Ladybird Books

Job Title: General Manager
Location: Charleston, SC
Reports to: Owner
Type: Full-time

About the Role

We’re looking for a passionate, self-driven General Manager (GM) to join the Ladybird Books team. As GM, you’ll play a key role in shaping the store’s culture, customer experience, and overall success. You’ll lead by example, ensuring exceptional customer service, effective team management, and efficient store operations. From merchandising to marketing, you’ll guide a team dedicated to providing a unique and intentional book-browsing experience. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, inspire others with your positive energy, and have a strong passion for books and community, we’d love to meet you.

What You’ll Do

• Build personal connections with customers, fulfilling all day-to-day service needs, including gift wrapping, cash wrap, and answering phones.

• Hire, onboard, and train a diverse team of 9-15 booksellers, fostering growth and collaboration.

• Work closely with Assistant Managers to ensure clear roles and responsibilities.

• Create and manage team schedules, handling daily adjustments and staff call-outs.

• Oversee store opening and closing procedures, perform weekly bank deposits, and collaborate with the finance team to ensure accuracy.

• Keep the store organized--restock, straighten displays, and ensure backstock is properly organized and categorized.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: 5+ years of retail management and bookselling experience.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.

• Leadership: Strong communicator with excellent leadership and team-building skills. Compassionate and motivating, you know how to bring out the best in your team.

• Organizational Skills: Detail-oriented, with the ability to multitask in a dynamic environment.

• Problem-Solving: Creative, solution-oriented mindset with a keen eye for merchandising and aesthetics.

• Flexibility: Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.

• Tech Savvy: Computer and IT competency; experience with BookManager is a plus.

• Self-Starter: Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision. Highly motivated, adaptable, and patient.

About You

You’re the kind of leader who gets things done with efficiency and enthusiasm. You’re driven by the desire to create welcoming, inclusive spaces and elevate the customer experience. Organizational skills come naturally to you, and you thrive in environments where priorities shift quickly. Passionate about books and community, you excel in fast-paced settings and inspire your team to do their best work.

Why Ladybird Books?

• Be a Founding Team Member: Play a crucial role in building the culture of a business rooted in community and creativity.

• Collaborative Environment: Join a team that values creativity, teamwork, and continuous learning.

• Impactful Work: Champion underrepresented voices and causes in the literary world and beyond.

Hiring Process

• Initial interview with Head of Talent (virtual)

• Second interview with Owner (virtual)

• Third interview with Owner & Team (onsite)

• Reference Checks

• Offer! 

Benefits + Compensation

• Full benefits for you and your pet(s)!

• Employee discounts

• 401(k) + Scholarship Opportunities

• EAP + Teladoc + Mental Healthcare

• Salary range between 75-95K

At Ladybird Books, nestled in the heart of Charleston, we’re more than just a bookstore--we’re a community hub for connection, conversation, and change. With a thoughtfully curated collection that highlights diverse voices and sparks meaningful dialogue, we aim to inspire, challenge, and bring people together. Whether exploring fiction, memoir, identity, resilience, or poetry, our books create spaces for both reflection and action.