Studio Operations Manager

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.

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

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