Barnes & Noble College is a retail partner for nearly 800 colleges and universities nationwide.  We offer a retail environment like no other – uniquely focused on delivering essential educational content, tools, and merchandise within a dynamic retail environment on campuses of higher education.  Our teams interact directly with our customers including students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the general public to provide outstanding customer service to sell or rent books, general merchandise, and an array of products and services for an academic community.

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. 

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+. This role turns 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. You will be accountable for P&L, people, and brand, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture. 

Expectations:

• Driving Results/Sales:
  • Oversees and manages 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.
  • Ensures the store layout is optimized for sales and customer experience, adhering to company guidelines on merchandise and visual standards and that layout and displays are updated and/or refreshed regularly.
  • In partnership with the Director, reviews and analyzes store financials to implement strategies that drive sales growth.
  • Upholds and adheres to store policies and procedures, follows safety and security protocols, and maintains a clean and organized work environment.
  • Oversees adherence to the course materials timeline of adopting, purchasing, selling, and returning of course materials to ensure compliance with Company guidelines.

• Campus and Community Engagement:
  • Fosters positive relationships with clients and campus partners by proactively understanding their needs and expectations, offering solutions that align with their business trajectories, and staying ahead of trends to enhance service delivery.
  • Maintains complete knowledge of company & Coop initiatives and regularly identifies ways to enhance the relationship utilizing this knowledge.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the store and the Cambridge community, facilitating events, and ensuring effective communication of store operations to build awareness, loyalty and drive sales.

• Talent Management:
  • Oversees recruitment efforts to hire top talent and maintain optimal staffing levels.
  • Promotes a culture of accountability and continuous growth, leading by example with strategic mentorship and coaching for the entire team, including other store leadership.
  • Drives peak performance across all levels by proactively managing and resolving performance issues with a focus on long-term growth and excellence. Identifies team members with advancement potential.
  • Ensures the completion of all required training for team members.
  • Ongoing responsibility for direct or indirect supervision of a large team across 7 locations.

• Customer Service Excellence:
  • Leads customer service efforts by actively listening to and understanding customer needs, recommending suitable products and services to foster satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Ensures the delivery of personalized customer assistance, efficiently addressing inquiries and resolving issues with professionalism and courtesy.
  • Models outstanding customer service in every interaction and mentors all members of the team to ensure that all deliver the level of service expected in every interaction.
  • Maintains expert knowledge of all products and services, effectively communicating features, benefits, and usage, while also upholding company policies in all customer 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 is 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 the completion of 1000 hours worked in a 12 month period)
• Commuter Benefit

Eligibility for each plan may include a waiting period and may require the employee to enroll during a stated eligibility period.

COVID-19 Considerations:

Our stores comply with all applicable federal, state and local requirements and/or recommendations regarding social distancing and sanitizing. In accordance with individual campus requirements, positions may require confirmation of vaccination. The use of face masks throughout the day and while on campus may also be expected or required.

• 5-7+ years of multi-unit experience in retail management, with a preference for those with an academic retail background.
• Demonstrated expertise in organization, time management, and problem-solving.
• A proven ability to enhance sales and effectively oversee store operations.
• Outstanding leadership and team-building skills, with a history of recruiting, developing, and leading high-performance teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, and presentation capabilities.
• Experience reviewing and analyzing financial data and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Advanced skills in building relationships, influencing team dynamics, and identifying and executing activities and events that build customer engagement.
• Flexibility to work various schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to routinely move around the store, sit, stand, lift up to 50 pounds, bend, twist and lean to perform needed tasks.

Barnes & Noble College is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.