Primary Brand(s): Premium
Reports to: TBD
About the Position:
ANN INC. is looking for an experienced Managing Director, for our new in-house photography studio. Ideal candidate will own, operate, and lead our new NYC based content studio. We’re looking for someone with extensive experience who has built and run a photo studio, who has a proven ability to ramp-up, plan, optimize and scale our production. This role will also be responsible for establishing successful internal and external partnerships, setting and executing short and long-term strategies, and implementing systems to create scale.
Ideal candidate will be able to lead a best in class studio designed for optimal flow, lead continuous improvement of the studio to maximize capacity, increase operational efficiency, and ensure image and copy standards are consistently met. Managing Director will oversee a diverse team with responsibility over studio calendar, studio budgets, & studio operations. You will build strong partnerships with marketing, merchandising, operations, technology, and finance teams, removing roadblocks for your team to ensure a flawless studio experience, with a focus on consistently innovating and raising the bar.
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who is detail oriented, organized, and demonstrates comfort with ambiguity. A positive attitude is a must with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The candidate will possess the ability to succeed with minimal guidance, be skilled at anticipating problems, and managing a large team.
Responsibilities:
Responsible for the overall management and supervision of the photo studios calendar, operations, budgeting, end to end project management, resource coordination, and team management
Develop a long-term capacity strategy, workforce, and workflow planning for studio operations
Continuously improve productivity and processes and keep studio procedures up to date and well-documented, ensuring they are communicated proactively to full-time staff and freelancers
Drives continuous improvement and innovation by adopting industry trends
Develop and manage financial budgets including capital and expenses for item count and facilities needs
Create, maintain and monitor reports to ensure critical information is going out to all studio and partner teams
Develop and retain high-caliber teams by assessing current and future needs, and developing a holistic organizational model that scales with the needs of the business
Collaborates closely with marketing, merchandising, and digital operations teams to achieve business objective
Builds, leads and manages a best in class photo studio team consisting of approximately 12 team members
Train, manage and provide strong leadership and mentorship to the team
Oversee studio calendars, and equipment inventory tracking systems
Oversee the development training materials and guides as needed including thoroughly documenting all processes and procedures
Must be willing to be “hands on” to solve problems.
About You:
You are a risk taker—a dreamer who delivers. You have big ideas and can implement them with a positive attitude. You pride yourself on being the first of your friends to know what’s happening in the world. You have a passion for innovation in photography & film.
Functional Competencies:
Demonstrated ability to manage high volumes of workflow including prioritization, planning and task delegation under tight deadlines
Strong negotiation and budget management skills
Previous experience leading a high-volume photography & video studio
Experience creating/measuring productivity and other operational metrics
Proven experience leveraging technology and process improvement methodology to drive continuous innovation and improvement on a large scale
Working knowledge on all areas of Product Photography, Model and Still Life
Interpersonal Competencies: Experience successfully leading teams/functions through change
Proven ability to effectively build and manage relationships
Proven strength in both verbal and written communication, including ability to create and deliver presentations to senior management and large groups
You are a proactive problem solver who operates effectively and independently, even in areas of uncertainty and ambiguity
You are intellectually curious, technically savvy, and maintain a sense of humor and humility.
Requirements:
Bachelor degree in business or related field or equivalent experience
Minimum 10 – 15 years of experience running a high volume, high production photo/film studio with strong studio business and operations background
Proven track record of leading and inspiring a large team
Expertise in budgeting, planning, and managing an extensive shoot schedules
Excellent technical skills and prior experience evaluating and implementing studio technologies
Expert at creating and analyzing operational performance metrics
Experience building out / expanding ecommerce photo studios
Working knowledge of continuous improvement concepts including lean, six sigma and/or 5S
Knowledgeable with Canon photography equipment
Knowledgeable in Sample Management & Digital Asset Management Techniques for creative photography/ film processes
Leadership Competencies
Ability to model ANN INC.’s core values.
The ability to anticipate business issues & influence managerial attention
Ability to clearly state the vision and then successfully translate that vision into executable steps
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