Barnes & Noble College
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Executive General Manager, Harvard Coop & MIT Coop Retail
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Barnes & Noble College Introduction: Barnes & Noble College is a retail partner for nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide. We offer a retail environment focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic campus retail setting. Our teams interact with students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the public to provide outstanding customer service and to sell or rent books, general merchandise, and related services for an academic community. Overview
Barnes & Noble College is seeking a dynamic
Executive General Manager
to lead the
Harvard & MIT COOP
portfolio — high-traffic stores and community hubs serving students, faculty, alumni, and local communities. You will oversee daily operations, mentor a diverse team, and partner with campus and community stakeholders to drive sales, profitability, and brand loyalty. This role translates the COOP’s curated, experience-led retail strategy into actionable plans — including events, merchandise innovation, and membership growth — while using data to iterate and improve. The ideal candidate empowers teams, balances heritage with innovation, and delivers an exceptional customer experience. Responsibilities
The General Manager ensures operational excellence and outstanding customer experience across the Harvard & MIT COOP portfolio. You will lead a diverse team, manage daily operations across multiple locations, and oversee a minimum annual sales volume of $30M+. Turn high-level retail strategy into action — translating priorities into door-level plans, coordinating events, merchandise drops, and membership initiatives, and using data to make informed decisions. Accountable for P&L, people, and brand, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture. Expectations
Driving Results/Sales
Oversee and manage all aspects of store operations during traditional and peak periods, including the direct execution or delegation of sales promotions, special events, and merchandise displays to maintain efficiency and achieve targeted outcomes. Ensure the store layout is optimized for sales and customer experience, adhering to company guidelines on merchandise and visual standards; layouts and displays are updated regularly. Review and analyze store financials with leadership to implement strategies that drive sales growth. Uphold store policies, safety protocols, and maintain a clean, organized work environment. Oversee adherence to course materials timelines for adopting, purchasing, selling, and returning course materials in compliance with company guidelines.
Campus and Community Engagement
Foster positive relationships with clients and campus partners, understanding needs and expectations, and identifying solutions aligned with business trajectories. Maintain knowledge of company & COOP initiatives and identify ways to enhance relationships. Serve as primary liaison between the store and the Cambridge community, facilitating events and communicating store operations to build awareness, loyalty, and sales.
Talent Management
Oversee recruitment to hire top talent and maintain optimal staffing levels. Promote accountability and continuous growth, mentoring and coaching the team, including other store leadership. Drive peak performance by managing and resolving performance issues with a focus on long-term growth and excellence. Identify team members with advancement potential. Ensure completion of all required training for team members. Oversee direct or indirect supervision of a large team across 7 locations.
Customer Service Excellence
Lead customer service by listening to customer needs and recommending suitable products and services to foster satisfaction and loyalty. Deliver personalized assistance and resolve inquiries professionally and courteously. Model and mentor exceptional customer service across the team to meet service expectations. Maintain expert knowledge of products and services, communicating features and benefits while upholding company policies in all interactions.
Massachusetts Pay Transparency Information (Only applicable in Massachusetts stores): Pay: General Manager pay range $92,400 - $123,218 Supplemental Pay: Eligible to participate in an annual bonus program. Target bonus is 15% of base salary. Payout eligibility and amount are based on meeting stated objectives updated each year. Benefits available include: Get paid sooner! Daily Pay earned wage access is available to all store employees. Employee Discount Paid sick time (accrued based on time worked) Eligibility to participate in a 401k (after 1000 hours worked in a 12 month period) Commuter Benefit Eligibility for each plan may include a waiting period and may require enrollment during a stated eligibility period. COVID-19 Considerations:
Our stores comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements and/or recommendations regarding social distancing and sanitizing. In accordance with campus requirements, positions may require vaccination confirmation. The use of face masks on campus may be required. Qualifications
5-7+ years of multi-unit retail management experience, with a preference for academic retail background. Strong organization, time management, and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to enhance sales and oversee store operations. Outstanding leadership and team-building capabilities; experience recruiting, developing, and leading high-performance teams. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, and presentation capabilities. Experience reviewing and analyzing financial data; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Advanced relationship-building, influencing skills, and ability to plan events that drive customer engagement. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Ability to move around the store, sit, stand, lift up to 50 pounds, and perform required tasks. EEO Statement:
Barnes & Noble College is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
