Studio Manager

As the main point of contact for the studio, the Studio Manager ensures the space runs smoothly, is welcoming, and supports the needs of both team members and guests.

• Front-of-House Presence: Serve as the primary onsite and online contact for clients, schools, vendors, and visiting organizations. Provide a warm, professional welcome and support experience for all guests and employees.
• Meeting Coordination: Schedule and prepare for client meetings, including placing catering orders and serving refreshments to create a comfortable, professional setting.
• Studio Maintenance: Oversee the cleanliness and appearance of shared spaces such as the office and conference rooms. Manage janitorial services and pitch in personally when needed (e.g., tidying the kitchen).
• Technical & Facility Support: Troubleshoot and coordinate basic fixes for office equipment and systems (e.g., copier, IT issues, ADT Security).
• Supplies & Logistics: Order office and kitchen supplies, manage inventory, run errands, and handle incoming/outgoing shipments and deliveries.
• Travel Support: Coordinate occasional travel arrangements for team members when requested.

Beyond daily logistics, the Studio Manager also contributes to company culture, marketing, university partnerships, and administrative support.

• Event Planning & Culture: Organize internal gatherings such as holiday parties, staff celebrations, and team-building events, both onsite and offsite.
• Branded Materials Management: Collaborate with the brand team to order and maintain a supply of Whipsaw-branded merchandise, apparel, and giveaway items.
• New Hire Onboarding: Help orient new employees by preparing their workspaces and assisting with onboarding processes.
• Corporate Event Coordination: Support logistics for larger company-wide events and external-facing engagements.
• University Engagement: Maintain relationships with academic institutions and professors. Track key academic events and coordinate with Whipsaw’s design teams to ensure a strong campus presence.
• Administrative Support: Assist the Controller with tasks such as tracking invoices, organizing receipts, and supporting HR-related responsibilities.
• Award Submissions: Work with the Project Management team to gather materials, submit entries for design awards, and manage related shipping logistics.
• Marketing & Communications: Depending on interest and availability, support marketing initiatives, including content creation, outreach, or coordination efforts.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a warm, professional demeanor—you're comfortable interacting with clients, team members, and visitors alike.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities without letting details slip through the cracks.
• A proactive mindset, with the confidence to take initiative, troubleshoot issues, and improve processes independently.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly coordinate across teams and vendors.
• A keen eye for presentation and detail, ensuring that studio spaces are always clean, functional, and welcoming.
• Event coordination experience, from casual team lunches to larger corporate events.
• Tech-savviness and comfort troubleshooting office tools and systems (e.g., printers, AV setups, security systems); experience with platforms like Google Workspace is a plus.
• Familiarity with administrative support functions, including basic bookkeeping, HR coordination, or vendor management.
• Experience in a creative or design studio environment is a bonus, but not required.
• Availability to work onsite in the Potrero Hill studio Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm, with flexibility for occasional events.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, hospitality, or design-adjacent discipline.