- Job title: Shop Assistant (Part-Time, 12-15 hours per week, flexible hours in short shifts)
- Contract: Casual Worker
- Reports to: Store Manager
- Department: Brand Team
- Salary: £15ph
The School Of Life
We are a passionate group of people on a mission to bring about healing, growth, calm and self-understanding. We derive our ideas from psychology, psychotherapy, philosophy, art and culture. As our name, The School of Life, suggests, we are here to teach people how life can be lived and what can make it truly worthwhile, effective and fulfilling. We do this via our articles, books, app, films, therapeutic services and corporate offering.
About the role and opportunity
Our new space in Central London is a shop unlike any other we run: part bookshop, part Conversation Café, part cultural venue, built on the idea that two strangers can sit down and talk honestly about the things that matter. As Shop Assistant, you’ll be the person on the floor during our busiest hours – welcoming visitors in, knowing the range inside out, and hosting the daily rhythm of conversations, browsing and small events that make the space work. It’s a part-time role for someone who loves books and ideas as much as people.
Key Responsibilities
Customer & Visitor Experience
- ● Welcome visitors from Google and the wider public, and introduce them to the concept behind the space
- ● Support customers on the shop floor
- ● Facilitate the Conversation Café, inviting visitors to take a seat, explaining the format (an eight-minute conversation, timed by the hourglass), and keeping the space calm and unhurried
- ● Offer strong product knowledge and demonstrate The School of Life range
- ● Recommend books, conversation cards and other products based on what a visitor is looking for
- ● Process sales transactions accurately and handle customer queries
Shop Presentation & Stock
- ● Maintain shop floor standards, replenishing displays and keeping shelving, lighting and presentation to TSOL’s visual guidelines
- ● Support stock replenishment, unpack deliveries, and keep stock tidy and well-presented
- ● Flag low stock or damaged items to the Store Manager or Supervisor
Events & Programming Support
- ● Help set up and pack down for evening seminars, themed weeks and pop-up talks
- ● Welcome guests to small group discussions and other micro-events
Team Support & Brand
- ● Assist the Manager or Supervisor with any operational tasks as directed
- ● Represent TSOL’s tone and values in every interaction — warm and thoughtful, never salesy
- ● Build relationships with regular visitors who return to the space
- ● Feedback customer conversations and observations to the wider Brand team
Candidate Profile
Essentials
- ● A genuine interest in, or education in, philosophy, psychotherapy or a related field
- ● An interest in art, history and culture
- ● Comfortable initiating and holding conversations with customers and confidently talking through the product range
- ● Some experience in a customer-facing, retail or hospitality role
- ● Confident with basic till/POS systems, or a fast learner
Nice to have
- ● Experience working in an independent bookshop, gallery or cultural venue
- ● An existing familiarity with The School of Life’s books, courses or content
- ● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- ● A willingness to learn, evolve and adapt
- ● Outgoing and driven work ethic with ability to work both independently and as part of a team
The School of Life is committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy please reach out to the account manager Lara
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