Studio Manager

We are a Brisbane-based, design-led studio specialising in wayfinding, placemaking, and public realm projects across Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. Our work spans civic, health, education, and infrastructure sectors, with a strong focus on government clients and statutory authorities. We combine strategic thinking, design expertise, and rigorous quality systems to deliver projects that connect people to place. Our collaborative team culture values creativity, precision, and problem-solving. We offer a supportive environment, diverse projects, and opportunities to take ownership and grow your role while contributing to meaningful, high-profile projects that shape how communities experience their built environment.

Experience Level 3–5 years. Applications close: 22 August.

We are looking for an experienced Studio Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of our design practice, which delivers projects for government at all levels, statutory authorities, and major contractors. While you do not need deep expertise in public procurement or tendering, an understanding of how these systems operate and the ability to work confidently in a government-facing environment will help you succeed in this role.

Our studio runs on well-established operational, quality, and compliance systems. We are looking for someone who can step into core responsibilities immediately, quickly learn our processes, and keep them running smoothly while identifying opportunities to refine and improve them.

This position suits someone with a background in operations in a design or creative environment who enjoys creating order, managing systems, and keeping projects on track. You will coordinate invoicing workflows, manage compliance records, lead our quality assurance (QA) system, oversee IT and workflow tools, and ensure the team has what they need to deliver work on time and to standard.

You will not be responsible for financial strategy or HR policy, but you will be central to ensuring these processes run efficiently, coordinating the right information at the right time and working closely with project leads, the bookkeeper, and the Director. This is a key role in supporting a planned leadership transition, with the opportunity to help shape how the studio operates.

The qualities we are looking for

System-focused you value well-structured processes, are confident working within established systems, and understand the connection between orderly workflows and great project outcomes

Meticulous you take pride in accuracy whether preparing invoicing, updating compliance records, or managing QA documentation

Reliable you follow through on tasks, keep others informed, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks

Proactive you anticipate needs, solve problems before they escalate, and look for ways to improve how we work

Collaborative you work well with project teams, leadership, and external partners, adapting to shifting priorities while maintaining structure

What you will bring

• 3–5 years' experience in operations or studio coordination in a design, architecture, or creative environment
• Proven experience in managing QA and compliance systems in a design or documentation-led practice
• Practical knowledge of compliance, invoicing workflows, and internal systems
• Comfort with Mac-based platforms, Microsoft Office, and Xero
• Experience maintaining IT systems or digital workflows in a Mac-based studio environment
• Ability to maintain accurate records for projects with government and statutory authority clients
• Excellent organisation and communication skills, with the confidence to work across multiple priorities

What you will be doing

• Coordinating monthly invoicing prep with project leads and external bookkeeper
• Maintaining compliance systems, licences, subscriptions, and quality records
• Leading and managing the studio's QA system, ensuring compliance with industry standards, keeping documentation current, and driving continuous improvement
• Leading internal systems and IT coordination including software licences and troubleshooting
• Assisting with submissions by collating information, preparing supporting documents, formatting, and tracking deadlines
• Supporting project administration such as scheduling, document control, and internal coordination
• Overseeing general studio needs

What we offer

• A full-time, studio-based role in a collaborative, design-led environment
• A team working across public realm, wayfinding, and placemaking for government and civic clients
• Friday team lunches and a supportive studio culture
• AI-powered tools to streamline tasks including document preparation for submissions
• Flexibility, ownership, and a clear path as part of a leadership transition
• Diverse responsibilities from systems management to QA leadership to submissions support that keep the role dynamic

If you are ready to step into a key operational role and keep our studio running at its best, we would love to hear from you.

Do you want me to now integrate this into your Seek and LinkedIn-ready Word document so the company profile sits alongside the short ad and headlines?