Studio Manager (People + Operations)

Hotel Creative

Hotel is a world-renowned creative studio based in Soho, London. We are known for creating artful and deeply engaging retail and experiences for global sports and fashion brands, but our offering extends to creative strategy, product and campaign conception, multi-media art direction and interior design.

We are looking for a confident, energetic, and experienced People + Operations professional to join our vibrant studio, and help create a great environment for our team to work in. In this role, you’ll support a wide variety of tasks across operations and human resources, helping set the tone for Hotel’s workplace culture and maximising the day-to-day experience for all employees.

Role Overview

Working into the Operations Director, The Studio Manager is a core pillar of Hotel’s new Operations team, and will provide a broad range of Operations + People Services to the business. The Studio Manager is responsible for ensuring that the studio and employees have everything in place to run effectively and smoothly. Importantly, the Studio Manager will also be the first point of contact for day-to-day HR and recruitment queries, and manage various aspects of the employee lifecycle, ensuring the delivery of a first-class People service to the organisation. The Studio Manager will be supported by a Studio Assistant, and a fractional / external part-time Senior HR Professional. This role includes the opportunity for supported CIPD accredited HR training.

Core Responsibilities

People

+ The primary point of contact for permanent and freelance recruitment across all departments, managing the freelance roster and keeping it up to date with new talent.

+ Assist the Managing Director and external HR support in monitoring, reviewing, and updating all HR policies to ensure compliance with current legislation.

+ Provide general HR administrative support across the employee life cycle, including on-boarding, off-boarding and contract management. Arranging and managing the employee performance process across all departments.

+ Oversee or support the resolution of people issues in line with our culture, values and behaviours.

Creative Operations

+ As the Studio Manager, you will support the Operations Director in streamlining studio and creative processes.

+ Assist with the final stages of the creative workflow process, making sure project team feedback is captured and regular wash-up meetings are organised.

+ Manage the info and jobs email accounts, so all queries are flagged to the relevant team member or responded to in a timely manner. Spotting new talent and arranging regular intros.

+ Assisting with any other administrative tasks as and when they arise may be necessary.

Studio

You will manage and oversee the studio operations, supported by a Studio Assistant whose role covers:

+ Telephone – answering all calls professionally, screening sales reps and relaying messages immediately.

+ Front of house — meet and greet guests to studio, provide refreshments for all meetings.

+ Studio presentation — ensure the studio is neat, tidy and presentable, liaising with the cleaning team to ensure team desks are tidy and in order.

+ Utilities – liaise with utilities, alarm, phone / internet providers, cleaners as necessary.

+ Landlord – liaise with their property management team to ensure a smooth-running work environment, which adheres to working practice guidelines.

+ Studio supplies — ensure we are adequately stocked for stationery, sanitary and kitchen supplies at all times.

+ Director / Senior Management team — efficiently assist on tasks as directed, communicating regular updates.

+ Travel – book hotels, flights, trains and taxis for team members.

+ Post & couriers — dispatch items and distribute incoming deliveries.

+ Assist Finance Manager by logging receipts and being a beacon for organisation.

Person Specification

You will be highly motivated and organised with a can-do attitude and a proactive outlook; you will be demonstrably comfortable working in a fast-paced design studio that prioritises creative excellence whilst servicing demanding clients.

Possessing strong interpersonal skills and capable of interacting confidently with key stakeholders across the functions of the business, from pure creative to client services and leadership. You will thrive in a vocal and collaborative environment.

Essential Requirements

+ 3-4 years of experience in HR / People / Operations role

+ Keen interest in developing a career in ‘HR / people / culture’ in a creative workplace

+ Comfortable working in a studio environment full time and not ‘from home’

+ Brilliant communication skills; face-to-face, email, and phone with a reflex for action

+ Demonstrably high on empathy, with natural people skills

+ Confident & articulate dealing with all types of stakeholders

+ Recruitment knowledge and experience in terms of process and interview

+ Outstanding time and calendar management skills

+ Adaptable, decisive and solution focused, able to prioritise and function well under pressure

+ Can do attitude; a doer, always prepared to roll sleeves and get stuck in

+ Impeccable written and spoken English

+ Mid to advanced level office-software skills (Excel / Word / Keynote)

+ Based in the UK with indefinite leave to remain

Advantageous

+ Experience working in a creative / design agency environment

+ Some knowledge and/or experience of current and evolving HR policy and practice

+ Experience working in Keynote

Benefits

+ Private Health Care (after 3-month probation period)

+ 25 days paid leave + National Holidays

+ Additional Christmas Break

+ Fun studio environment

+ Free breakfast Mondays and fresh fruit

+ Christmas & Summer parties /Art trips /Weekly DJ set

+ Sponsorship to study for the CIPD accredited HR professional qualification.