Engagement Manager

Foolscap is seeking a highly organised and strategic Engagement Manager to support the team and brand both internally and externally. This role strengthens the studio's internal operations to enable the team's best work while shaping how the brand is represented to the world through content, PR, and events.

About Foolscap

Foolscap is a cross-disciplinary and considered interior architecture and design practice based in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth. Shaped by 16 years in practice and decades of experience, Foolscap designs spaces which are defined by strategy, integrity, and ingenuity. The studio has produced award-winning projects for local and international clients including LVMH Chandon, Noma, ANZ, and 1Rebel. Throughout all projects, Foolscap's research-led approach produces highly conceptual, experiential, and regenerative outcomes.

The Role

The Engagement Manager oversees all aspects of studio operations, team wellbeing, communications, and business development support. Working closely with the Senior Management Team, this role ensures the studio runs efficiently; implementing policy and nurturing a strong internal culture. You are responsible for orchestrating and consistently improving the 'everyday' operations of the studio.

You are purpose-driven and analytical. You are enthusiastic about professional client services, and team management. You are interested in developing Foolscap to be the best it can be. You are a key thinking partner of the Founder & Director and wider Senior Management Team, helping ideate strategic ways of working and creative problem solving.

Internal Responsibilities

• Operations Management: You manage the day to day operations proactively and strategically, to help achieve our Studio Strategy and commercial success. You take care of the physical studio space. You coordinate with external IT consultants and act as an account administrator to ensure the smooth running of all online systems.
• Project Management: You are highly organised and proactively help others in the studio to be better organised, proactively improving studio systems. You have demonstrated ability to work across multiple projects simultaneously and deliver key outcomes. You have excellent time and project management skills, and the confidence to liaise with clients and consultants.
• People & Culture: You are the 'Studio Barometer', attentive to the overall atmosphere and team's wellbeing, proactively raising any issues for resolution. You manage HR administration including documentation for government compliance and requirements and collaborate with the Finance team to manage wages and leave. You coordinate performance reviews to ensure they occur as scheduled.
• Executive Assistant: You are highly diplomatic, cautiously manage sensitive information, and maintain absolute confidentiality. You are a key thinking partner of the Founder & Director and wider Senior Management Team, helping ideate internal processes and business development strategies as well as acting as a sounding board.
• Proposals & Presentations: Curate the studio's brand and deliver content and copy for all touchpoints including presentations, proposals, website, social content, events, and award submissions. Strong copywriting, word formatting, and InDesign skills are required.
• Events: Organise and host events at the studio as well as part of Melbourne Design Week, Open House Melbourne, Melbourne Art Fair, and the like.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5 years post-grad experience, ideally with entrepreneurial organisations
• Bachelor's degree or other qualification
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, communication, leadership, decision making and problem-solving skills
• Skilled delegation
• Proficient in Google Suite, including word processing, spreadsheets, and file management, and ideally competent in Adobe Suite
• A tech-savvy problem solver
• You have the insight and humility, to seek help and guidance when required
• Experience assisting in identifying, structuring, and negotiating strategic, commercial and design deals;
• All-round presentation skills including written and oral communication
• A collaborative mindset and a can-do attitude
• Confidence managing brand communications and client-facing materials
• Confidence making and maintaining client relationships
• Proven copywriting and editing skills
• An understanding of invoicing and billing to collaborate with our Finance team
• Basic graphic design skills
• Strong attention to detail

Desirable Skills

• Experience in marketing, social media, content strategy, or PR
• Experience in people management
• Experience preparing tender and bid submissions
• Confidence in reading legal contracts

How to Apply

Please submit your application to including CV, cover letter, and relevant practice experience with the subject line "Application: Melbourne Studio Manager" or "Application: Perth Intermediate Designer".

If any candidates apply directly yet we receive their information through a recruiter, we will consider this as a direct candidate application and no fee will be payable to external agencies.