London, UK
Studio manager/PA
Studio Ashby is looking for a studio manager/PA to join its London team.
About Studio Ashby:
Studio Ashby is a London-based interior design studio, founded by Sophie Ashby in 2014. We are a dynamic group of twelve experienced designers, working across residential and commercial interior design and creative direction in the UK, Europe and further afield. We pride ourselves on our positive, professional and personal approach in all that we do. We work efficiently and collaboratively to bring integrity and soul to interior life.
What we do:
Our mission is to create habitable spaces with identity. Whether it’s a home, a restaurant, a hotel or a commercial development, we apply the same creative approach that starts with envisioning the lives of the people who will inhabit it. We question what inspires them, what moves them and how we can fulfil their desires and support their needs with our design. Art plays a central role in our inspiration and process. Stemming from Sophie’s own passion and training in art history, we believe art has a vital place in every interior and no space feels complete without it.
What we’re looking for:
Attributes:
– positive attitude with a solutions-oriented mind-set and excellent problem-solving skills
– efficient and proactive
– discrete, you will be privy to information shared only be you/director and will need to act with absolute discretion and respect to the company at all times
– a good communicator
– self-driven and strong use of initiative
– highly organised, with strong prioritisation skills, ability to drive work to conclusions and deliver to deadlines
– willing and ability to provide out-of-hours support at short notice via phone or computer, e.g during manager’s travel in other time zones
Skills:
– a minimum of two years’ experience working as a PA/studio manager/EA
– 100% fluent in English
– very strong IT literacy, proficient in Office package, Photoshop, InDesign
– efficient using Mac
– clean driver’s license
– excellent standard of education including Maths and English GCSE/equivalent
This is a varied and dynamic role with wide-ranging responsibilities and the opportunity to make your own. Strong IT skills are a definite requirement as it is vital we are able to resolve issues at short notice. The ideal candidate will be able to quickly establish relationships with others, be calm and conduct themselves professionally at all times.
Duties:
General – office manager role:
– answering the phones
– meeting and greeting guests and visitors
– general management of office, making sure we have fruit, flowers, kitchen basics and that the space looks presentable and beautiful at all times
– drafting company e-newsletters – Mailchimp
– updating website and website journal/blog – WordPress
– manage office printers, troubleshooting
– software, manage subscriptions and any troubleshooting issues
– manage magazine subscriptions
– manage office admin such as business rates, Workspace rent, insurances, electricity, heating etc
– manage, sourcing and ordering stationery and office equipment
– planning Christmas party
– Christmas cards and client Christmas gifts
– completing applications, award submissions and presentations
– assisting the team when you have free time
– attending Monday morning action meetings, taking action points and writing minutes
– planning, organising and managing events eg. launch of new projects
– managing and reviewing filing and office systems.
Personal assistant role to Sophie Ashby:
– manage diary
– manage travel and preparing complex travel itineraries, eg Mipim, Milan Saloni, personal holidays
– manage car – tax disc, MOT, servicing
– assist in any organising/admin tasks associated with Purple PR
– preparing presentations
– conducting research
– to maintain and continuously keep up to date all Sophie’s mailing lists
– assist with company secretarial legal duties
Accountancy involvement:
– liaise with accountant when we win a new job; brief them on timelines, payment structure and project budget
– client invoicing – work with the designers to manage, issue and monitor al client invoices
– work closely with the director and the accountant to forecast year ahead
– manage employee expenses, chase on deadlines with accountant and sign off
– assist in correlating invoices raised with accountant as unreconciled
– assist the director in understanding accounting deadlines and being prepared – Vat return, corporation tax etc
Human resourcing involvement:
– attend action meetings to be Monday mornings and help me to deal with my responsibilities
– manage staff holiday requests and annual leave tracker
– manage staff review dates, book in with me and help me prepare
– organising interviews
– managing company health insurance policy
– oversee intern’s activities
– help me with employment contracts – updating/issuing/filing
– manage Excell, our internet and phone supplier
– staff birthdays and gifts
If you believe you’d be well suited to this role, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter to: [email protected]
If you have require any further information, please contact Dan Gavan at either the above email address or call +44 20 3176 2571
We’re looking to move forward with filling this position fairly quickly so interviews will be held throughout the application window.
We look forward to hearing from you.