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Executive General Manager, Harvard Coop & MIT Coop Retail
role at
Barnes & Noble College Introduction: Barnes & Noble College is a retail partner for nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide. We offer a retail environment focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic campus retail setting. Our teams interact with students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the public to provide outstanding customer service and to sell or rent books, general merchandise, and related services for an academic community. Overview
Barnes & Noble College is seeking a dynamic
Executive General Manager
to lead the
Harvard & MIT COOP
portfolio — high-traffic stores and community hubs serving students, faculty, alumni, and local communities. You will oversee daily operations, mentor a diverse team, and partner with campus and community stakeholders to drive sales, profitability, and brand loyalty. This role translates the COOP’s curated, experience-led retail strategy into actionable plans — including events, merchandise innovation, and membership growth — while using data to iterate and improve. The ideal candidate empowers teams, balances heritage with innovation, and delivers an exceptional customer experience. Responsibilities
The General Manager ensures operational excellence and outstanding customer experience across the Harvard & MIT COOP portfolio. You will lead a diverse team, manage daily operations across multiple locations, and oversee a minimum annual sales volume of $30M+. Turn high-level retail strategy into action — translating priorities into door-level plans, coordinating events, merchandise drops, and membership initiatives, and using data to make informed decisions. Accountable for P&L, people, and brand, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture. Expectations
Driving Results/Sales
Oversee and manage all aspects of store operations during traditional and peak periods, including the direct execution or delegation of sales promotions, special events, and merchandise displays to maintain efficiency and achieve targeted outcomes. Ensure the store layout is optimized for sales and customer experience, adhering to company guidelines on merchandise and visual standards; layouts and displays are updated regularly. Review and analyze store financials with leadership to implement strategies that drive sales growth. Uphold store policies, safety protocols, and maintain a clean, organized work environment. Oversee adherence to course materials timelines for adopting, purchasing, selling, and returning course materials in compliance with company guidelines.
Campus and Community Engagement
Foster positive relationships with clients and campus partners, understanding needs and expectations, and identifying solutions aligned with business trajectories. Maintain knowledge of company & COOP initiatives and identify ways to enhance relationships. Serve as primary liaison between the store and the Cambridge community, facilitating events and communicating store operations to build awareness, loyalty, and sales.
Talent Management
Oversee recruitment to hire top talent and maintain optimal staffing levels. Promote accountability and continuous growth, mentoring and coaching the team, including other store leadership. Drive peak performance by managing and resolving performance issues with a focus on long-term growth and excellence. Identify team members with advancement potential. Ensure completion of all required training for team members. Oversee direct or indirect supervision of a large team across 7 locations.
Customer Service Excellence
Lead customer service by listening to customer needs and recommending suitable products and services to foster satisfaction and loyalty. Deliver personalized assistance and resolve inquiries professionally and courteously. Model and mentor exceptional customer service across the team to meet service expectations. Maintain expert knowledge of products and services, communicating features and benefits while upholding company policies in all interactions.
Massachusetts Pay Transparency Information (Only applicable in Massachusetts stores): Pay: General Manager pay range $92,400 - $123,218 Supplemental Pay: Eligible to participate in an annual bonus program. Target bonus is 15% of base salary. Payout eligibility and amount are based on meeting stated objectives updated each year. Benefits available include: Get paid sooner! Daily Pay earned wage access is available to all store employees. Employee Discount Paid sick time (accrued based on time worked) Eligibility to participate in a 401k (after 1000 hours worked in a 12 month period) Commuter Benefit Eligibility for each plan may include a waiting period and may require enrollment during a stated eligibility period. COVID-19 Considerations:
Our stores comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements and/or recommendations regarding social distancing and sanitizing. In accordance with campus requirements, positions may require vaccination confirmation. The use of face masks on campus may be required. Qualifications
5-7+ years of multi-unit retail management experience, with a preference for academic retail background. Strong organization, time management, and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to enhance sales and oversee store operations. Outstanding leadership and team-building capabilities; experience recruiting, developing, and leading high-performance teams. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, and presentation capabilities. Experience reviewing and analyzing financial data; proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Advanced relationship-building, influencing skills, and ability to plan events that drive customer engagement. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Ability to move around the store, sit, stand, lift up to 50 pounds, and perform required tasks. EEO Statement:
Barnes & Noble College is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr