General Manager
This Melbourne-based role reports to BAR Studio’s board of directors, and may require international and interstate travel to oversee the studio’s business operations
Direct reports
Delivery Director, Technical Design Director, Curatorial Director, Finance Director, Studio Engagement Director, Lighting Design Director, Madrid Studio Director
Internal relationships
Facilitation of the Steering Group:
Chief Designer / Company Director
BAR Object Director / Company Director
Delivery Design Director
Curatorial Director
Technical Design Director
Finance Director
Studio Engagement Director
Lighting Design Director
Madrid Studio Director
Operations team
External relationships
Clients – hotel owners & operators, consultants, contractors, fabricators, partners, suppliers, government, legal, Worksafe and insurance
Role purpose
The General Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, business development, governance and operational management of BAR’s group of companies (BAR Studio, BAR Object, BAR Lighting, BAR Madrid) in consultation with the Board of Directors to ensure the sustainability of the business and reputation of BAR.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, your role is to lead the Steering Group to ensure the strategic and operational aspects of the studio are managed effectively to drive high performance, and to enable new directions for BAR, including Sustainability, B-Corporation goals and the commercialisation of BAR Object.
Organisation overview
BAR is committed to creating exceptional hospitality projects. We are a boutique-scale studio based in Melbourne, Australia. From this base, we work on luxury hotel and resort projects throughout Asia-Pacific & Europe. We are passionate about delivering projects with the highest level of design and material integrity; underpinned by place-based design responses, meticulous planning and an absolute attention to detail.
BAR Values
As a boutique-scale studio working on large-scale, high-end projects, we foster a philosophy of collaboration, working closely with owners, operators and consultant teams to produce bespoke luxury designs. We engage skilled people who hold themselves to the highest values. Our people are committed to being an integral part of self-motivated teams delivering exceptional quality outcomes.
Camaraderie, enjoyment of the work, a collaborative spirit and mutual respect are key to our studio culture, grounded by an unwavering commitment to the integrity of the finished projects.
Responsibilities
Board Reporting
Oversee the curation and delivery of reporting to the BAR board to provide appropriate and accurate insights and recommendations in relation to the health, progress on strategy & goals, and SWOT ofBAR’s group of companies. Provide board feedback to the Steering group and facilitate implementation of board directives & decisions.
Business Strategy Development & Operational Planning
Facilitate the development of the BAR (Studio, Object & Lighting, Madrid) business strategy and translate into operating plans to drive high performance and growth:
This includes alignment of business KPIs including Client, Financial, Risk & Quality Governance, Culture, People, Processes & Systems;
Drive and closely monitor commercial outcomes in line with business objectives and oversee the BAR budget;
Understand the project pipelines and ensure resources are aligned across the design process to enable the effective delivery of the portfolio plan;
Develop frameworks, regular reporting and facilitate strategic review meetings;
Run retrospective meetings to evaluate the performance of projects.
Business Development
Develop a client and stakeholder engagement map to effectively manage ongoing relationships;
Liaise with relevant external clients & partners, including government;
Establish frameworks for assessing and prioritising business opportunities and reviewing organisational performance, capability and capacity;
Evaluation of investment and diversification opportunities;
Develop plans to effectively commercialise business opportunities;
Evaluation and negotiation of contractual arrangements;
Operations Management
Oversee the safe and efficient Studio operations at all locations, including both Flinders lane studios (75-77 and 31) and Madrid;
Oversee facilities, daily studio operations, administration and staff management;
Manage safety and security of studios;
Ensure effective and efficient resourcing and compliant work practices;
Manage contractors for supply of services, materials and consumables;
Drive the usage of digital collaboration tools;
Implement and track relevant performance and productivity reporting;
Identify areas for improvement, implementing relevant new approaches, processes, procedures & systems.
Manage Outsourced Activities
Determine appropriate outsourcing strategy to support the business;
Build relationships with key suppliers;
Manage contractual arrangements, including service delivery agreements; consultancy and sub-contracting arrangements;
Monitor the operation of policies concerning procurement & ordering and ensure compliance.
Leadership & Culture
Facilitation of relevant business operations meetings, including the Steering Group meeting;
Leadership of the overall BAR organisation;
Lead, develop and motivate the team to achieve high levels of performance;
Develop and mentor leaders in the organisation;
Leadership of the BAR studio organisational culture and driving overall team engagement;
Encourage an agile project management approach in the organisation;
Ensure regular communications to the BAR team, either directly or via others;
Champion studio engagement activities.
Risk, OH&S, Quality Assurance & Compliance
Overall governance and management of business, financial, reputational, legal, employment, OH&S and insurance risks;
Implement a risk management framework;
Ensure studio management practices adhere to OH&S legislative requirements
Overall responsibility for quality assurance of BAR studio products and services;
Work with the Delivery Director & Delivery Leaders, Studio Process Leader and Project Leaders to improve the delivery process at each stage
Business Operations Team Leadership
Oversight of business operations;
Ensure business operations projects and activities are aligned to support the business.
Lead, develop and motivate the team to achieve high levels of engagement and performance.
Essential Requirements
Relevant degree level qualification in business management / commerce. MBA advantageous
Minimum 5 years’ relevant general management experience, preferably in an architecture, interior design or construction environment;
Entrepreneurial strategic thinker with a high level of commercial acumen and drive for implementation;
Effective communicator, capable of facilitating group discussions and liaising with a range of stakeholders;
Approachable and collaborative leadership style, culturally aligned to BAR values and definition of success;
Experience in achieving B-Corp accreditation (or equivalent) is highly preferred;
Transformational leader – skilled in leading and engaging teams to collaborative high performance;
Strong planner, highly organised and process driven;
Ability to analyse data and design performance metrics and reporting to drive confident decision making;
Demonstrated experience managing multiple functions and budgets;
Knowledge of risk frameworks, quality assurance and OH&S requirements and legislation