London, UK
General manager
at Afroditi
AfroditiKrassa is seeking a general manager to join its design studio in London.
Design studio general manager
London, United Kingdom
AfroditiKrassa is growing and looking for a general manager, who will be responsible for all aspects of finance, resourcing, new business, HR, contracts and legals, client account management and administration side of the business.
About us
AfroditiKrassa is the interior and brand-design studio behind some of the most iconic hospitality projects of the past decade; from dining phenomenon Dishoom, to the nation’s latest staple diet itsu, Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionists’ Café and the reinvention of Curzon Cinemas. We work with the industry’s luminaires and current clients include celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and ultra-luxury hotel operator Rosewood Hotels.
The role
The role requires a proactive manager who is an all-rounder, hands-on problem solver with an entrepreneurial and self-driven attitude. Passion, attention to detail and the ability to proactively facilitate the smooth running of a small business is a must.
A background in hospitality and/or the creative industries, a clear head for numbers, highly-organised and strong multi-tasking skills will be essential; someone who enjoys acting on their own initiative and working closely with the director, who can prioritise amongst the wide range of tasks and can deal with pressure. The ideal will be great at dealing with people and assist in building culture within a busy studio. It requires excellent communication, perfect level of English, organisational and social skills.
The role will cover the areas below.
HR/resourcing:
- planning and supporting studio’s skill set growth and personal growth of employees
- nourishing and building a studio culture with a solid planning and actual activation
- managing project resourcing and planning of future HR requirements
- monitoring staff timesheets and expenses
- staff performance reviews and appraisals
- finding potential candidates proactively
- organising job interviews, scheduling freelancers
- conducting first round of interviews, inclusive of follow ups, reference letters
- preparing offer letters, contracts etc.
Finance:
- monitoring company’s financial performance and cash flow
- identifying opportunities for growth and activation
- monitoring project performance and profitability
- preparing budget projections and P&Ls
- liaising with external accountants on all aspects of VAT and payrolls
- management of bookkeeping, management of our internal Xero accounting system
- management of payments and debt
Office management:
- creating and updating project timeplans
- liaising with external consultants and suppliers such as IT, accountants etc.
Monitoring staff timesheets and expenses - general administration support to the team and occasional PA to directors
- ongoing maintenance of the studio and materials library
Account management/contractual/systems:
- dealing with non-creative client queries, demands and escalations
- creating and updating project timelines
- updating practice policies, records and contracts
- upgrading internal systems
- liaising with external consultants and suppliers such as IT, accounting, legals
New business:
- assisting the director in meetings and follow up of prospective clients
- preparing proposals, quotations, scope of works documents, propose timelines, bid submissions and follow up
- negotiating terms, contracts and overall fees
Software:
- Xero
- Microsoft Office
- Excel
Excellent spoken and written English is essential, as is working in a similar role in the UK design and/or hospitality sector.
The role is full-time, with a salary upwards of £40,000 depending on experience.