The Studio Manager - Asset Factory Melbourne
Location: Richmond, Melbourne (on-site)
Employment Type: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Operations Director (NZ) & General Manager (Australia)
Direct reports: Studio team in Melbourne + freelance/contract crew as required
About Asset Factory
Asset Factory is a leading content production studio specialising in automated, high-volume and creative ecommerce content. With state-of-the-art technology, an agile team, and a strong customer-first approach, we help brands elevate product storytelling through consistent, efficient and beautifully executed imagery and video.
While we are well known for work in fashion, apparel and accessories, our services also support a growing range of verticals including Health & Beauty, Homewares, FMCG, and Food & Drink. Our Melbourne studio is a key growth hub for the business, partnering closely with Auckland and client teams across ANZ to deliver scalable, high-quality content for ecommerce, marketplaces, wholesale and campaigns.
We're looking for a Studio Manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings confident people leadership, and is committed to delivering exceptional client outcomes across multiple categories, while being highly process driven, organised and disciplined, with a strong understanding of the importance of upholding systems and procedures.
Role Overview
The Studio Manager leads the day-to-day operation of the Melbourne studio. You're responsible for ensuring shoots run smoothly, deadlines are met, quality is consistent, clients feel supported, and the team performs at a high level across a diverse mix of products and production styles.
This role blends operational leadership, workflow optimisation, scheduling, client service, quality control, and people management. You'll be the key on-site owner of studio performance and culture.
Key Responsibilities
Studio Operations & Workflow
• Lead daily studio operations to deliver efficient, consistent, high-quality output across fashion, beauty, homewares, FMCG and food/drink shoots.
• Own the production calendar: scheduling, bookings, capacity planning, and resource allocation across photography, video, styling and post-production support.
• Ensure all shoots are fully prepared and studio-ready (products/briefs received, sets and equipment prepared, talent booked, run sheets confirmed).
• Monitor delivery against deadlines, production targets and client requirements; escalate risks early with options and solutions.
• Maintain studio readiness including spaces, sets, equipment and consumables, coordinate maintenance and replacements.
• Uphold Work Health & Safety (WHS) standards and safe working practices.
Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, coach and support a small Melbourne studio team to hit daily and weekly targets.
• Run daily WIP/production stand-ups and regular 1:1s to drive clarity, performance and morale.
• Coordinate and brief freelancers and external crew, ensuring alignment with Asset Factory standards and category-specific requirements.
• Build a positive, accountable, high-performing culture that stays calm under volume.
• Identify skill gaps and support training and development.
Client Experience & Communication
• Be the primary on-site point of contact for clients during shoots and DIY bookings.
• Manage inbound enquiries and consultations with a responsive, customer-centric approach.
• Translate client requirements into clear briefs and shoot plans, collaborating with stylists, and freelancers on shot lists, styling guides and creative direction.
• Host studio tours and contribute to pitching and onboarding new clients across multiple verticals.
• Provide regular, clear updates on progress, deliverables and timelines.
Quality Control & Post-Production Interface
• Own studio quality control to ensure all imagery/video meets Asset Factory and client standards.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve creatively and operationally to maintain quality without missing deadlines.
• Ensure clean, complete handover to post-production, including briefing and priorities.
• Monitor post-production flow to ensure turnaround targets are met, flag bottlenecks and drive fixes.
Administration & Reporting
• Maintain accurate job tracking in Click Up and related tools.
• Produce weekly studio reporting to the GM (AU) and Operations Director (NZ), including capacity, delivery, risks and rework trends.
• Support forecasting and operational planning (people, studio time, equipment, freelancer needs).
• Contribute to continuous improvement and growth initiatives that strengthen client relationships and studio performance across verticals.
Skills & Experience
Essential
• 2+ years' experience managing a photography/content/production studio or leading a small team in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to run schedules, manage competing priorities, and deliver to client timelines.
• Proven people leadership capability: coaching, performance feedback, and building team accountability.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail; comfortable with high throughput and multitasking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confident client-facing communication.
• Practical problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
• Customer-centric mindset with a focus on proactive service.
Preferred
• Experience producing ecommerce content across multiple categories such as fashion, health & beauty, homewares, FMCG, and food/drink.
• Familiarity with structured production workflows and deadline-driven environments.
• Exposure to content production systems (e.g., ClickUp, Monday, Asana)
Performance Expectations (first 3–6 months)
• Meet or exceed studio KPIs for volume, quality and on-time delivery across a mixed-vertical pipeline.
• Run effective daily production/WIP meetings that keep work flowing and priorities clear.
• Ensure scheduling maximises studio utilisation while meeting client deadlines.
• Maintain consistent image/video turnaround times (target: under 5 working days, unless otherwise agreed).
• Reduce rework/reshoots through stronger prep and QC.
• Maintain high accuracy in ClickUp project data, briefs and handovers.
• Support adoption and improvement of workflow technologies and SOPs.
• Uphold Asset Factory brand values and WHS practices.
• Build a productive, collaborative, high-trust team culture.
Why Join Asset Factory?
• Work with innovative automated studio technology at scale.
• Join a supportive, creative team with real opportunities for growth.
• Play a key leadership role in Melbourne's flagship studio.
• Collaborate with leading ANZ brands across fashion, beauty, homewares, FMCG and food/drink.