Book People

General Manager – BookPeople

BookPeople is one of the preeminent independent bookstores in the country, located in Austin, Texas. Our slogan is “a community bound by books”! We pride ourselves in expressing our individuality and diversity through staff curation and impeccable customer interaction. Our diversity is demonstrated not only by our voices in the store but by the books on our shelves. Our number one asset is our employees, whose knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise are invaluable. We are known both for our ability to help Austin readers find what they want to read now as well as for helping them identify what they want to read next.

Job Overview

The General Manager reports to the Board of Directors through the Chair and is responsible for the smooth day‑to‑day operation of the 28,000 square foot retail bookstore location with an average staff of 80 employees, including buyers, merchandisers, floor managers, a marketing team, an accounting team, and an extensive team of booksellers. Operations also include an onsite café as well as the project management of some large off‑site events. The General Manager collaborates with the senior employees on the Leadership team to establish the future strategy for the organization. The GM supervises the leaders of different departments and their business models while also managing partnerships with the Texas Book Festival, SXSW and events in other states. They are also responsible for communicating with the union president on behalf of the organization.

Direct Supervisory Responsibilities

• Operations Director
• Bookkeeper and Employee Benefits Manager
• Events and Marketing Director

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Board of Directors to meet the relevant needs of all stakeholders: customers, employees, owners, community, vendors and the government.
• Support the leaders of the different departments, and their respective business models, in their efforts to grow their departments and develop sales strategies with a mind towards ensuring profitability.
• Assist department leaders in developing Key Points Indicators to measure the health of their departments.
• Operational responsibilities include:

• Creating and adhering to sales, payroll, and operational budgets.
• Overseeing purchasing, inventory management, IT, events, and customer service.
• Maintaining a leadership team dedicated to working towards agreed upon, stated objectives.
• Assisting with facility management and planning for capital spending as necessary (maintenance, repairs, lease terms, etc.).
• Maintaining up to date operational procedures, policies, and standards, in conjunction with the Leadership Team.
• Overseeing human resources and developing employee salary structures, bonus incentive programs, and performance reviews for staff, in conjunction with the Leadership Team.
• Overseeing accounts payable and receivable.
• Authorizing/obtaining authorization for and signing all contracts.

• Additional responsibilities in conjunction with the Board of Directors include:
• Working with the in‑house bookkeeper and external CPAs to complete monthly and annual financial reporting, tax reporting, and management of sales and property taxes.
• Managing cash flow and allocating funds to company priorities.

• Serving as primary contact for partners in large‑scale offsite bookselling events like Texas Book Festival, SXSW, and multi‑state women’s conferences.
• Serving as a project manager for long‑term projects (i.e., software transitions, inventory, etc.) to ensure the work is completed in a timely manner.
• Maintaining strong relationships with industry and community stakeholders.
• Serving as, or designating, a primary contact for all outside communications and the media.
• Assisting in the cultivation of partnerships with businesses/organizations in support of company goals.
• Serving as, or designating, a representative at trade organizations.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of five years’ experience in bookstore management, with preference given to whole organization management.
• Experience with production of large offsite, multi‑author events.
• Up to date on the latest trends and challenges in independent bookselling and brick & mortar retailing.
• Experience/knowledge of Accrual Accounting Method.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks as well as large cross‑departmental projects.
• Ability to react under pressure, use good judgment in ambiguous situations, and be flexible/adaptable.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work at a computer for most of the day.
• Ability to stand and/or move constantly during a shift.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: This is a salaried exempt position; starting salary is negotiable.

Schedule Requirements: This is a full‑time position, with a minimum of 40 hrs per week. Must be able to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.

• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life/AD&D coverage options for you and eligible dependents after 90 day probationary period.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal, holiday and birthday benefits.
• Company issued laptop and credit card (for business related expenses).
• FREE garage parking in downtown Austin.
• Access to lots of ARCs (advanced reader copies).
• Employee discounts on books, gifts and coffee.
• Access to book platforms accessible only to indie bookstores, publishers and the like.

EEO Statement

BookPeople Inc. is an equal opportunity work environment and is considered an affirmative action employer. We are committed to hiring, promoting, and providing continual equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to gmsearch@bookpeople.com.