The Role
Lead day-to-day business operations of a design studio, driving operational excellence, financial oversight, resourcing, and administrative services. Collaborate with studio leadership and SOM peers to implement strategy, monitor project performance and wellbeing, improve processes and policies, and foster a positive studio culture that supports delivery and engagement.
Summary Generated by Built In
Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.
We are a multi-disciplinary practice of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, landscape architects and sustainability experts who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and city-shapers, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We're proud to be a Certified B Corporation and one of Canada's Greenest Employers, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.
The Studio Operations Manager (SOM) is a unique position that is responsible for managing our design studio on behalf of the Partnership. Through effective management of the practice and the business, you’ll help create an environment that enables pre-eminent design and supports the local studio culture. You will also collaborate with your SOM peers across DIALOG, connecting the studios and helping us work seamlessly as one design practice without internal borders. Your understanding of our industry along with your business acumen, and your demonstrated evidence of delivering impactful results set you up for success as SOM. You are an optimistic, organized person who loves collaborating with others.
How you'll make a difference:
- Reporting to the Director of Studio Operations, the SOM serves as the Managing Partner’s representative within the studio and works closely with the Studio Chair, Partners, Senior Management Team, and other leaders. The SOM drives operational excellence by improving the efficiency of processes and procedures, strengthening and sustaining DIALOG’s internal capacity and performance, and fostering a positive studio culture that supports DIALOGer engagement and success.
- The SOM is responsible for the day-to-day business operations of a DIALOG studio. Working closely with the Studio Chair and partners, and working across teams, the SOM provides leadership for the implementation of the strategic plan and oversight of studio financials and administrative services
- The SOM monitors overall studio Design Practice project performance, resourcing, team capacity, and collaborates with SOM peers for problem solving and providing cross studio support to the practice and project delivery
- Your leadership and guidance will help the studio both strategically and operationally. You will co-chair studio weekly Partners’ meetings; facilitate inter-studio coordination and collaboration; and make certain that teams are performing effectively
- By regularly taking the pulse of projects, you will collaborate with teams to monitor project team wellbeing, achievements of sustainability targets, and financial performance
- Your management of studio business will include implementation and improvement of guidelines, policies, and processes such as financial projections, receivables, expenses, effort, overtime, and vacation accruals
- You will lead the general administrative services team for the studio, aligning approaches with DIALOG’s overall direction and yet responding to the local needs of the unique culture of your studio
Who you are:
- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years in professional services, project management and leadership experience
- Post-secondary education in Business Administration, the design professions or related fields
- Broad understanding of accounting, human resources, technology, project management, marketing, and general administration
- Prior experience in strategic development, business development, project management and client management is considered an asset
- Possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, flexibility and resourcefulness
- Ability to collaborate with many stakeholders with an openness for distributed leadership and decision making
- Can prepare and present high impact business cases, analyses, and recommendations to the partnership and leadership team(s)
- Proficient change management skills, ability to challenge and contribute to leadership development
- Shape and run operational activities of the studio teams and set clear targets to achieve studio goals
Don’t meet every single requirement? We still encourage you to apply! We’re looking for future DIALOGers who are eager to learn, bring unique perspectives, and want to make a real difference in the world—even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification.
Perks & Benefits
Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work/life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy.
Professional Development
DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include: CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation™ supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities.
Equal Opportunity
DIALOG celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive environment for all, free of discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and race. In accordance with DIALOG’s Accommodation Policy, accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates throughout the selection process.
Skills Required
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience
- Minimum of 5 years in professional services, project management and leadership
- Post-secondary education in Business Administration, design professions, or related fields
- Broad understanding of accounting, human resources, technology, project management, marketing, and general administration
- Experience implementing and improving guidelines, policies, and processes (financial projections, receivables, expenses, effort, overtime, vacation accruals)
- Ability to prepare and present business cases, analyses, and recommendations to partnership and leadership
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, flexibility and resourcefulness
- Ability to collaborate with many stakeholders and support distributed leadership and decision making
- Proficient change management skills and ability to contribute to leadership development
- Prior experience in strategic development, business development, project management and client management
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The Company
What We Do
Hello. Glad you stopped by. In fact, we were hoping you’d stop by because we’re unabashedly passionate about design and love to connect with those who feel the same. We’re a team of architects, urban planners, interior designers, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who truly believe design can, and should, meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share. And we don’t just say that. We mean it! We’ve come together because we see the important challenges facing communities becoming increasingly complex. We believe the diverse perspectives and expertise of our multidisciplinary team uniquely position us to tackle these challenges in ways our competitors can't. We even have clients who would tell you we’ve made the impossible possible! Our work includes designing for urban vibrancy, health and wellness, transportation, education, arts and culture, residential, retail, and commercial, as well as mixed-use solutions which incorporate an increasing number of these. As a group of creatives, we’re known as people who think outside the box. But the truth is we’re usually pushing, pulling, cutting, carving, sketching and modelling our clients' needs that eventually become places for communities to enjoy. If you’re interested in thinking outside the box with us, we want to hear from you
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