Operations Manager

Archer Office Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Office Pty Ltd, a culture-focused architecture practice, seeks an Operations Manager to lead finance, resourcing, systems and business operations. This role translates strategic goals into operational processes, enabling the studio to operate with clarity, discipline, and accountability.

You will oversee budgets, forecasting, reporting, HR, and IT, driving sustainable growth across cultural, transport and commercial projects while collaborating closely with the Director and Associates.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years' experience in operations, practice management, or business management (architecture, design, or professional services preferred).
• Demonstrated experience managing financial and operational performance.
• Strong operational and financial acumen, with understanding of how a design practice functions as a business.
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and systems.
• Analytical and data-driven; able to interpret financial and operational information.
• Clear communicator across all levels of the studio.
• Proactive and solution-oriented with focus on continuous improvement.
• Experience with project management tools (Total Synergy, Asana, Monday).
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets for budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational management of the studio.
• Develop and refine practice systems including PM, resourcing, QA, reporting.
• Maintain and improve processes for scalability and consistency.
• Oversee IT systems and external service providers.
• Collaborate with Director on budgets and financial forecasts.
• Oversee cash flow, invoicing, AR/AP, and financial reporting.
• Track and report project performance: fees, budgets, resourcing, profitability.
• Oversee HR processes including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, staff records.

Skills

Operations management

Organised

Analytical

Communication

Proactive problem solving

Budgeting

Forecasting

Reporting

Tools

Total Synergy

Asana

Monday.com

Job description

Archer Office creates finely crafted architecture with a strong cultural and community focus. The team is currently working on a range of cultural, performing arts, transport, and sports infrastructure for government clients, alongside commercial and residential projects.

About the role

The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective, efficient, and financially sound operation of the practice. This role provides leadership across finance, resourcing, systems, and business operations, ensuring the studio is structured to support high-quality design outcomes and sustainable growth. Working closely with the Director and Associates, the Operations Lead translates strategic goals into operational systems, financial oversight, and performance tracking, enabling the practice to operate with clarity, discipline, and accountability.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the studio, ensuring smooth and efficient workflows.
• Develop, implement, and refine practice systems, including project management, resourcing, QA, and reporting.
• Maintain and improve operational processes to support scalability and consistency.
• Oversee IT systems, software platforms, and external service providers.
• Work with the Director to develop and manage practice budgets and financial forecasts.
• Oversee cash flow, invoicing, accounts receivable/payable, and financial reporting.
• Track and report on project performance — fees, budgets, resourcing, and profitability.
• Oversee studio-wide resourcing, balancing workloads across projects and team members.
• Ensure projects are set up correctly and tracked consistently.
• Oversee HR processes including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, and staff records.

About you

• 5–10+ years' experience in operations, practice management, or business management (architecture, design, or professional services preferred)
• Demonstrated experience managing financial and operational performance
• Strong operational and financial acumen, with a clear understanding of how a design practice functions as a business.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and systems simultaneously.
• Analytical and data-driven, able to interpret financial and operational information.li>
• Clear communicator, able to work across all levels of the studio.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Project management tools (e.g. Total Synergy, Asana, Monday)
• Advanced Excel / Google Sheets (budgeting, forecasting, reporting)

Your application will include the following questions

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
• What's your expected annual base salary?
• How many years' experience do you have as an operations manager?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• Do you have Budget Forecasting experience?
• How many years' experience do you have as a People and Performance Manager?