Job description
We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and do-gooders, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do.
The Studio Operations Manager (SOM) is a unique position that encompasses many responsibilities within leadership, management of the design practice, and studio administration. As SOM, you’ll work closely with your Studio Chair and DIALOGers across your studio. Through effective management of the practice and the business, you’ll help create an environment that enables pre-eminent design and supports the local studio culture. You will also collaborate with your SOM peers and Senior Management Team (SMT) across DIALOG, connecting the studios and helping us work seamlessly as one design practice without internal borders. Your understanding of our culture, along with your business acumen, strong track record of collaboration and your demonstrated evidence of delivering impactful results set you up for success as SOM. You are an optimistic, organized person who loves working with others.
How you'll make a difference:
- The SOM is responsible for the day-to-day business operations of a DIALOG studio. Working closely with the Studio Chair and partners, and working across teams, the SOM provides oversight of studio financials and administrative services.
- The SOM monitors overall studio Design Practice project performance, resourcing, team capacity, and collaborates with the Operations team for problem solving and providing cross studio support to the practice and project delivery.
- Reporting to the COO, the SOM collaborates with the Studio Chair, Partners, SMT, and other leadership to grow efficiency of existing processes and procedures, and enhance and sustain DIALOG’s internal capacity and success.
- You will act as a key player in promoting a positive studio culture and employee engagement by coordinating studio events (e.g. Wellness Wednesday, Town Halls) with the Studio Chair.
- Your leadership and guidance will help the studio both strategically and operationally. You will help implement the strategic plan within the studio; co-chair studio weekly Partners’ meetings; facilitate inter-studio coordination and collaboration; and make certain that teams are performing effectively.
- By regularly taking the pulse of projects, you will collaborate with teams to monitor project team wellbeing, achievements of sustainability targets, and financial performance.
- Your management of studio business will include implementation and improvement of guidelines, policies, and processes related to financial projections, receivables, expenses, effort, overtime, and vacation accruals.
- You will lead the general administrative services team for the studio, aligning approaches with DIALOG’s overall direction and yet responding to the local needs of the unique culture of your studio.
Who you are:
- You are self-motivated and can confidently collaborate with studio Partners and management on project, financial and processes decision-making.
- You have 10 or more years of professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant operations and leadership experience.
- You have related post-secondary education.
- You have a broad understanding of accounting, human resources, technology, project management, marketing, and general administration.
- Your prior experience in strategic development, business development, project management and client management is considered an asset.
- You possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, flexibility and resourcefulness.
- You can prepare and present high impact business cases, analyses, and recommendations to the partnership and leadership team(s).
- You possess proficient change management skills, ability to challenge and contribute to leadership development.
- You can shape and run operational activities of the studio teams and set clear targets to achieve studio goals.
About DIALOG (Canada)
CEO: Jim Anderson
Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: 501 to 1000 Employees
Type: Company - Private
Website: www.dialogdesign.ca