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Yinka Ilori is seeking a project manager/studio manager to join its team in London.

About us

Yinka Ilori is a London based multidisciplinary artist of a British-Nigerian heritage, who specialises in storytelling by fusing his British and Nigerian heritage to tell new stories in contemporary design. He began his practice in 2011 up-cycling vintage furniture, inspired by the traditional Nigerian parables and West African fabrics that surrounded him as a child.

Come and join us

The studio now consists of a team of colour-obsessed architects and designers, with the expertise and capacity to take on large-scale architectural and interior design projects.

The studio continues to experiment with the relationship between function and form, with an output that sits between traditional divisions of art and design.

We’re looking for a project manager/studio manager to join us. Working closely with Yinka Ilori and the team to coordinate the day-to-day running of the studio and supporting the overall vision.

As a project manager, you will act as the day-to-day point of contact for our wide portfolio of clients. Working in an agile and creative working environment. Your leadership and drive will be responsible for the successful delivery of large-scale design projects. Throughout the design process, you will work closely with Yinka Ilori and team to manage the workflow with overview of budget, capacity management and the ability to make key decisions

The successful candidate will also be responsible for seeking out and supporting new business opportunities. This will include managing the production of our tender submissions.

You

Are you dynamic, highly-organised and adaptable?

Can you develop relationships?

Do you have the ability to solve problems and deliver efficiency?

Are you ready to be part of a great team and manage the core operational function of the studio?

Responsibilities:

• create and maintain the project plan for all projects during build and run phase, ensuring that large scale and/or multiple project(s) are delivered and managed successfully to the highest standards of delivery
• contribute to the creative, technical, and strategic direction of the project by working as key part of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team
• act as day-to-day client point of contact, facilitating the resolution of problems, in collaboration with project technical leadership
• identify and evaluate project risks/issues and able to devise and implement effective mitigation strategies
• budget and capacity management
• providing internal monthly and external project status reports
• keeping detailed minutes for all meetings and distributing to stakeholders
• change request management and documentation
• prioritise according to the project need and in line with stakeholder expectations
• recognising and highlighting potential new business opportunities with the client
• chair and co-ordinate large meetings and conference calls
• winning and managing client projects on a global level, across strategy, brand communications and interiors, from inception to final sign off
• managing all elements of the office maintenance as well as day to day management of the studio
• processing invoices, expenses and VAT
• upkeep of the website, social media and tender submissions

Requirements:

• design related project management
• clear and demonstrable experience of delivering large projects in an agile environment
• strong focus on quality of output to ensure the only the best possible outcome is delivered
• ability to work calmly under pressure of deadlines and delivery
• strong content generation skills with a keen eye for detail (including proofreading, quality checking, imagery and design)
• ability to draft copy for press releases, articles and letters
• team management and organisation
• team workflow, timesheet management and project time-tracking
• first class understanding and proven experience of budget, resourcing and capacity management
• ability to communicate with stakeholders and existing or potential clients in a clear and concise manner, especially during challenging periods
• resourceful – able to find solutions to technical and management issues in a logical and coherent manner
• understanding of Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft technologies (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook)
• commercial awareness, confidence and experienced with SME financial matters
• comfortable and confident in Mac OS, Office 365, and have basic InDesign skills
• someone who has at least four years’ experience in a similar role, this will be your second or third position as a studio manager or similar office administrative role
• educated to degree level or equivalent
• interested in design and the creative industries
• ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, diplomacy, and professionalism

Marketing and communication abilities:

• assisting with or organising tasks such as social media, project photography and website updates and bid submissions
• assisting with developing and implementing PR/marketing strategy plans
• optimise performance, reach and engagement on all social media (Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn) including monitoring and reporting
• maintain and update marketing documentation and databases
• writing copy for proposals, and compiling and presenting information into comprehensive documents with a strong and graphic presence
• tracking bids, monitoring submission deadlines and following up where required
• providing regular feedback on any successes/weaknesses and identifying/advising on areas of improvement that can be made for future bids/practice protocols
• coordinating production of fee proposals and portfolios in relation to new business leads, keeping an up to date centralised database of documents, and setting up meetings with key contacts as required
• maintaining company bid literature, including all staff CVs and the bid information library
• copywriting for bids and other practice literature including the SEW website
• client management, including strategic thinking around growing client base
• working with the thought leadership team to create an annual marketing programme
• website management
• developing, driving and implementing all press releases, collating project information, and liaising with various consultants, as required

Key attributes:

• principled, pragmatic and calm – always ten steps ahead; expert in time management and scheduling
• energetic and optimistic – able to inspire confidence in people at all levels, an ambassador for the company
• curious, sociable, positive and connected – in people, ideas, culture, commerce
• fantastic organisation skills with high attention to detail – a practical problem solver
• positive can-do attitude
• able to work at speed, both in collaboration with others and also independently
• providing solutions with a positive outlook; ability to juggle a number of projects simultaneously, resourceful, with energy and a charming touch
• strong communication and interpersonal skills

The studio is a very sociable and inclusive place to work. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is a fundamental part of our charter. All candidates will be treated fairly regardless of their background, age, race, sex or disability.

www.yinkailori.com

• Applications have closed.