Job Description

The Area Manager is responsible for leading the performance of between 2 and 5 retail stores within a defined district. This new leadership position is fully focused on management — building teams of sales associates and teachers that achieve results. The Area Manager will drive sales, rentals, and lessons performance, develop store-level leaders and associates, and ensure operational standards are met across their cluster.

Reporting to the District Manager, the Area Manager has multi-unit P&L responsibility for sales, margin, and EBITDA.

Sales & Financial Performance

• Own P&L results for their assigned store cluster of 2-5 locations.
• Deliver sales, margin, and EBITDA targets across product sales, rentals, and lessons.
• Analyze KPIs at store and associate level; develop action plans, set clear expectations for individual contributors, and hold teams accountable.
• Ensure execution of promotions, seasonal campaigns, and upsell initiatives.

Talent Leadership

• Directly manage part-time and full-time retail associates and teachers across multiple stores.
• Recruit, hire, onboard and train strong talent.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management.
• Foster an inclusive, engaged, performance-driven culture aligned with Music & Arts values.

Operational Execution

• Ensure rental season readiness across all assigned stores.
• Drive compliance, task completion, and execution to operational and merchandising standards.
• Ensure adoption of enterprise tools and systems to improve store efficiency and reporting.
• Maintain physical store standards, facilities, and safety compliance.

Customer & Educator Experience

• Champion a customer- and educator-first culture across stores.
• Ensure stores deliver seamless experiences for rentals, lessons, and product purchases.
• Coach associates to improve customer experience and handle escalations from the team to resolve issues directly and quickly.
• Partner with local Ed Reps to improve Educator relationships and improve rental experience.

Music & Arts embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.

The first Music & Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by founder Benjamin O'Brien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in 1952, we offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers -- a decision that remains intact to this day.

Since the 1990's, Music & Arts has expanded nationwide through organic growth and a series of acquisitions and mergers with other music dealers. In 2005, Music & Arts joined forces with American Music to become the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer in the United States. Based in Frederick, MD, Music & Arts is now part of the Guitar Center enterprise and comprises 225+ retail stores, 200+ educational representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• 3+ years of retail store leadership or equivalent experience.
• Proven success managing P&L and delivering strong sales performance.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, coach, and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong operational execution and organizational skills.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator across field and corporate teams.
• Ability to travel regularly between assigned stores (50–70%).
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Why Music & Arts? Here's just some of the rewards:

For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave--take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Music & Arts offers robust benefits and perks for full time employees including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options.

Music & Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐ related requirements.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@guitarcenter.com.