Assistant Studio Manager

Full Time • Seattle, WA • Starting immediately

About Pottery Northwest

Pottery Northwest is a nationally renowned ceramic facility, providing longtime and vibrant programs in the Seattle arts community. Artists from around the world come to Pottery Northwest to engage in artistic dialogue and as a formative step in their careers. Artist residencies, exhibitions that feature traditional and contemporary work, community classes and an engaging lecture series spanning many years are all features of this organization, located in Pioneer Square.

Position Summary

Pottery Northwest is looking for a full-time Assistant Studio Manager to join the studio team at our full-scale, community ceramics studio in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle. The studio team at Pottery Northwest is responsible for the upkeep of the overall studio space, equipment, and materials; leading the Apprentice program; managing the Studio Monitor program; and supporting our classes and events. The Assistant Studio Manager will support our senior Studio Manager to keep up operations and maintenance of the studio. Additionally, this position is responsible for assisting with the administrative aspects of studio operations and directly supervising the studio techs.

Our studio team members are the onsite point of contact for our community of students, artists, and other guests during open studio hours, which are 7 days a week, 10am to 9pm. The Assistant Studio Manager hours will be 100% onsite in our studio. Interested applicants should be passionate about maintaining an adaptive, people-centered studio grounded in fostering an inclusive community around clay.

 

HOURS & CONDITIONS

Reports to: Studio Manager
Type: Full-time, 40-hours per week; salaried, non-exempt
Remote/Onsite: 100% onsite (no remote work)
Pay: $55,000-$58,000/year (placement within this scale is dependent upon experience)
Shift Times: Tuesday through Saturday,* 10am to 6pm
*Depending on experience, the first three weeks may be Sunday - Thursday, 10:00am to 6:00pm to undergo additional training. One weekday each week, the shift time will be 8am to 4pm for studio cleaning.

Benefits: 

  • Open (unlimited) PTO to be used for vacation and sick leave. 

  • 13 paid federal holidays with studio facility closure.

  • 100% employer premium paid medical, vision and dental insurance. 

  • 401(k) retirement plan. 

  • Monthly commuter stipend of $140.

  • Annual professional development stipend of $500.

  • Annual bonus opportunity. 

  • Complimentary classes, workshops, and studio usage.

  • Shared private studio space.

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

General Studio Management (70%) 

Facilities

  • Assist with day-to-day maintenance, upkeep, and effective functioning of the studio.

  • Monitor, repair, and maintain studio equipment such as kilns, wheels, shop tools, etc. 

  • Maintain studio glazes, slips, chemicals, clay, and dry materials, including mixing and making glazes and recycling/reclaiming clay.

  • Organize and clean studio tools, equipment, materials, and spaces throughout the studio.

  • Perform facilities maintenance as needed (sinks and plumbing, physical plant, lighting, etc.).

  • Oversee and manage kiln firing schedules, and independently load, fire, and unload electric kilns.

  • Work collaboratively to set policies around studio usage, safety, etc.

  • Order studio, kitchen, and bathroom supplies.

Classes, Workshops, & Events

  • Ensure sufficient inventories for all class and workshop materials.

  • Manage studio shelf assignments each academic quarter.

  • Help move student work through the firing cycles in a timely fashion.

  • Support onsite and offsite Pottery Northwest and partner events and workshops as needed.

  • Facilitate quarterly studio orientations and give an overview of policies and procedures to class students and studio access members.

  • Provide support as needed for major exhibitions, open houses, artist talks and fundraising events.

Studio Personnel Management

  • Assist the Senior Studio Manager with recruiting, selecting, training, and supervising a diverse team of approximately 12 apprentices.

  • Manage the studio monitor volunteers and facilitate their studio training & orientations.

  • Help train and supervise other studio personnel as delegated by the Senior Studio Manager.

  • Assist with the coordination and maintenance of personnel scheduling to ensure the studio is staffed during open studio hours. 

Student & Visitor Support

  • Answer studio doorbell and give guided tours as needed.

  • Assist students in the studio space with grabbing clay, answering questions, demonstrating how to use equipment, etc.

Studio Administration & Operations (25%)

  • Assist with the organization and development of the annual studio budget (contribute views on the studio’s spending needs and tracking expenditures).

  • Answer email inquiries from staff, instructors, and community members.

  • Oversee and manage studio monitor schedule.

  • Track and organize wares from clay nights and workshops and assist the Programs Coordinator with contacting private event participants that wares are ready for pick up.

  • Work with the Programs Coordinator to send important studio communications to the Pottery Northwest Community, such as upcoming deadlines, important announcements and reminders.

Shared Leadership (5%)

  • Participate in team check-ins, weekly staff meetings, and planning and staffing support for Pottery NW events.

  • Identify and participate in professional development opportunities that advance skills for the role.

  • Assist Senior Studio Manager in an annual work plan with metrics tied to overall organizational goals.

  • Participate in our strategic planning and budgeting efforts.

  • Help maintain shared calendars.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All Pottery NW employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Physical Activities & Requirements of this Position:

  • Ability to lift, carry & move heavy objects ~60lbs.

  • Frequent bending and reaching above shoulders.

  • Standing and walking for long periods of time.

  • Working with and around power tools and other machinery with moving parts.

  • Exposure to chemicals: silica dust  and other hazardous materials that are used in the ceramics process.

  • Working closely with others.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Pottery Northwest needs people who value a growth mentality—people who are willing to do things differently, test things out, fail and get back up again. We hope to find someone who is curious and can lead people with their heart, being vulnerable and authentic. We expect you to share our values of sharing power,  trusting each other, being transparent, celebrating small successes, integrity, and cross-cultural respect and sensitivity.

Values alignment:

  • Deep and demonstrated commitment to DEIA, racial and gender equity, and understanding the role inequities play in our society.

  • Passionate about maintaining an adaptive, people-centered studio grounded in fostering an inclusive community around clay, with the highest priority placed on creating and ensuring everyone has access to learning and enjoying ceramics.

  • Values sharing power, trusting each other, being transparent, celebrating small successes, integrity, and cross-cultural respect and sensitivity.

Specifically, we are looking for:

  • Minimum 3 years of experience working in a full-scale ceramics studio

  • Experience with budgeting (projecting and tracking expenses and revenue)

  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan out project steps, create and meet deadlines, and manage schedules

  • Broad knowledge of glaze chemistry and mixing

  • Experience firing and loading/unloading electric kilns

  • Demonstrated interest and working knowledge of the ceramics field

  • Ability to work weekend and evening hours as needed

  • Demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, and understanding the role inequities play in our society

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and an ability to develop trust and maintain deep relationships with a variety of diverse students, partners, and community members

  • A collaborative approach to problem-solving, including the ability to pivot to meet immediate needs, or address unforeseen circumstances

  • A persistent commitment to communication in the face of challenge and conflict.

 

Application Instructions: 

Pottery Northwest is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be a place where DEIA builds the foundation for people. Women, non-gender-binary/trans individuals, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and people with disabilities are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.  

To apply, submit a completed application. We do not want a cover letter–please just fill the application out in entirety.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This posting will stay open until May 4th, or until the position is filled, whichever comes first. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. Email questions to Jasmine@potterynorthwest.org