Project/Studio Manager

YES; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A creative studio in Shoreditch, London, seeks an experienced individual for a hybrid role combining project, account, and operational management. Your responsibilities will include overseeing project delivery, managing client relationships, and improving studio processes. Ideal candidates will have 1-2 years in a design studio and a strong grasp of creative and technical processes. Benefits include 28 days annual leave, flexible work options, and support for mental health initiatives.

Benefits

28 days annual leave

Extra day off for birthday

Additional time off over Christmas

Optional work from anywhere policy

Support for mental health

WFH Fridays

Weekly team lunches

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• 1 – 2 years of experience working in a design studio or agency.
• Understanding creative and technical processes for digital products.
• Ability to scope, budget, and manage projects effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Motivational and inspiring for team members.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily project administration across multiple projects.
• Deliver comprehensive client updates and build relationships.
• Manage new business pipeline and opportunities.
• Ensure effective studio processes and team planning.
• Conduct general HR activities like recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Time management

Problem-solving

Creativity

Leadership qualities

Tools

Notion

Slack

Google Docs

Dropbox

Xero

Job description

This hybrid role will entail part project management, part account management and part operational management of the studio. As we are a small team, your personality is as important as your skill-set, with everybody contributing to a positive, creative environment.

Reporting directly to the Founder / Creative Director, you will have a vital and integral role, keen to implement new ideas, business opportunities, processes and workflows to improve the day to day running of the studio.

You are a strong and experienced communicator, whilst being tactful and diplomatic. You are focussed on the details, can effectively respond to the clients and the team's needs, and can effortlessly juggle multiple projects and clients. You think laterally and creatively, you are pragmatic and have the ability to make quick judgment calls, negotiate fees, budgets, timelines and contracts, be intuitive and confident, and maintain your composure at all times. You are a natural people-person that strives to reach the best solution for both client and the studio in tough situations. You think in a holistic and strategic manner, always having the bigger picture in mind.

Responsibilities

• Daily project administration across multiple projects, with an emphasis on digital.
• Managing the delivery of all projects from initial meeting to UX, visual design and build.
• Scope, timeline, quote and contract new projects, ranging from single page sites to year long projects.
• Manage the development process to minimise scope creep and ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Deliver thoughtful, routine, comprehensive client updates. Build good relationships with clients and manage stakeholder’s needs and expectations throughout a project’s duration.
• Managing the new business pipeline with the founder and actively finding opportunities with new or existing clients.
• Drive the improvement of studio processes.
• Manage resourcing and team planning, including external contractors, across multiple projects.
• Manage client billing and following up on payment schedules.
• Studio management and purchases.
• Overseeing effectiveness and financial performance of the business.
• Planning team socials / days out / team activities.

General HR such as:

• Assisting the recruitment process and staff on-boarding.
• New and existing staff contracts.
• Absence and holiday management.
• Overseeing the bi-annual appraisal process.

Knowledge or experience using the following software is a bonus:

• Notion
• Slack
• Google Docs / Sheets
• Dropbox
• Xero

Requirements

• 1 – 2 years of experience working in a design studio/similar agency (ideally with experience in digital deliverables, or a keen interest in learning these).
• An understanding of, and interest in the creative and technical processes involved in creating digital products.
• Ability to assess, scope, budget, plan, manage, brief, quality control and present.
• Ability to quickly solve problems, recognise bottlenecks in the studio and act upon issues with patience and courtesy.
• Experience working on a range of projects and complexities.
• A motivational and inspiring role model for all members of the team.
• An active listener, who relates to the needs of the clients, the team and the business.
• Strong time-management and communication skills.
• A self-starter who is comfortable taking initiative.
• Hands-on and proactive work ethic.
• Expert level communicator, both written and verbal.
• Industry experience working in the creative disciplines.
• Business acumen.
• 28 days of annual leave, including public holidays.
• Additional day off for your birthday.
• Additional time off over Christmas break (typically 7 additional days).
• 2 weeks optional work from anywhere policy.
• Support for mental health, including Duvet Days for rest or remote work.
• WFH Fridays.
• Weekly team lunches.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Location

This is a studio-based role in Shoreditch, London, within a unique converted Victorian school building set in private grounds.

• A cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.