Studio Operations Manager (part-time fixed term contract)

We’re Coley Porter Bell, a global branding agency based in London and New York, and we’ve been helping world famous brands discover their Unordinary Idea for almost 50 years. Whether its multi-national businesses or local heroes, we harness the power of Unordinary Ideas to accelerate growth for ambitious brands.

We are part of CBA, a network of nine entrepreneurial studios, in turn part of WPP. We offer the global reach and breadth of talents and tech of a large agency with the agility and feel of a smaller, more collaborative environment.

Within WPP our network is affiliated with The Landor Group, the world’s largest branding business. This affiliation provides us with access to specialist branding skills, including Brand Performance, Brand-Led Employee Experience, motion and film, and Sonic Branding.

Our team members collaborate with the fantastic talent across the Landor and WPP networks, and have access to the facilities, growth, and training opportunities inherent in a large networked agency. We are based on London’s Southbank at Sea Containers, offering glorious views of the Thames and the city, just next to Blackfriars station.

What we’re looking for

We need a Studio Operations Manager to oversee the flow and resources of our creative studio, ensuring our teams can focus on what they do best. You’ll play a crucial role in making sure our creative and production teams have everything they need, from keeping projects on track to acting as our main contact for all things technology. You’ll also help foster a positive team culture, ensuring our tools and processes are efficient and up-to-date. We’re open to this position being part-time, working 3-4 days a week, or with hours split over 4-5 days.

What you’ll do

• Resource & Workflow Planning: Strategically plan and manage how our creative and production teams work across all projects. This means foreseeing needs, allocating talent effectively, managing our team schedules, and collaborating with our wider group to ensure smooth project delivery and consistent team structures.
• Talent Sourcing & Development: Proactively building and nurturing our pool of creative talent, both freelance and permanent. This involves identifying any skill gaps in the studio, helping to organise training, and maintaining our network of trusted creative professionals.
• Project Operations & Enablement: Ensuring our projects run efficiently from start to finish by coordinating specialist resources (like photographers or illustrators), managing compliance around things like font usage, and making sure work flows smoothly through to final delivery.
• IT Coordination: You’ll be the primary contact for our studio’s technology needs. This includes arranging IT setup for new team members, helping to resolve technical issues quickly, overseeing our computer equipment, and ensuring our digital files and past work are well-organised and accessible.
• Studio & Creative Team Support: You’ll provide key support to our creative leadership, help implement our learning and development plans, and ensure all new creative team members are seamlessly integrated into our ways of working and feel part of our culture.

What you’ll need

• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Proven ability to manage projects from start to finish, keeping everything on track.
• A proactive mindset, always looking ahead and spotting potential challenges before they arise.
• A knack for finding creative solutions and adapting quickly to new situations and priorities.
• Previous experience working within branding or design agencies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable collaborating with colleagues, freelancers, and clients.
• A genuine interest in supporting creative talent and fostering a positive, inclusive team environment.
• Comfortable with technology and keen to be the go-to person for IT coordination, even if you’re not a tech expert.
• An ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritise effectively in a busy, dynamic workplace.
• A collaborative spirit and a willingness to step in and help where needed to support the wider team.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Coley Porter Bell, a WPP company, is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics, committed to a culture of respect where everyone belongs and can progress in their careers.