Job Description
ABOUT US
A Practice for Everyday Life (APFEL) is a design studio based in London. Our work includes art direction, branding, books, exhibitions, type design, signage, and digital. We have built a reputation as an internationally renowned and sought-after collaborator through our work with art, architecture, design, and culture and we work with a conceptual rigour that ensures each design is meaningful and original. Our Type Foundry publishes a growing library of typefaces developed through visual, textual and experiential research. Our online shop offers select products, publications and prints by our studio.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a Studio & Project Assistant. This role sits at the heart of A Practice for Everyday Life, and is crucial to ensure the well-being of the studio's projects and people. You will be a key studio administrator, assisting the Directors with all functional aspects of the business – from IT and finance to HR and marketing – and the wider team with administrative support for projects.
This role is for a candidate who is keen to develop a coherent understanding of studio operations and successful project delivery. It has strong opportunity for growth with training given to help with your development at APFEL.
Full time role (37.5 hours, 5 days per week) or optional part time (30 hours, 4 days per week) at our London studio.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Studio Administration
- Maintain internal systems, working with the Directors to upkeep and improve processes.
- Update the studio's suppliers list and build strong relationships with suppliers.
- Undertake a personal assistant role for the Directors.
- Manage the studio's shared calendars and general email accounts.
- Keep the studio to a high standard and ensure all calls and visitors are taken care of.
- Order and maintain all office/catering supplies and assisting the Directors with other maintenance contractors.
- Assist the Directors with maintaining health & safety.
- Processing shop and font orders in dialogue with the Design team.
Project Assistance
- Log studio receipts and expenses, preparing for bookkeeping in a timely manner.
- Support the Director with studio invoicing, financial administration and studio insurance policies' paperwork.
- General financial administrative support, when required.
Marketing & New Business Assistance
- Assist Directors with new business correspondence and administration.
- Oversee upkeep of APFEL's credentials master documents and support with website and social media updates.
- Maintain the studio press archive on website, logging digital and hard copy press coverage.
HR & Culture Assistance
- Create an inspiring atmosphere for the studio by managing the cultural aspects of the studio, including birthdays, studio meals, studio outings.
- Maintain the studio handbook and set up new starters and freelancers.
- Assist the Directors with staff, intern and freelance resourcing, contract administration and related paperwork.
- Monitor the studio's logging of time-sheets and liaising with the team.
IT & Tech Assistance
- General upkeep and troubleshooting of the APFEL IT setup and software, coordinating with the studio's IT consultants where required.
- Archive completed projects and maintaining server archive.
- Support with ordering new equipment and employee/freelancer set up.
- Administration of printer, telephone and broadband suppliers.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Educated to degree level and/or equivalent working experience (ideally 1–2 years’ of administration tasks or project management in a studio environment).
- Strong passion for graphic design and branding.
- Enjoy working collaboratively in a fast-paced studio.
- Strong passion for graphic design and branding.
- Adaptable, keen, self-motivated, proactive and solutions focused.
- Excellent communication, time-management and mathematical skills.
- Mac OS literate and high proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office.
- Ability to represent APFEL to clients, press and at relevant events.
- Knowledge of creative studios, design, web, print and production processes (beneficial).
- Experience in the cultural sector (beneficial).
- Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Harvest, TeamGantt, Xero (beneficial).
SALARY
£23,000–£25,000 (pro-rata), dependent upon experience.