Bookshop Manager, Palo Alto

Hauser & Wirth is one of the world’s leading commercial galleries for Modern and Contemporary art with locations across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia. Publishing has been a cornerstone of Hauser & Wirth’s activity since the gallery’s founding in 1992. From publishing artists’ writings and exceptional exhibition-related books to commissioning new scholarship and pursuing the highest levels of craft in design and bookmaking, Hauser & Wirth Publishers creates vital, lasting records of artists’ work and ideas, forging critical gateways to the cultural discourse they inspire.

Job description:

Hauser & Wirth Publishers is looking for a Bookshop Manager, responsible for planning and managing all day-to-day operations of our bookshop in Palo Alto. The ideal candidate will be a highly collaborative, creative team player able to take initiative and work collaboratively alongside our Sales, Marketing, Events, and Learning teams to create an inspiring bookshop environment reflective of Hauser & Wirth’s missions.

Responsibilities:

• Regularly meet with local publisher sales reps, reviewing publisher catalogues and upcoming publications to ensure the bookshop and HW West Coast gallery spaces are stocked with relevant titles of interest.
• Develop network to build relationships and the profile of the Palo Alto book shop in the local community and with relevant groups, building effective and engaging activities to attract internal and external voices alongside the local community.
• Collaborate with the Learning Department, to ensure the Learning Program is embedded into bookshop activities.
• Work on collaborations and events that recognize and emphasize books as a tool to connect visitors with Hauser & Wirth’s principles and values alongside our Director of Public Programs, the local gallery team onsite, and MarComms dept.
• Develop and implement a commercial shop concept working closely with Associate Director, Sales & Distribution.
• Drive excellent customer service standards within the store, working closely with our Front Desk, and provide an exceptional customer experience to visitors.
• Actively engage customers with our publications and products, providing outstanding knowledge of the gallery’s program (including exhibition program at other locations).
• Responsible for local sales reporting and payment reconciliation; regular reporting, analytics and feedback as and when required.
• Maintain operational costs for Palo Alto bookshop within set budgets.
• Proactively maintain a consistently high standard of presentation within the store, including conceiving displays for books promotions.
• Together with our Bookshop Manager, HWNY 18th St, act as a key point of contact and knowledge for book ordering across HW US, advising archivists and ALs where needed on buying best practice.
• Responsible for overseeing store inventory.

Essential Requirements:

• Bookshop or book-buying experience, ideally within the arts.
• Strong working knowledge of computer and bookshop systems - POS, Shopify, MS Office
• Excellent customer service skills
• Highly collaborative, team player who can both lead others and take direction as required
• Passionate about art books with a strong knowledge of current and backlist illustrated titles.
• Excellent spoken and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail.
• Experience in event/workshop planning or coordination.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends and events.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs as part of regular job duties.

Salary Range: 65K- 70K