Retail Manager — Denali National Park Operations
Location: Denali National Park, Alaska
Employment Type: Full-Time, Year-Round
Reports To: Managing Director
Direct/Indirect Reports: Up to 15 seasonal associates
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $78,000–$85,000/year, DOE
- Annual Bonus: Up to 10% of base salary, tied to performance and operational targets
- Housing: Free on-site housing provided during the operating season
- Meals: Three meals per day provided while working on-site in Denali National Park
- Additional benefits: Health insurance, PTO, 401k, etc.
Position Summary
The Retail Manager is a full-time, year-round leadership position responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of all retail and food service operations within the company's Denali National Park portfolio. This role oversees multiple business units — Grocery and Liquor, Gift Shop, a Food Truck, and two small gift shops located within the Grande Denali Lodge and the Denali Bluffs Hotel — along with a team of up to 20 seasonal associates.
All on-site retail and food service operations run seasonally from May 1 through September 20. During the off-season, the Retail Manager is responsible for planning, hiring, procurement, budgeting, and readiness activities to ensure a successful and timely season launch each spring.
This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who thrives in a remote, physically demanding environment and enjoys building and running a small, high-performing multi-unit retail operation.
Key Responsibilities
Season Operations (May 1–September 20)
- Oversee daily operations across all retail locations, ensuring consistent quality, guest service, and brand standards
- Manage staffing, scheduling, and performance of up to 20 seasonal associates, including cashiers, stockers, an assistant manager, line cooks, and gift shop attendants
- Ensure proper inventory management, ordering, and merchandising across grocery, liquor, and gifts
- Maintain compliance with Alaska liquor licensing and food service health/safety regulations
- Monitor sales performance, labor costs, and shrinkage across all units; adjust operations to meet financial targets
- Serve as the primary on-site point of contact for issues involving the two hotel-affiliated gift shop locations, coordinating with Grande Denali Lodge and Denali Bluffs Hotel management as needed
- Handle escalated guest service issues and ensure a high standard of visitor experience across all touchpoints
Team Leadership
- Recruit, hire, train, and onboard seasonal staff ahead of each season
- Directly supervise the assistant manager and provide leadership development
- Set clear expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and manage disciplinary issues as needed
- Foster a positive, safety-conscious team culture in a remote, communal-living work environment
Off-Season Responsibilities (September 21–April 30)
- Conduct end-of-season inventory, financial close-out, and performance review of the prior season
- Lead hiring and recruitment efforts for the upcoming season's seasonal workforce
- Manage vendor relationships, negotiate supplier contracts, and place pre-season inventory orders
- Develop the seasonal operating budget and staffing plan in coordination with senior leadership
- Coordinate facility maintenance, repairs, and readiness for all locations
Qualifications
- 5+ years of retail management experience, including staff supervision
- Experience managing multiple locations or business units preferred
- Strong financial acumen: budgeting, inventory control, P&L management
- Experience with liquor retail and/or food service compliance a plus
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and lead seasonal or transient workforces
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills; comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy
- Willingness to live and work on-site in a remote national park setting for the duration of the season
- Valid driver's license required
Working Conditions
- This position is based on-site in Denali National Park during the operating season (May 1–September 20) and may require a hybrid or remote work arrangement during the off-season, depending on company needs
- Remote, rural work environment with limited access to standard amenities
- Physical requirements include standing for extended periods, lifting up-to 50 lbs, and working in a small-format retail/food service setting
- Schedule includes evenings, weekends, and holidays during the operating season, consistent with peak tourism demand
- Communal on-site housing is shared with other seasonal staff