Studio Director

ATOLYE; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Studio Director to lead strategic initiatives and operational excellence. In this pivotal role, you will cultivate client relationships, oversee project delivery, and develop a cohesive team strategy. You will engage with the community and drive thought leadership, ensuring the studio is aligned with innovative practices. If you have a passion for design and a proven track record in leadership, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in creative services and design.
• 5+ years in a leadership role with a proven track record.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate strong client relationships and oversee project delivery.
• Define and execute People Strategy for studio team alignment.

Skills

Client Engagement

Strategic Leadership

Project Management

People Strategy Development

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Design or Related Field

Master's Degree in Business Administration or Related Field

Job description

The Studio Director is a pivotal role that encompasses a broad range of responsibilities merging strategic studio leadership with operational oversight to drive ATÖLYE’s expansion and ensure operational excellence.

This senior-level position requires a unique blend of strategic foresight, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of the design and creative industries. The role will ensure growing cohesive and innovative internal team dynamics.

Main Responsibilities

Client Engagement :

• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for key accounts.
• Collaborate with clients to understand their business objectives, challenges, and design needs, and translate them into actionable creative strategies and roadmaps.
• Anticipate client needs, provide strategic guidance, and deliver innovative solutions that drive client satisfaction and loyalty.
• Oversee delivery of client projects and programs at a Director level.
• Guide head of Project Managers and Design Directors in the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple design projects concurrently, ensuring adherence to quality standards, timelines, and budgets with effective change management.
• Collaborate with project managers, designers, and other stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, and deliverables.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement proactive measures to mitigate issues and ensure successful project outcomes.

Studio People Strategy & Operational Excellence

• Define, execute and monitor a comprehensive People Strategy in collaboration with Design Directors and other key internal stakeholders, ensuring the Studio team is equipped and aligned with ATÖLYE’s strategic goals.
• Oversee resource allocation, project staffing, and workload management to ensure optimal project outcomes and team efficiency.
• Effective budget management to allocate resources wisely for recruitment, training, and other people-related initiatives ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with financial objectives.
• Oversee, mentor, motivate, and develop a core team of ~20 consultants managed by respective heads of practice, encouraging continuous learning and professional growth.

Community Engagement & Thought Leadership :

• Engage with the broader community through events, thought leadership, and public relations efforts to build a robust network of clients, partners, and industry leaders, reinforcing ATÖLYE’s position in the market - overseeing the fostering and development of a broader collaborator pool of 100 practitioners across various practices.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience (at least 5 years in a leadership role) in creative services, design and consulting with a proven track record of successfully delivering impact-driven design and innovation projects for multinational clients.
• Experience in developing and executing People Strategies, including talent acquisition, management, coaching, team development, and operational excellence.
• Comfortable working in a feedback culture with excellent collaboration skills in managing multiple leads and client accounts simultaneously.
• A solid understanding of engagement practices in the creative services and consulting domain, including project scoping, teaming, pricing, negotiating, and contracting.
• Experience in participating in design reviews, retros and IP-development sprints as needed.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and build consensus among stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.