Title: Studio Operations Manager
Contract: Permanent, PAYE, with 4-month probation period and 2-month notice period
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with light out-of-hours responsibilities.
Location: Baltic Studios, 1-2 Baltic Place, London, N1 5AQ
Pay: £40,000-45,000 p.a. base salary, depending on experience, plus a generous bonus structure proportionate to studio bookings (to be discussed during interview)
About Baltic
Baltic is a growing recording studio complex in Haggerston, East London.
Studio 1, our flagship writing and recording space, has been open since 2012. It has played host to projects by Bjork, Skepta, Arctic Monkeys, Fatima, Wizkid, and many more inspiring artists.
Studio 2 is a large, single-room daylight studio, as well suited to bands as it is to orchestral sessions and listening parties. Studio 3 is a daylight writing, production, mix & atmos room with top of the range monitoring and outboard.
Our not-for-profit programme funded by Arts Council England, Baltic ATM, tackles inequalities in access to music, working alongside community partners to support the artistic development of musicians facing financial barriers.
The role
The Studio Operations Manager will be at the centre of Baltic’s day to day running and development, ensuring Baltic is set up to provide an unparalleled service for artists, engineers and producers. As well as overseeing operations and managing the team, they will take the lead bringing new business into the studios, particularly the new spaces Studio 2 and Studio 3. Baltic is a fast evolving company and, alongside the Executive Director and Engineer, the Studio Operations Manager will drive the ongoing development of its strategy, brand, and spaces. They will also manage the operations for Baltic ATM, our not-for-profit programme.
The Studio Operations Manager will be employed full-time, Monday to Friday, 40h per week. They will have a paid annual leave allowance of 28 days per year plus bank holidays and discretionary automatic time off between 24 December and 1 January each year. Given the studio’s round-the-clock opening hours, they may occasionally need to respond to urgent matters out of hours.
This position presents an experienced manager in the industry with the opportunity to take a leading role in shaping a growing studio. There is scope in this role for the Studio Operations Manager to pursue their own ambitions by developing new strands to Baltic’s services.
Responsibilities
Strategic
- Nurturing relationships with potential and existing clients and partners in order to bring business into the studios, with a focus on newly opened spaces, Studio 2 and Studio 3.
- Alongside the Executive Director, overseeing the ongoing development and implementation of Baltic’s strategy, brand identity, and business plan.
- Growing Baltic’s social media and working with subcontractors to market the studios, manage ‘search engine optimisation’ campaigns and keep the website up to date.
- Managing the Arts Council-funded Baltic ATM programme, including liaising with partners and artists, scheduling events and sessions, and strategic planning. Securing continuation funding will be a top ‘key performance indicator’.
- Capacity allowing, working with the Executive Director and Engineer to develop the studios (design, equipment, facilities) and deliver special projects (e.g. residencies).
Operational:
- Overseeing studio bookings and diary management (day-to-day is mostly carried out by the Engineer).
- Line managing the Engineer and Assistant Engineer (vacant post), in addition to wider HR responsibilities such as recruitment. Striving to make Baltic the industry leader regarding working conditions.
- Overseeing the financial management of the company, including managing the relationship with Baltic’s accountants and reviewing financial reports.
- Premises management: with the support of contractors and the Engineer, ensuring that Baltic’s spaces are kept secure, in good condition, and with good facilities.
- Ensuring Baltic’s compliance and security, including in relation to data (GDPR), health & safety, and other legal considerations.
Additional:
- Additional responsibilities, according to need, commensurate with the role profile, hours, and pay.
Person Specification
Essential criteria:
- At least 3 years of experience working as a recording studio manager or in a similar role within the creative industries.
- An unwavering passion for music and high quality recording.
- A track record of pursuing and nurturing relationships with clients to support business development.
- Experience of being responsible for budgets.
- Experience of line management, ensuring a supportive relationship and good working conditions.
- A reasonable technical understanding of recording equipment.
- Active alignment with Baltic’s commitment to equality within and beyond the music industry, including racial and gender equality.
Desirable (but not essential) criteria:
- A strong knowledge of recording equipment and software, including vintage microphones, outboard effects, monitoring, and mixing consoles.
- Experience of financial planning and accounting.
- Experience successfully managing a small team.
How to Apply
Baltic is committed to equality, inclusion, and social justice, and we particularly welcome applications from people from backgrounds which are typically under-represented in the recording industry, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, women and gender non-conforming people.
To apply for this role, please email jobs@baltic.com with the subject line ‘Application: Studio Operations Manager’. Please attach a cover letter and CV in pdf format (max. 2 pages for each document).
In your cover letter, please discuss your motivation and suitability for the role. Demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification (above) by drawing on examples.