Studio Operations Manager in Oakland, California at The Crucible

The Studio Operations Manager provides operational, administrative, and supervisory leadership supporting the Director of Studio Operations and ensuring the safe, efficient, and consistent operation of The Crucible’s industrial arts studios and facilities.

This position serves as the primary supervisor for Studio Operations Technicians, overseeing scheduling, performance management, training coordination, and daily workflow prioritization within established collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, and safety standards.

The Manager serves as a working manager, providing both supervisory oversight and operational coordination within a complex, multi-studio production and educational environment. The role requires the ability to respond effectively to dynamic operational needs, shifting priorities, and facility-wide demands.

When assigned, this position serves as Manager-on-Duty and assumes responsibility for building operations, emergency response coordination, and occupant safety.

• Serve as a central operational coordinator for studio and facilities activities across departments.
• Develop, implement, and maintain operational procedures, maintenance schedules, and workflow systems supporting studio functionality and program delivery.
• Oversee inspection, preventative maintenance, and safe operation of studio equipment and infrastructure, including but not limited to, kilns, welding and woodworking equipment, ceramics tools, lifts, and material handling systems.
• Maintain inventory control systems for tools, equipment, materials, and safety supplies, including purchasing, receiving, tracking, and replenishment.
• Administer processes for incoming equipment and materials donations, including evaluation, documentation, and departmental allocation.
• Oversee equipment and surplus sales processes, including standardized documentation and coordination with finance and point-of-sale systems.
• Respond to operational challenges and emergent facilities or studio needs, adjusting priorities to maintain safe and continuous program operations.
  
  

• Serve as the primary supervisor for Studio Operations Technicians.
• Develop and manage technician schedules, daily assignments, and workload distribution.
• Collaborate with the Director on performance management, including coaching, feedback, evaluations, and disciplinary processes consistent with collective bargaining agreements and organizational policies.
• Support onboarding, training coordination, and professional development for studio technicians.
• Maintain documentation related to scheduling, performance evaluations, and training compliance.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and leadership to support adherence to union agreements, workplace policies, and equitable labor practices.
• Facilitate communication between technicians, faculty, facilities staff, and leadership to support efficient studio operations.
  
  

• Serve as Manager-on-Duty when assigned, maintaining authority and responsibility for building operations and safety.
• Respond to and coordinate emergency situations including equipment failures, safety incidents, facility disruptions, evacuations, and coordination with emergency responders.
• Maintain familiarity with emergency preparedness procedures, communication systems, and facility response protocols.
• Support incident documentation, reporting, and post-incident operational review.
  
  

• Administer and enforce studio safety policies and procedures across all operational areas.
• Coordinate compliance activities related to fire safety inspections, permits, regulatory requirements, and safety documentation.
• Maintain safety training records, incident reporting systems, and technician safety competency tracking.
• Ensure staff and students receive appropriate safety orientation and equipment training.
  
  

• Support development and monitoring of studio and facilities budgets.
• Track operational expenses and support financial reporting related to studio operations.
• Coordinate scheduling, bookings, and allocation of shared studio spaces and equipment.
• Maintain accurate operational records, equipment logs, and inventory documentation.
  
  

• Provides direct supervision of Studio Operations Technicians.
• Oversees daily staffing allocation and operational prioritization.
• Coordinates departmental workflows and may authorize operational purchases within established budget thresholds and internal approval processes.
• Collaborates with program leadership to ensure materials procurement supports program delivery, grant requirements, and restricted funding compliance when applicable.
  
  

• Associate degree or equivalent professional experience in Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Industrial Arts, Facilities Management, or related field.

• Minimum two years of experience in an industrial arts, fabrication, or fine arts studio environment.
  Demonstrated experience supervising staff, coordinating operations, or managing technical teams preferred.
• Experience working within unionized or collectively bargained environments preferred.
• Hands-on familiarity with kiln operation, woodworking, welding, or comparable industrial arts equipment strongly preferred.

• Ability to manage personnel, operational systems, and cross-department workflows.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining environments and labor coordination practices.
• Strong understanding of studio safety standards, equipment, and materials management.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in fast-paced and emergency situations.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and operational data management tools.
• Ability to safely lift up to 50 lbs. and operate material handling equipment as required.

• Collaborative leadership style with strong communication and accountability.
• Highly organized and responsive to operational and programmatic needs.
• Adaptable and solutions-oriented in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
• Commitment to safety, equity, inclusion, and continuous operational improvement.

Work Environment

This position is 100% onsite due to supervisory responsibilities, operational oversight, emergency response duties, and facilities management requirements.

The schedule for this position follows a Sunday–Thursday or Tuesday–Saturday workweek, to be confirmed upon hire.