2027 Merch/Retail Associate

About Us:

Journey Dance Competition takes pride in producing the industry's best dance competitions. We deliver exciting, world-class live events in a high-energy, feel-good atmosphere. Our team is made up of the friendliest and most dedicated professionals, who are driven by passion and have made the commitment to serve. Thanks to their extensive training, attention to detail, and our seamless, on-time events, we consistently surpass expectations, ensuring that each event leaves a lasting impression and creates unforgettable memories. Come work alongside a fired-up, passionate, and fun team that’s driven to do great work.

Our mission is to deliver the best dance competition experience, honoring every guest with care and detail—because everyone deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

What We Give Back

• Paid training, paid travel, double-occupancy lodging, and event meals
• Professional and self development — confidence, leadership, adaptability, communication, and real-world experience you'll carry for the rest of your career. 
• A team culture worth showing up for — passionate team members who care as much as you do, and friendships that outlast the season.
• Industry connections — dance educators, choreographers, studio owners, and professionals from across the country
• Hands-on experience in live events, production, hospitality, customer service, and operations
• Room to grow — more responsibility, new skills, and a real path into leadership. A lot of our leads started exactly where you're about to.

About The Role

As one of Journey's front-of-house representatives, we are looking for Merch/Retail Associates with welcoming energy to help set the tone for the entire day! These team members are the first to meet and greet our guests and the last to wave good-bye. Merch/Retail Associates are responsible for the organization, presentation, and promotion of Journey merchandise. This requires an eye for detail and a dedication to maintaining Journey’s brand standards. This team member is required to handle all monetary transactions as well as report inventory for each event. This role requires standing for long periods of time. One member of the Merch/Retail Team will be responsible for picking team member meals and set up and maintenance of the Team Room and Teacher Lounge. The Merch/Retail Associate must be ready to provide excellent customer care by maintaining a friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic attitude throughout the entire event. If you love to talk and interact with new people and your bubbly energy is contagious, this is the role for you!

What a Weekend Actually Looks Like:

• Thursday — travel to the event city from your designated meeting point or airport
• Friday–Sunday — load in, early call times, long days, back-to-back sessions, awards ceremonies, load out
• Monday — travel home

What You Need to Know:

1. Seasonal employment with Journey Dance Competition Tour, January - July
2. Must be available for Mandatory Team Training; Virtual - December 11-13th, 2026; In Person - Jan. 8-10, 2027
3. Must be willing to travel by road or air
4. Must be 18 or older
5. Must be available from Thursday to Monday for travel
6. Travel from a specified meeting point or airport will be required
7. Minimum commitment 6 events or more
8. Paid training, travel, double occupancy lodging, and event meals
9. Ability to drive is a plus
10. Official government ID required
11. Background check required

What Winning Looks Like:

• Load in and load out production equipment, as well as set up, organize, and breakdown your respective station
• Greet all guests that enter the Journey doors
• Organize and display merchandise within Journey brand guidelines
• Maintain a tidy workstation that’s welcoming and appealing
• Know the Journey products and pricing
• Promote Journey merchandise by sharing information about the quality and affordability of our products
• Count and report inventory, stock, rotate, and replenish the merchandise
• Operate the cash register and ensure proper handling of cash, checks, and credit cards
• Prepare simple daily reports
• Safeguard merchandise and cash
• Maintain a presentable and tidy staff break room and Teacher Lounge
• Follow up with restaurants for staff meal orders, receiving and arranging meals throughout the day
• Know general information about Journey and the venue to answer any questions from guests
• Attend to all other duties assigned by the Event Director(s) as needed

Skills Needed to Win:

• Warm, friendly and enthusiastic personality
• Unmatched attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work well under pressure during high volume times
• Ability to take initiative without direction
• Great communication with guests and with the Event Director
• Retail experience a plus but not required
• Knowledge of the dance world is beneficial
• Capable of lifting a min 30 lbs to 50 lbs without assistance

Who Thrives Here

Humble. You do the unglamorous work without being asked and without needing credit. You take feedback as a gift, not defensive. There's no job on site that's beneath you.

Hungry. You see the problem before it lands. You move with urgency. You'd rather be trusted with more than coast through less. You're the one asking "what else can I grab?"

Smart with people. You read a room. You can talk to a shy 7-year-old, a stressed studio director, and a teammate running on four hours of sleep — and leave all three better than you found them.

Be Part of the Team:

The job isn’t always easy, but that’s what makes it rewarding. You’ll be challenged, trusted, and pushed to grow while working alongside a team that cares deeply about what we do and the people we do it for. Bring your energy, your work ethic, and your heart. We’ll take care of the rest. 

It's a passion, and we're dedicated to making an impact in the dance world. Join Team Journey! 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Journey Dance Competition is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace that is free from discrimination of any kind. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

What does all of this mean? We hire the best person for the job—regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, etc.

Click here to learn more about equal employment opportunity.