Merchandise Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

At Diventures - where safety is our number one priority and fun is our number one goal - we use our passion, and the power of water, to impact lives, change the world, and have fun doing it. The area director contributes to the success of Diventures by leading a multi-unit team consisting of store management, full-time, part-time and contracted team members, to build positive experiences and lasting relationships with our customers through high-touch, high-communication, personalized customer service experiences in the Diventures locations in their market.

The area director works closely with our customers, Diventures Store Support, team members, and dive professionals to maximize both customer experience and the business results of our stores in their market, with the sales of swimming lessons and aquatics programming as well as scuba instruction, equipment, and travel programs. Delivering on our brand promise, the area director acts with an owner/operator mentality to ensure that our people, programs, and facilities provide a safe, positive, engaging, and exciting store environment and experience.

Responsible for the total performance of all stores in their market, the area director works as a servant leader for their store management team to optimize the income and profit generation of their business units through exceptional internal customer service, leadership team selection, training, development, and coaching. As the leader of both their home store, and the other stores in their market, the area director builds sustainable growth through individual and team development and effective succession planning.

In addition to direct customer service, the area director and their leadership team is responsible for ensuring safe operation, effective class scheduling and execution, efficient lead generation and conversion, equipment sales, instructor scheduling, product merchandising, inventory management, scuba equipment service and the rental programs of their home store and the others in their market.

The area director also works closely with the enterprise Store Support team to proactively develop new leaders and swim and dive professionals and ensures effective succession planning and program growth. A certified pool operator, and certified diver (after completion of provided training) the area manager keeps up to date with and maintains all industry safety and training standards for all pool and offsite diving operations in their market.

To be successful in their role, the area director must effectively lead their store teams in driving the acquisition, conversion, and retention of swim, scuba and travel customers while operating safe, clean, and well‑merchandised retail training centers. The area director also collaborates continuously with the Swim and Scuba Program Directors, Merchant Director, Travel Director, and other members of the Store Support team in the effective planning, development, and execution of all aspects of the swim, scuba, retail, and travel experience in their market.

• Customer-First Mindset
• Servant Leader
• Sense of Urgency
• Initiative
• Engaging
• Clear Communicator
• Tenacity
• Effective Time Manager
• Positive and Professional Image
• Business Acumen
• Positive Mindset
• Command
• Collaboration
• Problem Solver

• Demonstrable relevant multi-unit experience in the successful leading of customer-focused teams: prospecting, recruiting, interviewing, selection, training, performance coaching, performance management, succession planning and separation.
• Extensive track record of effective succession planning and team development on a multi-unit scale.
• Successful sales leadership experience across varied media: in-person, over the phone, and in writing (email, letters, etc.)
• Experience in efficient resource and financial management: revenue, margin, payroll, expenses.
• Scuba, Aquatics, Certified Pool Operators, lifeguard, and/or dive professional experience or a strong desire to learn those competencies.