Retail Assistant (3 Posts)

Location: Weston & Old Quad Shops, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

About the role

The Retail Operations department generates income for the Bodleian Libraries through its on-site shops, online store and wholesale business. Bodleian Retail is in an exciting period of growth and development, and we are seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to join our friendly retail team.

You will deliver a world-class experience for visitors by providing excellent customer service, using product knowledge to inspire customers and maximise sales. You will act as an ambassador for the Bodleian Libraries, creating a welcoming environment for visitors from a wide range of backgrounds. You will follow operating procedures and cash handling regulations to ensure shop security, support stock movements and replenishment, receive deliveries, and assist with preparing and dispatching online orders. Routine housekeeping duties will ensure the shop is presented to a high standard and ready for trading.

This is a permanent post, with three part-time vacancies available:

• Post 1: 15 hours per week (0.41 FTE) worked across Thursday, Friday and Saturday
• Post 2: 17 hours per week (0.47 FTE) worked across Monday, Thursday and Saturday
• Post 3: 28 hours per week (0.77 FTE) worked across Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Please tick your preferred working hours on the first page of the Supporting Evidence Form.

About You

You will have experience in a visitor-facing or retail environment and enjoy working as part of a team in a busy setting. You will be confident, approachable and committed to delivering excellent customer service, taking pride in creating positive experiences for all visitors. You will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, a proactive approach to resolving problems, and good attention to detail, particularly in relation to safety, security and operational standards. You will be willing to learn and develop your knowledge of the Bodleian Libraries and the University of Oxford to support the delivery of a consistently high-quality visitor experience.

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave. 

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a Supporting Evidence Form as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. CVs alone will not be considered. 

The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Beata Kruszelnicka, Retail Manager, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (beata.kruszelnicka@bodleian.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 23 February 2026 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place on 6 and 12 March 2026.

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