Studio Manager (video/photography)

Overview

Our client, a well-known tech company, is looking for a Studio Manager to work onsite in Palo Alto.

The Studio Manager oversees and enables the scoping and project execution for all Brand Team video and photography projects, working closely with photographers/videographers and editors. This role ensures that our video staff have the operational support necessary to produce high-quality, impactful content efficiently, and that our studio talent feels prepared for their studio session and satisfied with their video/photo project output.
 

Key Responsibilities

Studio and Operations Management (The Physical Space)

• Studio Scheduling: Oversee the physical and digital booking calendar for the studio space, ensuring efficient use and minimizing scheduling conflicts for internal and external shoots.

• Equipment Inventory & Asset Procurement: Coordinate with video staff to identify equipment needs, document requirements and make recommendations to Brand leadership.

• Shoot Support and Hospitality: Warmly greet all scheduled talent and guests upon arrival, conducting check-in and escorting them to the designated preparation areas. Ensure talent is checked for makeup and wardrobe. Ensure the talent understands the segment schedule, and has access to any scripts or notes.

II. Project Management and Production (The Workflow)

• Project Scoping: Define and manage the scope of work for all incoming photo and video requests, translating creative briefs into clear project plans with defined deliverables and acceptance criteria.

• Scheduling & Logistics: Develop detailed production timelines and schedules, script development and delivery, shoot logistics (location mapping, agenda drafting, travel coordination, supporting vendor briefing); Manage stakeholder communications and preparation.

• Resource Allocation: Assign internal creative resources (Photographers, Videographers, Editors, Designers, Animators) to projects based on bandwidth, skill set, and project priority.

• Workflow Optimization: Implement and enforce standardized project management methodologies and tools (Airtable) to ensure projects move smoothly from ideation through final delivery and archival. Coordinate with stakeholders to align on expectations

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years of experience managing video/photo production workflows, preferably in a large agency or an in-house corporate studio environment.

• Highly organized and able to coordinate multiple workflows, complex production schedules, team calendars, and a full roster of projects at various points of completion

• Proactive and self-sufficient, with proven ability to develop full plans, craft meeting agendas, drive communications, foresee project blockers, and deliver on time against creative briefs, all simultaneously

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, particularly when managing requesters, creative schedules, sensitive content, and multiple priority deadlines

• Basic understanding of video/photo equipment and processes.
• Strong familiarity with project management software (Airtable)