About:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a part-time Studio Manager/Marketing assistant to work with us in a bespoke design and craft practice at the forefront of British furniture design.

The role requires an enthusiastic and organized individual with strong communication, presentation, marketing, and communications skills. Responsibilities include contributing to the smooth running and growth of the business, launching new collections, managing social media, website content, film, photography, and communication with clients, galleries, and journalists.

The successful candidate will take initial enquiries through to final delivery, help to manage budgets, deadlines and client expectations. The relationships we have built with our galleries and collectors is critical to our business, and the right person for this role will be both friendly and professional. 

The position will be 2 days a week based at our studio/workshop in Haggerston, N1 5BJ, with some degree of flexibility depending on circumstances.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to info@garethneal.co.uk, and refer to additional application notes below.

About the Company 

Gareth Neal is a progressive and innovative London-based design studio established in 2006. We design for production and site-specific projects and have a reputation for redefining traditional crafts for a contemporary audience, whether that’s collaborating with the UK’s best craftspeople, or challenging the perceptions of digital fabrication techniques within craftsmanship. The studio has a broad and exciting spectrum of design outputs across three key areas: collectables, commissions and collaborations.

Please take a look at our about page to learn more about what drives us.

Job Description – Key Responsibilities

• Communication – email correspondence with clients, galleries and retailers.

• Studio assistance – diary management, scheduling meetings, booking transport and travel arrangements, keeping project folders up to date, ordering supplies, general paperwork (e.g. contracts) and administration.

• Project assistance – document and monitor key project milestones and deadlines in the 36-month planner.

• Promotion & Marketing – responding to press enquiries, resizing images, writing copy for interviews, newsletters and website, social media updates (Instagram), updating the website via Squarespace with new projects and events (can provide training if lacking). Creating new press opportunities through interesting content generation and networking with journalists.  

• Presentations –  creating sales catalogues, client presentations & proposals, image touch up.

• Sales – research and assist Gareth (the director) in following up new enquiries and defining pricing. Searching for new sales opportunities and nurturing existing relationships. 

• Logistics - Organising work to ship and arrive to exhibitions and clients globally. 

• Finance / Bookkeeping - generating & paying invoices, keeping up to date with income and outgoings via Xero. Paying staff and freelancers. The successful applicant with work with the external accountants on the VAT return, stock lists and payroll.

  
  Candidate Key Criteria

• Excellent Communication – clear verbal, written and visual communication.

• Organised – able to prioritise tasks and bring a systemised and logical structure to work.

• Numerate – able to record financial information clearly and accurately.

• Highly computer literate – Google Drive - Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides (essential) Adobe Suite - Photoshop, InDesign (essential) 

  Social Media - Instagram, Squarespace, Campaign Monitor (desired, training can be provided) 

• Finances - Knowledge of Xero (desired, training can be provided)

• Promotion and Sales – experienced in managing social media accounts, customer relationship management, and online marketing. Creating press releases and generating exciting content. 

• Strong interest in design – able to demonstrate skills, creating clean layouts and presentations, editing images and creating eye-catching online marketing materials i.e. newsletters, website and instagram posts.  

• Resourceful and Proactive – able to take on tasks in unknown territories, learn on the go and generate new business avenues. 

• Relevant experience in studio management and some marketing experience in similar design/craft based studio practice(s). 

• Keen Interest in design, furniture and craft with knowledge of the current landscape.

Important Information

Permanent in the studio position - London N1 (with a 3-month probation period)

Part -Time (2 days a week or 16 hours)

Salary Pro Rata £25,000 - £30,000 – dependant on skills and experience.

Application Process

Please submit your CV and cover letter to info@garethneal.co.uk, including your availability, and any notice periods you may be subject to.

The applicant must be able to send across references on request. 

The application deadline is midnight Monday 4th of March 2024.

Interviews to be held the week commencing the 11th of March 2024.

The start date is flexible, but assume the beginning of April.