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The  Barefoot Bookseller Job Role 

Barefoot Bookseller Role

APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR BAREFOOT BOOKSELLER 2022

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Ultimate Library in partnership with Soneva Fushi, a 5-star luxury resort in the Baa Atoll, opened the first Pop-Up Bookshop in the Maldives in 2018 to worldwide acclaim. With Soneva Resorts best-loved for its Robinson Crusoe-style laidback luxury, the return of the Pop-Up Bookshop creates the ultimate vacancy for a desert island bibliophile:  barefoot bookselling, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Our search for the Barefoot Booksellers has sparked the imagination of the world over the last three years and still proved that in uncertain times, the dream of a residency among the books, sea, and sand is still universally appealing.

 

The bookshop was created to reflect the stunning natural environment and intelligent luxury that Soneva Fushi provides. While most of us find that holidays are the only opportunity we get to read for pleasure, finding the perfect book that enhances your destination and opens your mind can be a challenge. Previous Barefoot Booksellers have provided guests with unforgettable literary experiences from writer’s workshops to personal reading consultations. We are interested to see what new ideas you can bring to the role!

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The ideal candidate will be a team player with a passion for books and the ability to engage with guests of all ages. They will have excellent written and verbal English skills; a lively tone of voice to write an entertaining blog that captures the exhilarating life of a desert island bookseller, and the skills to host workshops and other guest experiences. They must have the ability to fit in with the distinctive Soneva culture.

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The lucky individual will fly to the Maldives to join the Soneva Fushi team in early October for a twelve-month placement role.

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'Being the Barefoot Bookseller was an absolute dream. I got to meet amazing people, work with incredible books and live on a stunning luxury island. Very much the dream job!' – Aimée Johnson, Barefoot Bookseller 2019.
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‘The Barefoot Bookseller has become an integral part of the Soneva guest experience, providing much, much more than reading recommendations.’ – Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO of Soneva.

 

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Activities, duties & responsibilities:

  • Day-to-day running of the bookshop including sales management, engaging with guests & hosts

  • Responsible for all stock management and reporting back on sales & stock updates

  • Hosting experiences for Soneva guests such as creative writing classes, bibliotherapy, tutoring (Ages 9-18) and literary lectures.

  • Running the Barefoot Bookseller social media presence, including Instagram

  • Writing monthly blog posts & creating entertaining and informative newsletters

  • Liaising with Ultimate Library & Soneva marketing teams on potential events and collaborations

 

Required Skills & Experience:

  • Excellent written & verbal English skills

  • A love of reading & in-depth knowledge of both classical and modern literature

  • Experience in bookselling/publishing is essential

  • Strong knowledge of running social media pages and following trends

  • Experience writing blogs or newsletters

  • To be a team player and self-starter with a sense of fun and creativity

 

Desirable:

  • Creative Writing

  • Photography

  • Tutoring

 

Check out the adventures of our previous booksellers @barefootbookseller or www.barefootbookseller.com.

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • We can only accept and respond to applications written in English

  • Due to such a high volume of applicants, we will only be responding to successful candidates 

  • Applications will only be accepted through the email provided above and will not be considered unless they include a cover letter, CV and sample of work

  • Please don’t apply using any other channels or contact details, especially the Soneva.com website.

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APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

© 2021 by Ultimate Library.

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