Retail and Events Coordinator

Retail and Events Coordinator

Turn retail, events, and guest experiences into support for animals in need.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Retail and Events Coordinator to support retail operations, off-site retail opportunities, fundraising events, and the ARL birthday party program. This role helps manage retail spaces such as the Animal House, Second Chance Ranch Tack Shop, online sales, pop-up retail opportunities, and event-based retail experiences.

This is a great opportunity for someone with retail, sales, customer service, events, merchandising, or inventory experience who enjoys creating positive guest experiences, organizing details, supporting fundraising efforts, and contributing to a mission-driven organization.

Schedule

• Full-time, salaried position

• Tuesday through Saturday

• Schedule may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, holidays, and event support based on retail, birthday party, and organizational needs.

About the Animal Rescue League of Iowa

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization, helping animals and the people who love them through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, animal services, community programs, and pet support resources. Across multiple locations and programs in the Des Moines metro, the ARL works every day to provide compassionate care, practical support, and trusted resources for animals and families in our community.

What You’ll Do

• Manage retail operations for the ARL retail spaces, including inventory, displays, point-of-sale processes, online sales, fulfillment, and customer service.

• Support retail fundraising opportunities such as the Animal House events, online sales, pop-ups, and off-site booths.

• Lead and execute off-site retail booths at events such as the Iowa State Fair, Pet Expo, Raise Your Paw, and other ARL events.

• Research, develop, and maintain vendor relationships while supporting thoughtful purchasing practices.

• Collaborate with Marketing on retail promotions, sales, events, branded merchandise, apparel, calendars, and new product ideas.

• Collaborate with the Events team to select, promote, fulfill, and set up retail needs for ARL events.

• Support the Adoption team by finalizing adoption payments, as needed.

• Analyze sales, inventory, and shrinkage to help meet financial and strategic goals.

• Provide oversight of the birthday party program, including schedules, parent information, supplies, and emergency coverage needs.

• Supervise and support Birthday Coordinators.

• Provide exceptional customer service and support customer service training for staff and volunteers.

• Assist with volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and engagement efforts related to Development, as needed.

• Communicate professionally with departments, vendors, volunteers, customers, and community partners.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.

• At least one year of retail, sales, customer service, events, merchandising, or related experience required.

• Management, supervisory, lead, or program coordination experience preferred.

• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record required.

• Strong customer service, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to remain organized and professional in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate inventory, sales, and point-of-sale information.

• Basic math skills required.

• Accurate spelling and grammar required.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Budgeting, purchasing, vendor management, or event support experience preferred.

• Ability to resolve customer, volunteer, staff, and operational concerns professionally.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees

The ARL is proud to offer competitive, market-driven compensation and a mission-focused culture. In addition, a variety of benefits are available to full-time employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Employer-paid long-term disability and basic life insurance

• Supplemental insurances, including short-term disability, supplemental life insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance

• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution

• Veterinary benefits

• Work-life balance through our expansive holiday and paid time off policies

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works in retail, event, office, and animal welfare environments and may require frequent standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, event setup, merchandise handling, and computer-based work. Candidates must be able to frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

The role may include occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions. Work may also occasionally involve exposure to animal odors, animal waste, moderate noise, contagious or zoonotic diseases, and the possibility of bites or scratches while following established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Join the ARL?

As the Retail and Events Coordinator, your work helps turn merchandise, events, birthday parties, and guest experiences into meaningful support for animals in need. You will play an important role in creating positive customer experiences, supporting fundraising efforts, and helping community members connect with the ARL’s mission.

If you are organized, creative, customer-focused, and excited to support animals through retail and event experiences, we would love to have you join our team.

Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.