers, achieve revenue targets and provide a welcoming professional environment for customers, volunteers and staff.

1. Manage all sales responsibilities, operations and merchandising of the Home and Studio and Robie House museum shops.
2. Recruit and schedule staff and volunteers for each museum shop to meet anticipated visitor needs. Coordinate scheduling with Guest Relations Director. Provide regular training to all retail staff and volunteers to guarantee their in-depth knowledge of excellent customer service techniques, information on all products, and procedures and processes to achieve established goals.
3. Ensure that current accounting procedures and security measures are always followed in cash handling, bookkeeping, inventory and banking. Resolve questions or problems with the Finance Department or Supervisor.
4. Manage POS system (TAM) including data entry, sku creation, reporting and trouble shooting and any related needs. Train staff and volunteers on POS system and ensure accuracy and consistency at all times.
5. Responsible for all daily, monthly, annual and other reporting for the Museum Shops.
6. Manage all off site merchandise sales events.
7. Work in cooperation with MultiChannel Retail Department to merchandise shop with appropriate products and supplies in adequate quantities using the established merchandise transfer process. Ensure that appropriate quantities of product are available for programs and events where sales will take place.
8. Maximize sales using organization and display of products for optimal promotion. Work proactively in cooperation with Marketing and Communications Department to obtain approved signage and display materials to promote sales. Maintain cleanliness of shops and work areas at all times. Develop and implement strategies to deter shrinkage. Track and report results on a regular basis.
9. In cooperation with supervisor, develop annual budgets and sales goals for each museum shop. Monitor expenses and revenues on regular basis; report and adjust for any variances as appropriate.
10. Ensure that personal and property safety/security procedures known and followed by staff and volunteers, including but not limited to: proper use of alarm system, emergency calls to police and ambulance, remediation of damage, and confidential and secure storage of paper and electronic documents. Resolve any related problems in collaboration with Guest Relations Director.
11. Manage accurate inventory processing procedures and all merchandise transfers.
12. Provide supervisor with insights into customer feedback, requests and product issues.
13. Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
14. As a team member of the Preservation Trust, demonstrate positive interpersonal skills that promote open communication, respect for all positions, maintenance of confidentiality, and success of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree preferred. Minimum of five years experience in retail management and merchandising. Supervisory experience required. Must be computer literate and able to use Microsoft software, database programs and POS systems. Position requires proven problem-solving abilities, team leadership and excellent customer service and communication skills. Must be able to move loads up to 40 pounds.

ENVIRONMENT:
Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use, public speaking, long periods of standing. Travel to multiple locations as well as evening and weekend assignments necessary.

TO APPLY
Email resume and cover letter to apply@gowright.org. Reference Museum Shop Retail Manager in subject line.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

RETAIL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Supervisor’s Title: Museum Shop Manager
Employees Supervised: None
Classification: Hourly-Non-Exempt

WORK SUMMARY:
Works as a member of the multi-channel retailing team to promote and execute sales in the museum shops.  Provides excellent customer service and contributes to the sales goals of the organization.

DUTIES:

1. Provide world class customer service to guests.  Build relationships, share product knowledge and present a clean, safe and visually appealing shop environment.
2. Accurately operate registers to enable merchandise, membership, tour and event transactions.
3. Handle cash and provide change without error.
4. Act as a resource about merchandise, tours, events and programs for guests at both museums.
5. Consistently work to achieve shop sales goals, which support organizational revenue goals.
6. Be knowledgeable about all products.  Process and stock merchandise as required.
7. As a team member of the Preservation Trust, demonstrate positive interpersonal skills that promote open communication, respect for all positions, maintenance of confidentiality and success of the organization.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Position requires excellent customer service and communication skills. Some sales experience in retail, museums, or other service industry with proven results preferred.

ENVIRONMENT:
Multi-level work area; museum building and administrative offices not accessible to the mobility impaired. Position requires frequent and regular computer and phone use; regular exposure to weather conditions; ability to move loads up to 40 lbs. Travel to multiple locations as well as evening and weekend assignments necessary. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment. Equal opportunity employer.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS/INSTRUCTION:
Employees advised on OSHA standards through required signage and administrative updates compliant with federal and state law.

DISCLAIMER:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

TO APPLY
Email resume and/or work history and cover letter to apply@gowright.org. Reference
Retail Sales Representative in subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Position begins as soon as possible.

NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED

^ back to top

INTERNSHIP - Summer 2009

Though internship applications will be considered for the fall of 2009, the intern roster for the summer of 2009 is filled and no further applications will be reviewed. 

^ back to top