RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
The RIAS is looking for someone passionate about architecture and design to work in our specialist bookshop. The position is available on a flexible basis from 5 to 15hrs per week.
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) champions architecture and the built environment in Scotland. As the professional body for all chartered architects in Scotland, the RIAS supports its members and the wider built environment profession through a wide range of services and products including training and professional development, talks, events and publications. As a registered Scottish charity run by and for its members, the RIAS supports architects and students of architecture in all corners of Scotland, in partnership with its six regional chapters. The RIAS also promotes the importance of well-designed buildings and places to the public, clients, and local and national government: from the prestigious RIAS awards programme which celebrates the very best of architecture in Scotland, to design competitions which connect clients with established and emerging architectural talent.
The RIAS is looking for someone passionate about architecture and design to work in our specialist bookshop. The position is available on a flexible basis from 5 to 15hrs per week. You will be expected to engage with customers, to familiarise yourself with currently stocked or available publications, and be confident and able to assist potential customers.
It is important that you aim to ensure a positive customer experience. The RIAS bookshop plays a significant role in generating income and revenue. You will be responsible for daily operational tasks in the bookshop and supporting the Bookshop Manager in their role.
Working within the bookshop and across online channels, your insights and thoughts regarding changes and improvements to deliver growth would also be welcomed.
Benefits
Staff Pension Scheme with Royal London, 5% contributions by employer/employee, flexible working, Christmas, and New Year Closure.
Responsibilities
Retail Support
* Support the Bookshop Manager in the delivery of a design led retail strategy for the shop and online.
* Support the Bookshop Manager to ensure the team meets its sales targets.
* Carry out product research, observe dynamic consumer trends and understand key competitors within the market.
Daily Operation and Customer Service
* Process invoices and purchase orders in line with RIAS procedures
* Ensure visual merchandising standards are maintained to the highest standard.
* Create and maintain signage within the retail spaces.
* Ensure all retail spaces are kept clean, well-stocked and well-presented, providing visitors with an exceptional shopping environment and atmosphere.
* Take responsibility for operating retail software, cashing handling, retail processes, gift wrapping and mailing services.
* Handle customer enquiries and complaints in a timely and professional manner, both in person and via other communication channels.
* Ensure all orders from the ecommerce platform are processed in a timely order and fulfilled to the highest standard of customer service.
Relationship with the rest of RIAS
* Establish and maintain a good relationship with the Finance and Operations team at the RIAS.
* Support the Bookshop Manager in submitting monthly/quarterly sales reports.
* Work closely with the Outreach Co-ordinator on Bookshop events.
Communication
* Support the preparation of all elements required to actively promote the shop, products, authors and stakeholders across a variety of communication channels (text, pictures, editorial photos for press, website and social media, POS) to be shared with the Head of Outreach.
* Maintain excellent working relationships and open communication with external suppliers.
* Support the Bookshop Manager in ordering and receiving contracts from the Scottish Building Contracts Committee (SBCC), ensuring the correct amendment sheets are printed and included before they are available to sell.
Stock control, analysis, and actions
* Support the Bookshop Manager with retail stock control, including ensuring that adequate stock levels are maintained and regular stock takes are undertaken.
* Ensure all stock is correctly priced and coded and entered correctly on the till system.
* Supervise deliveries, ensuring stock is received undamaged, safely and neatly stored in the stockroom as necessary and all relevant paperwork is processed accurately and without delay.
Finance, administration, and process
* Maintain the accuracy of the electronic records by ensuring the stock is correctly keyed at point of sale and any customer returns, write-offs, markdowns, price changes and supplier stock returns are administered according to organisational guidelines.
* Support the production of financial and other reports as required by the Finance and Operations Department.
* Effectively manage the processing of refunds/exchanges ensuring all procedures are adhered to correctly.
* Ensure that RIAS financial and cash handling procedures are maintained in relation to audit and security requirements, always showing exceptional attention to detail.
* Assist with the annual stock take, including the completion of physical counts plus follow up investigations and inventory adjustments as required.
* Ensure all products and point of sale are displayed in both the physical and online shop in a lawful manner adhering to any regulatory requirements and trading standards.
General Operational Duties
* Be well presented, welcoming, friendly and pro-active in your duties.
* Carry out general reception duties, welcoming and signing all visitors into the building, passing messages to departments and/or specific team members.
* Work independently to meet deadlines.
* Consistently look for ways to improve our service and actively feedback constructive ideas.
* Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/ dignity and actively contribute to developments that support the Bookshop’s strategy for widening access, inclusion, and diversity.
* Undertake any other duties as requested by the Bookshop Manager.
Person Specification
This post requires an organized and enthusiastic individual with some retail experience and an interest in architecture and design, or the built environment.
* Proven experience in a retail role.
* Excellent IT skills including MS Office, web-based databases, retail till software and social media.
* Strong organizational, communication and administrative abilities.
* The ability to act with tact and diplomacy with individuals from a variety of situations and backgrounds.
* Flexible approach to the job.
* Excellent standards of customer service.
* An interest in architecture and design.
* Willingness to learn and keep up to date with the specialist ranges of products stocked in the Bookshop.
* Knowledge of First Aid (HSE) or First Response.
* A knowledge of architecture, design or the built environment.
Equality & Diversity
The RIASis committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.
Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for our members and employees to feel respected, included, and able to give their best and thrive.
To apply for this position please send your CV and a covering statement (no more than two sides of A4) demonstrating your experience in relation to the job description and required competencies to recruitment@rias.org.uk or by post to RIAS, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Applications will be shortlisted and those selected, invited to interview. Both the application with supporting statement and interview will contribute towards the assessment and final appointment.
Deadline: The deadline for applications Sunday 19th May 2024. Interviews will be held in early June.
£11.76 per hour
Permanent
Part -Time 5 -15 hours per week
Advert posted
11 April 2024
19 May 2024
Practice
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
15 Rutland Square
EDINBURGH EH2 1BE
United Kingdom
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
t: +44 0 131 229 7545 e: info@rias.org.uk
RIAS Offices are open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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