JOB POSTING
Position Summary
The Studio Manager will be experienced in office or studio management and youth development with the passion to work for an emerging Black-owned, youth-staffed, community oriented graphic design firm and creative agency. This role will act as liaison between clients and the rest of the TBS: Design Studio team, while reporting to the Creative Director, and manage our in-house clothing and merchandise brand.
- Position Type: Full time
- Salary: $50K base + performance-based bonuses + benefits
- Location: Must be New Orleans based
- Work Model: Hybrid
- Deadline: Oct 24, 2023
- Start date: early-Nov
Duties include but are not limited to overseeing the design studio’s daily operations; managing projects; and workforce/whole-person development for the design apprenticeship. Responsibilities also include ensuring all design briefs are assigned to junior designers according to a designer’s skills and strengths, ensuring all client work is delivered in a timely fashion at a high quality. The Studio Manager should have excellent organizational and communication skills and motivate their team by demonstrating efficient leadership.
The Studio Manager should have a strong understanding of how to both achieve and develop project briefs to achieve client needs and successful design. The ideal candidate for this position will successfully help to scale up the studio’s business to reflect the potential of our already working model. This team member’s contribution will enable the future growth of both TBS: Design Studio and their position within it.
Workplace Model
Initially, the Studio Manager can work a hybrid schedule, as long as reliable internet access is available. They will be asked to attend, and assist with, Design Apprenticeship sessions, currently based at Xavier’s Art Village. However, once the Design Studio has a dedicated space in The Black Schoolhouse, the Studio Manager will be asked to work in-person. Regardless of the model being followed, this position will be filled by someone that is New Orleans-based.
Role and Responsibilities:
- Manage the studio’s daily operations and staff, including administrative needs such as scheduling and timekeeping
- Ensure that work produced is high quality, meets all program objectives, and is delivered in a timely, cost-effective manner
- Provide regular updates to the Creative Director to ensure projects are assigned appropriately and all operations reflect the studio’s goals and standards
- Proactively identify and communicate potential issues and problem solve with the extended team
- Facilitate all aspects of the workflow for multiple design projects, including identifying roles and responsibilities and setting expectations; developing project briefs; streamlined and efficient delivery; review, analysis, quality control, and assessment; and tracking and progress reporting
- Manage the creative production process; from creating project briefs to producing contracts, resourcing/outsourcing, production, asset delivery, invoicing, payment collections, and archiving
- Coordinate Junior Designers (such as graduates of the TBS Design Apprenticeship program) to ensure project deadlines and client needs are met
- Develop and facilitate the whole-person and workforce Development component of Design Apprenticeship, which combines essential skills and training with resources to help the design apprentices and junior designers grow as individuals and leaders in their community.
- Build strong working relationships with clients to understand their needs and priorities, clarify objectives, and clearly communicate plans
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the e-commerce store, including product fulfilment and shipment; ensuring that the store backend is routinely updated and functioning properly, and store fronts are regularly maintained in order to optimize customer experience and maximize revenue
- Advance products inspired by Black radical art, politics, and education to generate revenue
- Work with team to plan, develop, and implement merchandise marketing initiatives
- Help develop and oversee art print subscription plan
- Other duties as assigned
Experience and Qualifications:
- At least one year of office and/or studio management experience preferred, with some experience managing a remote or hybrid team
- At least one year working with youth in a development or education capacity
- Willingness to learn about the discipline of design and creative industries, with an understanding and or a curiosity about trends in design, clothing, and mechandising
- Experience with project management tools and strategic marketing
- Proficiency with copywriting
- Willingness to learn to use website management software to update studio portfolio website and shop
- Capability to manage projects and teams in a Black youth-focused organization
- Strong contingency planning and time management skills, with an eagerness to meet deadlines
- Ability to be a self-starter and take initiative, with the motivation to act resourcefully and work independently with high attention to detail
- Passion about achieving The Black School’s mission and the communities we serve
Equal Opportunity Employment Policy
The Black School, Inc. follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal justice background, and marital status.
This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.
