Freelance Studio Manager, BEST
** This listing is no longer accepting applications. **
BEST, an all-remote, flexible, fast, multi-disciplinary creative studio that touts itself as “the art department of the future,” is looking for a freelance studio manager.
A few things interested candidates should know about this role before we get into details:
- You can be located anywhere! This role is remote.
- The current studio manager describes herself as “the perfect ying to a creative yang” and the right candidate for this role should be on the same wavelength.
- In this role you’ll be working closely with BEST’s founder, Alison Matheny. Get to know her via this quick bio: After working in various New York City boutique design firms and as a design director for two Condé Nast publications, Alison jumped out of the corporate bubble and has been helming BEST ever since. She prides herself in the integrity of the studio’s work and process, loves to ideate a womb-to-tomb campaign and a witty piece of merch.
- The Studio Manager will be expected to take management initiative and contribute new ideas on how to creatively grow and pitch business
- BEST has committed itself to furthering equity and inclusion in the creative industry. You can read more about that here: keepitbest.com/accountability
Job Description:
The primary role of the studio manager is to confidently pitch and sell through business. Once sold, they will be responsible for working with the Studio’s Creative Director and founder, Alison (and eventually a bookkeeper), to onboard the BEST team members and kick the project off in Asana. From there, they will be hands-off unless needed until the end of the project when Alison will pull them back in to pitch ongoing business.
Right now most of our inquiries come from the website or outreach to the studio@ email address (which will go to this person). This is a position ripe for development—ideas welcome! When inquiry weeks are light, they will utilize their time to manage the BEST LinkedIn and work with Alison on developing new offerings and quarterly goals.
The Studio Manager is often someone’s first experience of BEST, so it’s essential that they take seriously the integrity and values of the Studio. This person will need to have a solid understanding of the creative industry and how BEST both fits in, and stands out. Style notes: they’re looking for a team member who is sales-focused, collected, low drama, and thoughtful. They should be detail-oriented, professional but witty, and know their way around a budget. It’s absolutely essential to have an ease, professionalism, and natural salesmanship in speaking with/presenting to clients.
Requirements:
Experience managing project budgets
Great understanding of the creative industry and how BEST fits into it
Proficiency with the full Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar)
Basic understanding of InDesign
Understanding of the Asana platform and/or willingness to learn
It’s a bonus if you:
Have a love for managing brand LinkedIn accounts
Are Adobe Suite proficient
Have experience working in creative and alongside other creatives
Time Commitments & Rate:
Time commitment is roughly 15 hours M-F, with the availability to check email at least twice daily and be timely and responsive to new inquiries with a 24hr turnaround
Must be available for meetings / calls during Eastern Standard time (9-4PM EST)
The rate is $1500/mo (freelance)
The role will start out with a 2 month trial, beginning ASAP
About BEST
BEST works with its clients to communicate their ideas—clearly and in a fresh way. Their unique, collaborative and flexible process allows the team to think and design holistically so that branding lives past trends and allows for evolution over time.
BEST is committed to life /work/ art integration rather than balance which in turn encourages environmental, cultural, artistic and human synergy. Further, they’re actively creating systemic changes that promote an equitable society which is inclusive, diverse and accessible.
As a remote studio, project teams are assembled custom to client and needs of scope. While they have a "full-time" core team in place, they also tap into a select network of creatives (photographers, illustrators, web developers) who they activate as needed. They also often utilize their DEI partner to make sure they’re showing up in the most inclusive way possible. This structure allows them to remain lean, flexible and deliver the best fit of team-to-need.
To apply, email your resume, and a paragraph about yourself, and what you would bring to the table in this role to founder Alison Matheny at a@keepitbest.com with the subject line “Backstory Referral: Studio Manager”
Backstory Responsibility Statement
This position has been hand vetted by the Backstory Jobs team, ensuring that the company is actively invested in its DEI (diversity, inclusion, and equity) efforts. As people from historically minoritized backgrounds ourselves, we understand the specific challenges that people from these communities face in getting hired, and understand our responsibility in operating our jobs board. While we have vetted posted roles to the best of our ability, we cannot be held liable for any dissatisfaction that occurs during or after the hiring process. But, should an offense or injustice occur, please let us know at thebackstorynetwork@tellyourbackstory.com and we’ll do our best to help troubleshoot and offer up support.