Charter Books

Charter Books (Newport, RI) seeking Events & Marketing Coordinator:

The primary focus of this position is to assist the Owner / General Manager and Store Manager in developing comprehensive and consistent social media and marketing strategies toward the ongoing promotion of Charter Books’ events, brand, and bookstore offerings. The Events & Marketing Coordinator will also serve as a Frontline Bookseller whose focus is to provide frontline service for all customers in the store, over the phone, or online. It is essential that this individual continually works to engage customers and ensure that we provide the highest quality customer service. This individual will also be responsible for processing sales and transactions. This position reports to the Store Manager.

We look for applicants with a true passion for independent bookstores and a strong desire to learn about the book business. Although retail, library, or bookselling experience is a plus, none is required. The position would likely be part-time at first with opportunities for full-time work as we head into the summer season. The ideal candidate is highly motivated, driven to offer excellent customer service, and dedicated to improvement.

Essential Functions:

• Develop comprehensive and unique content vision and plan, with added emphasis on new events programming, subscription services, and book clubs.
• Communicate proactively and constructively with publishers, vendors, and partner organizations on key aspects of pre-event marketing to ensure successful attendance and sales at in-person events.
• Implement event planning strategies as outlined by Owner / General Manager and Store Manager
• Maintain consistent scheduling for social media posts (including but not limited to Instagram and Facebook).
• Increase overall social media engagement, especially through Instagram and Facebook.
• Curate content specific to each channel and its algorithms, demographics, and utility.
• Reliably convert marketing engagement into web sales.
• Uphold highest customer service expectations
• Manage and execute any marketing or customer service strategies as they evolve
• Assist customers on the sales floors
• Process sales and transactions with efficiency and accuracy
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Requirements / Qualifications:

• Demonstrated retail experience
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Love of working with customers in a retail environment
• Basic business computer literacy; ability to train on bookstore inventory and POS software, including processing of web orders and vendor or customer inquiries
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining a strong attention to detail
• Extraordinarily passionate love of books and reading
• Physical requirements
  • Must be able to lift 50lbs. and stand for extended periods of time
  • Must be comfortable ascending and descending stairs repeatedly during a shift

Additional Expectations

• This position will involve working many evenings and weekends per month, including Monday holidays
• Vacation requests require two weeks prior notice

Founded in 2020, Charter Books is a Newport-based business whose mission is to cultivate community and a robust local culture through a broad selection of books, programming, and the free exchange of ideas. We’re committed to exceptional customer service and the values of inclusion, diversity, and independence.

Our mission is to:

1. Provide access to a lively literary culture and ideas through a broad selection of books.
2. Celebrate the free and democratic exchange of ideas.
3. Create a vibrant and inclusive public space for events and discussion.
4. Cater to a diverse population and ensuring access to the above for all.