General Manager

General Manager The General Manager provides strategic leadership for a high-volume campus store or complex retail operation, creating exceptional retail experiences that strengthen the campus community. By developing leaders, driving business performance, and fostering lasting partnerships, our General Managers help elevate lives through education.

Education – It’s in Our DNABarnes & Noble College is more than a campus bookstore—we're an integral part of the college experience. Our campus stores serve as vibrant hubs of college life and learning, creating retail and learning experiences that engage students, support faculty, and build alumni loyalty. Together, our teams help elevate lives through education.

The General Manager is the senior retail leader responsible for the overall success of a high-volume campus store, multi-store operation, or other complex retail environment. This role provides strategic leadership across all aspects of the business, including financial performance, operations, merchandising, talent development, customer experience, and campus partnerships. The General Manager develops high-performing leaders, builds strong relationships across the campus community, and creates an engaging retail environment that supports the campus experience while delivering sustainable business results.

How You'll Make an Impact Lead the overall success of a high-volume campus store, multiple store locations, or a complex retail operation by driving financial performance, operational excellence, and an exceptional customer experience.

Develop and execute business strategies that increase sales, improve profitability, strengthen customer engagement, and support long-term business growth.

Build and maintain strong relationships with campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate partners to strengthen the store's presence within the campus community.

Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing managers and store teams through effective hiring, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.

Analyze financial performance, sales trends, labor, inventory, and operational metrics to identify opportunities, make data-driven decisions, and drive continuous improvement.

Champion operational excellence by ensuring consistent execution of merchandising standards, inventory management, visual presentation, customer service, and company initiatives.

Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth while creating an engaging environment for both customers and employees.

Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, loss prevention practices, and all applicable employment laws and regulations while protecting company assets.

What You'll Need to Succeed Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field preferred.
7+ years of progressive retail leadership experience managing high-volume, multi-unit, or complex retail operations, or successful completion of the Barnes & Noble College Best Seller Program.

Demonstrated success developing high-performing leaders and building engaged, customer-focused teams.

Strong business acumen with experience managing sales, payroll, expenses, inventory, and overall financial performance.

Proven ability to analyze business metrics, identify opportunities, and implement strategies that drive operational excellence and profitable growth.

Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

Strong decision-making, organizational, and problem-solving abilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced retail environment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and retail business systems.

Ability to work a…