Online Bookseller – Waterstones

Job Description

Bring brilliant books to life online as an Online Bookseller with Waterstones in London. You’ll curate and merchandise titles on Waterstones.com, write sharp, engaging copy and use your bookseller knowledge to help customers discover their next favourite read from home.

Role Overview

Based in the Piccadilly head office three days a week (with two days from home), you’ll be a core member of the digital team. You’ll manage site merchandising, support CRM and email campaigns, collaborate with shops and departments across the business, and champion books and authors that matter.

Key Responsibilities

• Curate and manage merchandised book selections across key pages and campaigns on the website
• Write impactful short-form copy for product pages, collections, emails and promotions
• Liaise with shop booksellers to bring store expertise and recommendations online
• Work closely with Customer Service to resolve queries and maintain exceptional service standards
• Identify and champion important, emerging and future-bestselling titles, spotting trends early
• Develop and deliver email campaigns, both single- and multi-channel, in line with trading priorities
• Manage CMS content, working with front-end development and design to refine layouts and best practice
• Oversee “Back to University” ranges, custom bundles, and signed/limited editions
• Collaborate with specialist teams (Corporate, Professional, Institutional, Rare & Mapping) on integrated offers
• Work with CRM and acquisition teams to construct and deliver the online marketing plan
• Monitor and report on performance of promotions and campaigns, optimising based on data
• Ensure brand guidelines are followed across all online content and visual merchandising

Skills and Experience

• Outstanding book knowledge and genuine, infectious enthusiasm for reading
• Excellent written and spoken English with proven short-copy writing skills
• Experience working with social media and digital audiences
• Strong customer-service orientation, ideally with face-to-face bookselling experience
• Good “eye” for design and detail, able to brief creatives and give clear feedback
• Confident working with CMS platforms and collaborating with software engineers
• Numerate, comfortable using Excel and basic modelling to measure performance
• Understanding of publishers, the book supply chain and key trading rhythms
• Photography/videography skills and happy to appear on camera as well as shoot content

Personal Profile

• Able to communicate confidently at senior level and within the immediate team
• Supportive of colleagues, collaborative and open to feedback
• Self-starter who can work independently and manage competing priorities
• Comfortable working virtually via email, Slack and Teams
• Brings a sense of humour and enjoyment to a busy, creative environment

Job Data

• Position: Online Bookseller
• Company: Waterstones
• Location: Piccadilly, London (hybrid – 3 days office / 2 days home)
• Contract: Full-time, permanent
• Salary: Approximately £26,000 per year (estimated, dependent on experience)

Waterstones is the leading high-street bookseller in the UK and Ireland, with over 300 shops and a thriving online presence. Its booksellers champion reading culture, curate selections for communities, and keep the joy of physical books alive for every generation.