Studio Manager (Full Time / Permanent )

Closing Date: Saturday 28th February 2026

Location: Holywood

Salary: £30k+ (depending on experience) + Commission

Clever Ghost is growing, and we’re looking for a Studio Manager to join our team of designers.

As our Studio Manager, you’ll be the friendly face of the studio for our clients, maintaining strong relationships and spotting opportunities for growth. We’re looking for a well-rounded team player who can help drive the studio forward with strong organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, smart strategic thinking, and a genuine passion for creative work.

If you’re passionate about creative studios, fluent in how great design teams work, and driven to help ideas (and people) do their best work, we’d love to meet you.

About the Role:

This is a blended Studio Manager and Business Development role, combining:

Studio and project oversight
Client relationship management
Process and workflow improvement
New business support
You’ll play an active part in winning new work; spotting opportunities, contributing to pitches and conversations, and helping turn relationships into long-term partnerships.

Some of our best new work comes from long-term client relationships rather than pitches. Any new business you directly help bring in is rewarded through commission.

This role is intentionally hybrid. In a small studio, responsibilities overlap, priorities shift, and everyone plays a part. You’ll be as comfortable handling day-to-day operations as you are sitting in client meetings or helping shape how we work.

As we grow, we’re looking for someone who can sit right at the centre of the studio — keeping things running smoothly while helping us build stronger client relationships and win new business.

Responsibilities:

Client Relationships & Growth
Act as the main point of contact for a portfolio of clients
Build strong, trusted relationships by understanding clients’ objectives, audiences and challenges
Confidently discuss scope, timelines, budgets and value
Identify opportunities for account growth and new business
Support new business conversations and pitches
Earn commission on new work you help secure
Studio & Project Oversight
Oversee project timelines, budgets, and delivery across the studio
Ensure work is delivered on time, on brief, and to a high standard
Maintain clear, collaborative communication between clients and creative teams
Keep projects, processes, and systems highly organised
Studio Development
Help shape and improve internal processes and ways of working
Support the wider growth of the studio through smart, considered decisions
Uphold our values, policies and ethical standards

Experience & Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field (desired but not essential)
Minimum 2 years’ experience in Account Management or a related role, ideally within a creative or marketing agency
Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
A solid understanding of creative workflows and production processes
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships
Excellent organisational and project management skills with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time and within budget
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Comfortable using tools such as CRM systems, Trello, Xero, and Google Workspace
Familiarity with marketing tools, analytics or social platforms is a bonus

About You:

You’re optimistic and driven.
You’re curious and willing to learn.
You’re passionate about all things design and immerse yourself in the industry.
You embrace new technologies, software and ideas, and are excited about building them into your process.
Your talent comes without ego.
You’re a team player who’ll fit into our design-driven, collaborative team
You are efficient, organised, and able to work under tight deadlines.
You are meticulously detail-oriented
You are passionate about causes - any cause, you just need to care about having a positive influence.
You’re conscious about the impact that design has on both people & planet.
You're People-focused, organised, and naturally proactive
You're commercially aware and comfortable discussing scope, budgets, and value
You've a passion for marketing, creativity and innovations

Salary, Benefits & Culture

Salary:

£30k+ (depending on experience) + Commission

Benefits & Culture:

We put our people first. Working at Clever Ghost comes with a carefully considered range of benefits for our employees.

What we offer:

Quarterly Reviews 📅 Quarterly one-to-ones for professional guidance & growth.
Generous Holiday Allowance 🧳 31 Days Holiday inc 11 Bank Holidays and Christmas Closure.
Birthday Off 🎂 A paid day off on your birthday every year (in addition to the stated holiday allowance).
Skills & Training Allowance 🧠 Yearly training budget to improve your skills & knowledge.
Workplace First Aid Training ⚕️Certified by St. John's Ambulance
Zero Ego Hiring Policy 🚫 We believe the best work happens in collaboration. So we only hire open-minded, brilliant team players.
Volunteer Day Off 🌈 Full paid day off per year to volunteer and help our community.
We're a B Corp 🌎 We’re currently one of 3 creative B Corp studios in Northern Ireland and are part of a growing movement for better business.
We're a Living Wage Employer 💷 Since our founding, we've proudly been able to pay a fair living wage as a minimum.
Inspirational Field Trips ✨ Regular trips to design talks and creative conventions.
Regular Team Activities 🎳 We aim to do something fun as a team at least once a quarter, whether that’s mini-golfing, bowling or escape rooms. We’re conscious about spending too much time in front of our screens and actively encourage getting away from our desks as a team.
Two-Week Work Anywhere ✈️ Two weeks working from anywhere with good WiFi and a reasonable time zone.
Cycle to Work Scheme 🚴 Fair distance to Holywood, but if you’re up for pedalling, we can help you get here.
Flexible Start & Finish Times ⏰ Start between 8 & 10am / Finish between 4 & 6pm.
Paid Personal Project Time ❤️‍🔥 1 Day per month working on a self-directed passion project.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short note on why you’d be a great fit to work@cleverghost.studio using the subject “Studio Manager” by the closing date of 28/02/26.

Our approach to remote work will continue to be flexible, but we will prioritise candidates excited by the prospect of working from our Holywood studio, especially within the probationary period. We have the flexibility to accommodate occasional, temporary, short-term remote periods once onboarding and training are complete.

As the role is based in Northern Ireland, you must be permitted to work in the UK.

About Clever Ghost

Clever Ghost is a brand and design studio driven by a mission to influence positive change through clever design.

We focus on delivering thoughtful, idea-driven work for our clients that resonates with their audiences. Ranging from conceptual design to branding, strategy, and brand management. Our mission compels us to generate ideas worth believing in, ensuring that every project we undertake has the potential to inspire and create a lasting impact.

To us, positive change looks like cultivating a sustainable future while prioritising the well-being of our employees. We aim to create a workplace environment that encourages positive mental health, personal growth, and a sense of purpose, striving to empower our team to flourish both professionally and personally. Together, we aspire to make a positive impact on our planet and within ourselves.

Equal Opportunities

Clever Ghost is committed to building a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone can feel appreciated for who they are and supported in their personal and professional growth. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age. We’re looking for creative people looking for something different because we are too.

Clever Ghost

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