| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Media and Advertising |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Production |
| Direct reports | Studio Executive, Studio Assistant |
| Experience | 6 to 9 years in studio or production operations, with 2 or more years managing a studio |
Studio Manager job description template
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Job title: Studio Manager
Department: Media and Advertising
Reports to: Head of Production
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Studio Manager runs the production studio in an agency, production house or broadcast setup. They schedule shoots and edit bays, keep cameras, lights and edit systems working, book crew and freelancers, and make sure every job moves through the studio and out on deadline. The role sits between creative teams, producers and vendors, and owns studio budgets and asset storage. A good one keeps the studio booked without clashes, kit ready and maintained, and delivery smooth so creative work never waits on the floor.
Key responsibilities
- Schedule shoots, edit bays and studio floor time across projects, and resolve clashes between competing bookings.
- Maintain cameras, lenses, lights, audio kit and edit systems, and arrange repairs or rentals before they hold up a job.
- Book crew, freelancers and equipment for each shoot, negotiate rates, and confirm availability against the schedule.
- Manage studio budgets, raise purchase orders for kit and services, and keep spends within the approved plan.
- Set up sets, lighting and backdrops for shoots, and make sure health and safety rules are followed on the floor.
- Track media assets from shoot to edit to archive, and keep a backup so footage is never lost.
- Coordinate with creative, production and client teams so every job has what it needs on the shoot day.
- Keep an inventory of all studio equipment, run regular checks, and flag items due for service or replacement.
- Supervise studio assistants and floor crew, assign daily tasks, and train them on kit and safety.
- Review delivery timelines and make sure edited files are exported in the right format and handed over on time.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in film, media production or a related field
- Hands-on knowledge of camera, lighting and editing equipment
- A safety or first-aid certification is an advantage
- 6 to 9 years in studio or production operations, with 2 or more years managing a studio
KRAs and KPIs for a Studio Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Studio utilisation | Studio and edit bays booked to a set utilisation target each month, with no double bookings |
| Equipment uptime | Critical kit available and working for at least 98 percent of scheduled shoots |
| On time delivery | Shoots and edits completed by the booked date for most jobs each month |
| Budget control | Studio and rental spends kept within the approved monthly budget |
| Asset safety | All shoot footage backed up within 24 hours, with zero permanent loss of media |
| Floor safety | Zero reportable accidents on the studio floor across the year |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Camera and lighting equipment, Editing suites, Booking and scheduling software, Storage and backup systems, MS Excel.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Production, Operations Manager
Interview questions for a Studio Manager
- Two creative teams want the studio on the same morning. How do you decide and manage it?
- A camera fails an hour before a client shoot. What are your next steps?
- How do you keep track of every piece of equipment and know when it needs service?
- Walk me through how you back up and archive footage after a big shoot.
- How do you keep a studio within budget when a shoot needs extra kit at short notice?
- How do you keep the floor safe during a shoot with heavy lights and rigging?
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What does a studio manager do?
A studio manager runs a production or broadcast studio. They schedule shoots and edit bays, maintain cameras, lights and edit systems, book crew and freelancers, manage the studio budget, and keep footage backed up. Their job is to make sure every job has the kit, crew and floor time it needs and goes out on deadline.
What skills does a studio manager need?
A studio manager needs hands-on knowledge of camera, lighting and editing equipment, strong scheduling and inventory control, vendor and crew booking, and budget management. They also need calm problem solving, because kit fails and bookings clash, and good coordination between creative teams, producers and freelancers.
Who does a studio manager report to?
In most production houses and agencies a studio manager reports to the head of production or an operations manager. In smaller setups they may report directly to the founder or the creative head. They in turn manage studio executives, assistants and floor crew.