Studio manager – maternity cover
at JPA Design
JPA Design is hiring a studio manager to join its team in London as maternity cover.
Location: Hackney
Contract: fixed-term maternity cover 12 months
Start date: August 2026
Working pattern: 3 days (24 hours) a week, based at our design studio
Role overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly organised studio manager to join our London-based design consultancy on a maternity cover contract. This is a pivotal role supporting the day-to-day operations of a busy creative studio, ensuring the team, environment and business functions run smoothly and efficiently.
The ideal candidate will have prior experience working within a London design consultancy or creative agency environment and will bring strong studio management capability alongside practical HR administration and people-support experience.
You will act as the operational backbone of the studio, balancing people, processes, facilities, culture and administration while supporting the wider team.
Key responsibilities
Studio and operations management:
- oversee the daily running of the studio and maintain an efficient, professional and welcoming environment
- manage studio facilities, suppliers, office services, maintenance and health safety compliance
- coordinate IT, equipment and workspace requirements with external providers
- support finance administration, including invoicing coordination, expenses and purchase orders
- maintain studio systems, policies and operational procedures
- organise internal meetings, events, team activities and client hospitality
HR and people support:
- manage onboarding and offboarding processes for employees and freelancers
- coordinate recruitment logistics including scheduling interviews and liaising with candidates
- maintain holiday requests and tracking
- support employee wellbeing initiatives and studio culture
- assist directors with performance review processes and HR administration
- liaise with external HR advisors where required
- ensure policies and procedures remain compliant with UK employment practices
Team and project support:
- assist with resource planning and studio scheduling
- support project teams with administrative and operational requirements
- help maintain effective communication across teams and leadership
- contribute to a positive, collaborative studio culture
Candidate profile
We are looking for someone who is:
- experienced working within a London-based design consultancy, architecture practice, branding agency or creative studio
- confident managing a fast-paced creative studio environment
- highly organised with strong attention to detail
- professional, approachable and proactive
- comfortable balancing operational, people and administrative responsibilities
- calm under pressure with excellent problem-solving skills
- an effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills
Essential experience and skills:
- pevious experience as a studio manager, operations manager or office manager within a design consultancy or creative agency
- demonstrable studio management experience in London
- experience supporting HR administration and employee processes
- strong organisational and multitasking skills
- excellent written and verbal communication
- proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- experience coordinating suppliers, facilities and office operations
- understanding of HR best practice and confidentiality requirements
Desirable:
- experience supporting creative or design-led teams
- familiarity with freelance and contractor coordination
- knowledge of basic finance administration
- experience organising studio events and activities
What we offer: £50,000 full time equivalent (FTE) salary
How to apply
Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience within design consultancies or creative studios via the ‘apply for job’ button below, with the subject title: Studio Manager (Maternity Cover). The deadline submission date is 15 June 2026.
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.