Studio Operations Manager

Smoking Gun Interactive Inc.; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Relocation Assistance

Training & Development

Job summary

Smoking Gun Interactive in Vancouver is seeking a Studio Operations Manager to balance operations and project management in a hybrid environment. You will ensure the downtown office runs smoothly, remove obstacles for creative teams, and drive initiatives that improve culture and processes.

You will work with the Studio Head and Production Director to manage budgets, onboarding, events, and daily workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operations, project management, or studio administration.
• Self-driven, hands-on, effective individual contributor in a small studio.
• Strong project management skills from concept to completion.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with internal and external partners.
• Experience managing small operational budgets with approvals and expenditures.
• Ability to commute to downtown Vancouver 2–3 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day office needs at the downtown Vancouver location, on-site several days weekly.
• Coordinate with building management for space needs and attend to building requirements.
• Monitor and restock office supplies within a predefined budget and seek approvals for out-of-scope expenses.
• Drive studio initiatives like performance reviews, tool chain updates, and onboarding improvements.
• Autonomously push projects forward while aligning with leadership on outcomes.
• Lead the events committee and plan company events with estimated costs.
• Plan and execute approved events and improve internal workflows and operations.
• Maintain studio documentation and internal communications regarding updates or events.
• Collaborate with Keywords Studio groups/region as needed and support staff day-to-day needs.

Skills

Operations management

Project management

Studio administration

Budget management

Vendor coordination

Communication

Job description

Company Description

Smoking Gun Interactive, a Keywords Studio (joined in 2022), is an industry-leading game development studio founded in 2007 by award-winning industry veterans. SGI is fearless in creating IP and boldly partners with renowned brands to develop a wide range of world-class, immersive titles and interactive experiences that resonate with strategy gamers worldwide and entertain millions of casual players every day.

Job Overview

As the Studio Operations Manager, you will be the driving force behind our day-to-day studio environment and key internal initiatives. Operating as a hybrid between operations and project management, you will ensure our downtown Vancouver office runs smoothly while spearheading projects that enhance our studio culture and processes. Working closely with the Studio Head and Production Director, your mission is to act as a hands‑on individual contributor who removes roadblocks, champions studio initiatives, and creates a supportive, well‑managed environment so our creative talent can focus on building great games.

• Whilst this position is being offered on a hybrid basis, we are only able to consider applicants who are located in the BC area, willing to travel at least once a month to downtown Vancouver or open to relocate to the BC area

In this role, you will:

• Manage day‑to‑day office needs in our downtown Vancouver location, working on‑site at least a few days a week;
• Ensure building needs are attended to within our rented space and coordinate with building management as necessary;
• Monitor and restock office supplies, managing a pre‑defined budget for standard office needs and seeking approval for out‑of‑scope expenses;
• Drive forward critical studio initiatives that leadership needs support executing, such as coordinating performance review cycles, rolling out tool chain updates, and improving onboarding processes;
• Act autonomously to push projects ahead while regularly aligning with the Studio Head or Production Director to ensure outcomes meet studio standards and reflect studio culture;
• Spearhead the events committee to propose events and associated costs to studio leadership for approval;
• Plan and execute approved company events with the events committee;
• Drive continuous improvement of internal workflows and daily studio operations;
• Maintain studio documentation and internal communications regarding operational updates or events;
• Work alongside broader Keywords Studio groups / region as needed;
• Communicate with all levels of the company and present initiative rollouts;
• General staff support, inclusive of liaising coordination;
• Assist with various duties and follow ups to support staff with day‑to‑day needs

To be successful in this role, you must have:

• 5+ years of experience in operations, project management, or studio administration, ideally within the games, tech, or creative industries;
• A naturally self‑driven, hands‑on demeanor with the ability to act as a highly effective individual contributor in a small studio environment;
• Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to take internal initiatives from concept to completion;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of collaborating effectively with external vendors and internal departments;
• Experience managing small operational budgets and keeping meticulous track of approvals and expenditures;
• Excellent critical thinking, organizational, and problem‑solving skills;
• Ability to accept and provide direction, work well under pressure, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
• A positive attitude and a great team‑player mindset;
• Ability to commute to and work from the downtown Vancouver office at least 2‑3 days per week

Benefits

• 10 days vacation leave
• 5 paid days personal leave
• 7 paid sick days
• Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Extended Healthcare Benefit
• Dental Care
• RRSP/DPSP matching
• Hybrid working
• Training & Development
• Relocation Assistance

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 CAD

Smoking Gun Interactive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY

By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice.

Role Information: EN

Studio: Smoking Gun

Location: Americas, Canada, Vancouver

Area of Work: Game Development

Service: Create

Employment Type: Full Time

Working Pattern: Remote