Studio Manager

At a glance

Role: Studio Manager

Company: Hudson Fuggle, Studio 4, Jamaica Wharf, 2 Shad Thames, London SE1 2YU

Contract: Full-time; on-site

Key skills: Studio management; project management; organisation; communication; numeracy; proofreading; estimating; print buying; CRM; InDesign; Word; Excel; WordPress; Google Analytics; purchasing; problem solving

In detail

Wanted: a talented and proactive studio manager to join our award-winning branding agency in Bermondsey.

About us

Curious and collaborative, we’re here to start conversations, encourage connections and help brands – and people – feel good about themselves. A dedicated team of designers, writers, strategists, filmmakers and social media specialists, we work extensively in the destination marketing and higher education sectors. Our clients include: Better Bankside, London Bridge City, Cheapside, WeAreWaterloo, Royal Academy of Dance, UCL and City, University of London.

We love what we do – and where we do it. We now need a new studio manager to help shape the future of Hudson Fuggle, while they build their own career.

About the role

The studio manager is at the heart of Hudson Fuggle. The first point of contact for all enquiries, they ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the agency – drawing up estimates and production schedules for new projects, assigning jobs and tracking workflow, liaising with clients and external suppliers, and overseeing deadlines, budgets and quality control.

Key responsibilities

While no two days are the same in this role, our studio manager’s key areas of focus include:

Project management

• Setting up jobs and assigning resources using our CRM
• Tracking and managing workflow across the studio (using our CRM and Outlook calendars)
• Engaging and overseeing suppliers (eg printers) and freelancers (eg designers, copywriters, photographers and programmers) – sourcing estimates, issuing POs, managing bookings and timesheets etc
• Liaising with clients as required

Production

• Ensuring outsourced production is of the highest quality
• Keeping abreast of best practices
• Building good relationships with suppliers and negotiating best prices

Sales support

• Managing website hosting and maintenance retainer renewals
• Drafting and reviewing project estimates and tenders, as required
• Assisting the directors with tender submissions

Finance & reporting

• Updating the invoice forecast and ensuring completed work is billed on time
• Creating weekly and month-end management reports in collaboration with our finance administrator and accountant

Website retainers

• Managing fortnightly updates by our programmers
• Sending monthly Google Analytics reports to clients
• Monitoring the profitability of website retainers and hosting

Studio management

• Delivering first-line IT support, managing licensed software and liaising with our IT consultant
• Updating the critical path and ensuring studio-wide compliance
• Supporting the induction of new staff
• Managing holiday requests for designers
• Assisting the directors in the booking of meeting and workshop venues, restaurants, travel arrangements etc
• Providing general administrative support (eg filing, studio purchases, managing subscriptions etc)
• Any other duties as required by the directors

What we’re looking for

Someone who has been working in a similar role in a creative studio and is now looking to step up to the next level. Our ideal candidate is:

• A self-starter – able to work efficiently and effectively on their own initiative and make the role their own
• Meticulous – with a keen eye for detail and the highest production standards
• Confident – happy to liaise directly with suppliers and clients
• Proactive – keen to innovate systems and processes to improve studio efficiency
• Flexible and unflappable – able to remain calm under pressure and manage multiple conflicting deadlines
• Practical – with a knack for fuss-free problem solving
• Hands-on – willing to get stuck into the wide variety of tasks involved in running a busy creative studio
• Collaborative – happy to help other members of the team, as and when required
• Reliable and trustworthy – able to represent the directors and Hudson Fuggle in meetings with clients and suppliers
• Friendly, approachable and hardworking
• Fluent in English

Experienced in using Mac-based software packages and office management systems, they will have:

• A solid working knowledge of Microsoft (specifically, Outlook, Word and Excel)
• A basic working knowledge of Adobe InDesign
• Familiarity with WordPress and Google Analytics
• A working knowledge of the print production process
• Experience of working with project/traffic management systems (eg Synergist/Trello)
• Experience of scheduling, allocating resources and managing budgets
• Experience of sourcing, briefing and managing freelancers and suppliers
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with exceptional written and spoken English
• Strong numerical skills

Please note: we cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role.

What we can offer you

• A friendly, social and supportive working environment
• A competitive salary, dependent on experience
• A workplace pension
• 31 days annual leave (including the eight UK public holidays)
• Additional paid holiday for the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day when the studio is closed
• A commitment to training and continuing professional development
• Monthly team outings and social events
• Monday morning team breakfasts