STUDIO MANAGER
THE ROLE
We're a B Corp furniture and lighting company looking for a studio manager to lead the made-to-measure and bespoke design approval process, and manage the studio team. The ideal candidate will have experience working with discerning trade and retail clients and knows how to create a seamless client experience, communicating expertly from an enquiry to final delivery and beyond.
You will work closely with our workshop to ensure we're creating the optimal conditions to produce furniture that meets and exceeds clients' expectations. You enjoy developing people and processes and will lead our efforts to constantly refine and improve the client experience. This role is for someone who likes to run a tight ship but is also comfortable with uncertainty and pushing boundaries.
You'll help shape our 100-year plan and RE-MC programme and contribute to our B-Corp re-certification in 3 years while pursuing defined ESG KPIs. The studio manager role touches on sales, project management, design, production, delivery, marketing, and business administration, so the ability to manage competing deadlines is vital. As this is a new position, there is potential to evolve your role over time.
£45-50k+ profit share + benefits 37.5 hours per week (typically 9am-5pm Monday to Friday)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
SALES & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- managing client expectations at all levels confidently.
- making key project-related decisions and calling on the creative director/managing director only as required (design and marketing decisions will rest with the CD/MD).
- quoting & invoicing proficiently using Xero and our quoting tool.
- understanding and explaining design/construction/ finishing details and associated costs.
- leading the organisation of our image library, tearsheets and other sales resources.
- managing multiple project requirements and defining priorities/deadlines.
- ensuring visibility of each client's commission in the production pipeline.
- keeping the workshop informed and ensuring information in Monday.com is 'real-time' - overseeing the briefing/approval of drawings, samples and care guides before handing the project to the workshop.
- maintaining oversight of the shipping process (handled by our operations coordinator) and ensuring the most sustainable, efficient and costeffective solutions are chosen.
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
- optimising studio systems and processes.
- managing the development/wellbeing of the team.
- owning sales/studio finances and liaising with production & finance managers on pricing.
- seeking ways to reduce our impact on the environment and create a positive legacy - shaping the structure of the overall team in conjunction with the production manager and workshop lead.
- teaching studio members techniques to simplify their workloads/improve productivity and maintain work-life balance.
- ensuring administrative/ad hoc tasks are delegated proficiently and completed satisfactorily.
ESSENTIAL FOR ROLE
- Strong client service experience.
- Management experience.
- Commitment to purpose-led business.
- Ability to organise and prioritise work.
- Exceptional communication skills.
- Highly numerate.
- Enthusiasm for design and technology.
- Attention to detail.
- Positive can-do attitude.
THE COMPANY
Matthew Cox is a company of designers, makers, curators and innovators creating furniture to last over a hundred years. As a third-generation antique dealer, Matthew distils his knowledge into a versatile collection of made to measure pieces which complement our ever-changing selection of antiques.
We work in Stamford, Lincolnshire which is regularly named as one of the best places to live in the UK. The studio is located in a 17th century townhouse and our furniture is made in and around a 1930s Dutch barn with views of Rutland's fields.
"Our collection is entirely made to measure, so our creative process is a thoughtful one. We make each piece to serve our customer's purpose perfectly today, and to become more beautiful and valuable over time"
OUR VALUES
Positivity - we fulfil our roles in an engaged, enthusiastic and empathetic way.
Simplicity - we challenge and refine processes while communicating with clarity and kindness.
Quality - we strive for the highest standards in our work while supporting others to do the same.
Purpose - we fulfil our roles with clarity, knowing what we we'd like to do more/less/none of in future.
Always out of the ordinary is the guiding principle for our company, and though the line was conceived with furniture design in mind, it applies to every part of our company. Diversity, originality and authenticity are intrinsic to everything we do. As are the principles of fairness and openmindedness.
Building a positively diverse team means encouraging applications from underrepresented groups including minoritised/marginalised ethnic groups, all gender identities and expressions from the LGBTQA+ community, candidates with a disability, those who practise different faiths and beliefs. If you're not a British or Irish citizen you'll need permission to work in the UK.
When applying for this role please include a CV along with a short covering letter, applications without a covering letter will not be considered.