Barista & Bookshop Assistant – The Whistleblower

The Whistleblower is a multifunctional building created by Web Summit’s founder & CEO, Paddy Cosgrave, spanning the four floors on 30 South Anne Street with a curated bookshop & café, versatile event spaces, workspace and reading rooms.

We are looking for a part-time Barista & Bookshop Assistant, who will be the face of the ground-floor coffee dock & bookshop. One moment you might be dialling in the espresso machine; the next, you could be helping a visitor find a political memoir. You are a conversationalist, a literature enthusiast, and a hospitality professional rolled into one.

Responsibilities

Coffee & hospitality:
• Prepare and serve premium coffee and beverages to an exacting standard
• Maintain a clean, inviting environment that encourages visitors to linger and read
• Manage café inventory, ensuring milk and beans are stocked and fresh
• Adhere to all food safety and HACCP standards

Bookshop & retail support:
• Provide knowledgeable recommendations across our curated selection of books, magazines, and periodicals
• Process sales through the POS system for both the café and the bookshop
• Assist in merchandising, shelf-stocking, and ensuring the "aesthetic" of the retail space remains world-class

Community & events:
• Act as a host for the building, greeting members using the workspace and reading rooms.
• Assist the General Manager in the rapid "flip" of spaces—moving furniture or setting up AV for evening events and meetups.
• Engage with our community of tech, cultural, and civic leaders with professional and "informed" hospitality.

Who you are:
• You have a natural curiosity about the world. You’re likely a reader of news, technology, or literature and can hold a brief, engaging conversation on these topics with our visitors
• You have at least 1–2 years of experience in a speciality coffee environment. You understand grind profiles, milk chemistry, and workflow efficiency
• You aren't bothered by a changing environment
• You understand the unique energy of the South Anne Street/Grafton Street area and enjoy being part of Dublin’s cultural fabric

Requirements:
• Proven experience as a Barista (Speciality coffee experience is a significant plus)
• Previous experience in retail, ideally in a bookstore or gallery setting
• Excellent communication skills and a "guest-first" mindset
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and occasional evenings for events
• Comfort using modern iPad-based POS and booking systems

Perks:
• Competitive hourly rate
• Opportunity to work in one of Dublin’s most unique and high-profile spaces
• Working within the broader Web Summit ecosystem and network