Left Bank Books has an immediate opening for the position of Events Coordinator (full-time). Since 1969, nationally recognized independent bookstore Left Bank Books has become a major destination for author events in the Midwest and across the nation, and is proud to host one of the country's largest and most dynamic reading series. 

This position would be responsible for overseeing 150-200 author events per year, both as a bookseller partner to outside organizations (~75 per year) and under the Left Bank name (~125) per year), in the store and at off-site venues throughout the great St. Louis region. Participating authors will include everything from our beloved local writers to major international dignitaries and celebrities. The events coordinator reports directly to the store owner & general manager regarding which events we are able to host and under what circumstances. 

Central duties include: 

  • Working closely with the store owners/management, children’s department coordinator, publishers, authors, community partners, and off-site venue contacts
  • Writing persuasive author event proposals and working closely with publishers and authors to book events
  • Planning and carefully managing event logistics, including :
    • Verifying the details of events within our internal calendar for use in book purchasing and the execution of scheduled events
    • Responding to event requests coming directly from authors (local and national)
    • Recording pertinent information, pre- and post-event, in internal tracking documents
    • Tracking events sales and assessing the profit and loss of the events program on an ongoing basis and via year end reporting
    • Acting as event host and point person at Left Bank events (especially large-scale ticketed events) and managing fellow staff responsibilities, which can include author care, writing and delivering author introductions, overseeing event
    • Supervising/setting up RSVPs, ticketing sales, and procedures
    • Facilitating day-of run-of-show meetings for ticketed events
    • Working closely with the Left Bank Books publicity and marketing team to publicize events and communicate with attendees, including in-store and external advertising of events
    • Identify and reach out to key target organizations and individuals
    • Assisting with the facilitation of the livestreaming of in-store events and select virtual events, including virtual event setup
  • Advocating for the importance of bookstore-hosted events with publishers, authors and in the larger community at available opportunities (e.g., national/regional bookselling conferences)
    • Follow up with publishers, authors and others to deepen relationships and suggest future collaborations, including institutional sales
  • Assistance in planning occasional online pre-order campaigns, in conjunction with shipping, marketing, management
  • Assistance in training new hires on event duties and best practices
  • Assistance in planning occasional special events, including Independent Bookstore Day (annually), Small Business Saturday (annually), the twice-annual Friends of Left Bank sales, and other creative one-time partnerships
  • Determining featured events, both for promotion on our website and presentation to Left Bank staff at monthly staff meetings 

All positions at Left  Bank Books require some phone and front desk bookselling, for which all new staff can expect to be trained. 

Desired skills and qualifications: 

  • A high level of organization, especially when managing calendars, high volumes of email, and time-sensitive tasks
  • A high level of written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills
  • A high level of ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage your time
  • A high level of ability to collaborate with others
  • Fluency in MS Office/Google Suite required
    • Fluency in MS Excel/Google Sheets and some basic accounting principles preferred
  • Availability and willingness to work a mix of days, nights and weekends
  • 1-3 years of events/programming, and/or project management experience, ideally in an independent, supervisory role are preferred
  • 1-3 years of bookselling experience is ideal
  • Access to a car is necessary
  • Ability to lift and carry boxes of up to 40 lbs.  

Pay is consistent with our industry and includes: 

  • Prepaid health insurance
  • Participation in the Left Bank Books retirement program after one year
  • Generous PTO package
  • Monthly/anniversary staff book credit, and staff discounts on new/used books 

Other: 

Apply through the online form.