Studio Operations Manager

Dotdash Meredith • Des Moines, IA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Creative Services team, in the People Inc. Brand Partnerships & Licensing group, is responsible for the execution of product and lifestyle photography for the Better Homes & Gardens Collection, sold exclusively at Walmart. Reporting to the Executive Creative Director, the Studio Operations Manager leads the photography production for the Des Moines studio, managing multiple projects from planning through delivery in support of retail launch timelines and marketing priorities. This role is responsible for leading all photography projects in flight and communicating the status of pre and post production deliverables to respective stakeholders. We are looking for an experienced project manager who can lead complex cross-functional creative projects while managing a team, shifting priorities, and timelines to meet business objectives. As a people leader, this position builds strong studio culture by setting best practices, supporting team development, and holding high standards for performance, while applying a strong aesthetic eye and deep understanding of brand standards to deliver consistently high-quality photography. Full in office (Des Moines) In-office Expectations: This position is a fully in-office role due to the nature of the work being done.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent related experience
• 3+ years experience in a people management role
• 5+ years experience in a creative agency environment with leadership and project management duties
• Proven track record of successful project management/execution
• Experience managing a production/resource budget
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong aesthetic eye for high-quality photo production across all studio outputs
• Must excel at collaborative cross functional work internally and with external stakeholders
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization
• Strong experience leading and inspiring cross-functional teams and collaborating with senior leadership
• Ability to work independently and on a team taking direction from multiple project leaders
• Computer skills using Google Suite (Sheets, Docs, Slides), Miro, Airtable a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end execution of product and lifestyle photography inclusive of both pre-production and post-production.
• Establish and maintain clear production calendars, timelines, and priorities across multiple work streams and various deadlines.
• Own external stakeholder relationships as the lead decision-maker, representing the studio with Product Development teams, Suppliers, Production Vendors, Walmart, etc.
• Responsible for prioritization, scheduling, risk identification, and cross-functional alignment for the photo studio workflow.
• Manage a team of studio associates focused on photography production (Senior Prop Stylist, Prop Styling Assistant, Photo Coordinator and freelancers), overseeing day-to-day operations (schedules, sample intake, invoicing, asset management, etc.)
• Support team members with clarity, preparation, and resources for upcoming work.
• Address performance issues directly and professionally.
• Budget management: create, forecast, and track fiscal year and monthly production budgets.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager