About the Eames Institute & William Stout Architectural Books

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world.

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses’ philosophy and invite people to explore their own curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

William Stout Architectural Books is a San Francisco landmark and institution that is loved around the world. Now owned and operated by the Eames Institute, it is our mission to maintain the high standards of selection and bookselling established by architect Bill Stout, in 1974, and keep the shop’s legacy moving forward. We believe the contribution of your experience, enthusiasm, and point of view will add exciting new chapters to this legacy, and we look forward to supporting your efforts to learn, grow, and make new connections as we work together, building the next 50 years of this important bookstore.

About the Role

The Bookseller provides a welcoming and warm reception to store customers and is responsible for providing an exceptional level of customer service and promoting sales in store and online. The Bookseller engages with each customer individually and provides accurate and insightful assistance to customers based on the bookseller’s broad knowledge of the books carried at William Stout Architectural Books (Stout Books) and the location of books and products in the store. A Bookseller has a functional understanding of Architecture, Architects, and design culture. The Bookseller will assist with tasks such as engaging with social media, entering stock into the inventory system, sending out communications, and monitoring the customer service inboxes. They will work with other employees to fulfill orders, turn over displays, and keep the shop stocked, tidy, and organized on the sales floor and in the storage areas.

In this role, you will…

Customer Service and Sales

Greet and assist visitors with a friendly and courteous manner.
Actively approach and advise customers to make sales and create a welcoming environment.
Provide accurate and clear information on merchandise, events, and the story of Stout Books.
Complete financial transactions including sales, returns, credits, and applicable discounts efficiently and accurately.
Provide wrapping service.
Provide customer service via phone and email.

Store Operations and Maintenance

Tidy books throughout the day and keep the store and storage areas organized and clean.
Ensure that displays are fresh and well composed.
Complete opening and closing procedures.

Inventory and Fulfillment

Update Shopify inventory with new stock.
Track order fulfillment to ensure timely delivery or communication.
Fulfill standing orders.

The ideal candidate has:

Required skills, abilities, competencies

Selling skills. Ability to share enthusiasm for merchandise and store.
Interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate problems and ensure constructive problem resolution.
Exhibit initiative, sound judgment, and a positive attitude. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to process sales transactions, work with a POS system, and a basic understanding of retail inventory and accounting (particularly Shopify) preferred.
Accurate work and attention to detail.
Demonstrated punctuality and dependability.
Interest in and commitment to Architecture culture and the spirit and legacy of Stout Books.
Computer literate and internet savvy. Experience with word processors, spreadsheets, Shopify, and the Google Suite preferred.
Flexible schedule. Able to work evening and weekend events.

Education and Experience

Education in architecture or design practice or history, or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
1-2 years of retail experience.

Physical Requirements

Standing for long periods of time
Lifting up to 40 pounds
Bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing a ladder
Maintaining a professional and engaging demeanor and appearance

Other duties

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Work hours, working styles, and additional benefits

This position is expected to be primarily onsite at the San Francisco bookstore, working approximately 40 hours a week, with occasional evenings and weekends per event schedule.

What we offer

The Eames Institute offers a competitive benefits package, including…

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, for which the organization covers 99% of the cost for employees and 75% of the cost for dependents
Base Salary: $26/ hour
401k employer match up to 6%, commuting benefits, and parental leave.
Wellness benefit of $600 per year to spend on anything that contributes to your mental and physical wellness.
Professional development benefit up to $600 per year to support your continued learning and career development.
$500 match for charitable giving, for every year of service up to five years.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued and able to contribute at the highest level. If you’re excited by this role but your professional experience doesn’t perfectly align with the qualifications listed, we still encourage you to apply.

Bookseller