Studio Manager - Job Description - July 2023

  • 1.5 – 2 days per week (hours to be agreed)

  • £160/day, freelance

  • Location: Camberwell, South London with some home-working 

  • Permanent

  • Deadline for applications: 24th July 2023

Chase Gardens is a small, busy garden design and creative maintenance studio based in Camberwell, south London. The business has been growing steadily since 2018 and now has an extensive client-base of mostly residential gardens. The team is currently made up of director Charlie Chase Audsley, one full-time gardener, two part-time gardeners and a part-time Studio Manager who is leaving the team.

Chase Gardens are looking for a new Studio Manager to oversee the administration of the business and work closely and collaboratively with the team to support their work. Our maintenance works forms the core of the business and the Studio Manager is critical in keeping this running smoothly. Chase is taking on more design projects as we expand, and a critical part of the Studio Manager role is to keep a close eye on these and work collaboratively with the Director, Charlie, to manage budgets, programmes and client communication.

This is a permanent role and may have some opportunity for expansion for the right person.

The role will include:

  • Tracking and responding to all client enquiries

  • Scheduling maintenance clients

  • Issuing invoices to clients via QuickBooks

  • Tracking income and expenditure closely and working with Chase’s external accountant to file tax and VAT returns

  • Ordering plants and materials for maintenance jobs and larger projects  

  • Liaising closely with clients to build and maintain positive relationships

  • Working closely with the Director on project planning, scheduling and budgeting

  • Team development, including managing quarterly appraisals and organising team away-days; identifying development opportunities within the team

  • Overseeing and updating the website

The ideal candidate would have experience in the following areas:  

  • Administration or management experience within a small business or organisation

  • Excellent communication and people skills

  • Knowledge of or interest in gardening and horticulture

  • Project management or coordination experience, including creating programmes

This role would suit someone studying or working on other freelance projects. There will be a minimum of 1.5 days per week which would ideally be spread through the week but this is negotiable.

We would like the Studio Manager to be available to work in Camberwell with Charlie and the team so someone local to the area or happy to travel there frequently is a must. Home/remote working will be possible at some times, to be agreed.

To apply please submit your CV and a short cover letter (max. 1 side of A4) by email to studio@chasegardens.co.uk.