Photography Studio Manager

THE OPEN WINDOW

SCHOOL OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION

VACANCY: PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO MANAGER

The Open Window (OW) is an accredited private higher education institution recognised for setting innovative standards in the field of visual arts and digital sciences. Founded in 1994, OW has a focus on providing a unique tertiary platform where practice-led tuition links traditional fine art practice with the applied arts. Emphasis is placed on continual innovation within curricula so as to maintain relevance in the rapidly evolving creative arts industries. Many Open Window lecturers, in addition to their academic roles, are actively engaged in research and creative practice. Our investment in highly qualified and industry-relevant staff is deemed critical in directing our students in work-integrated learning projects of value.

The Academic Supplementary Programme seeks to appoint a Photography Studio Manager. The Photography Studio forms part of Open Window’s Specialist Spaces and currently houses four spaces:

• The main Photography Studio is our largest space and caters predominantly to Photography majors.
• Pixel is our smaller, tabletop studio to enable simple shoots
• Darkroom is our analogue photography studio
• Morph is our Stop Motion Studio

These studios collectively house cameras, lighting and specialist equipment – used by students, staff and alumni for projects throughout the year.

While the Photography Studio Manager is primarily based in the main Photography Studio, the successful candidate facilitates studio bookings, equipment bookings & handling, and student and staff engagement across all related spaces. The Photography Studio Manager makes sure that the studios are well-organised at all times and that all facilities are in working order.

JOB SPECIFICATION: PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIOS MANAGER (On campus position)

The Photography Studio Manager will oversee and coordinate all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Photography Spaces:

• Managing the Photography studios’ schedule and bookings.
• Liaising with the relevant academic departments to ensure that the Photography Studios’ equipment is maintained and stock kept up to date according to core subject requirements.
• Executing administrative tasks in relation to the requirements of the position.
• Executing all tasks required to successfully maintain the studio spaces to allow for optimal and efficient use of the spaces.
• Organising and overseeing the spaces and all related facilities and equipment, making sure that all is operational and according to safety regulations.

DUTIES:

• Oversee general studio processes across the photography spaces.
• Organise and manage equipment bookings and storage across the photography spaces.
• Timeously acquire quotes and complete Purchase Orders for all studio-related expenses.
• Plan and manage studio schedules and bookings across the photography spaces.
• Ensure the spaces are clean and neat at all times and in adherence with safety regulations.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of all studio equipment and gear, and update this on a regular basis in order to keep a clear record of the available equipment and its condition.
• Maintain a clear training log (to detail who has received training and may have access to the spaces).
• Regularly maintain, check and clean equipment and arrange repairs/services as required.
• Maintain the infinity curve (painting) and tables, as well as all other studio facilities/structures and improve as required.
• Liaise with security/facilities/operations in regards to studio bookings, studio safety, etc.
• Ensure equipment is ready for bookings (packed, booked, batteries charged, etc.)
• Set up and oversee the studios for OW events such as Open Days.
• Be on standby for technical assistance during studio bookings.
• The Photography Studio Manager should be equipped to provide ad-hoc supplementary training to students and train staff members on the proper use of photography/videography-based equipment.
• Stay up to date with technological gear developments and obtain training from relevant suppliers where required.
• Set up and prepare studio equipment as required for both demonstrations and classroom sessions, providing support to lecturers during practical activities.
• Maintain relationships with industry affiliates (suppliers) and establish new connections.
• Assist with studio and gear-related events such as Open Days and our annual Gear Expo.
• Work closely with relevant academic subject managers to make sure that studios are serving the students optimally and the studio requirements are met.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant, in general, should be technically inclined, have an excitement towards gear and equipment, and be naturally interested in researching and keeping up with developments and new tech releases in the field of Photography and Videography. In addition, the applicant:

• Must have foundational experience in the field of photography
• Must be familiar with a wide range of photography/videography studio equipment and basic related processes
• Must be able to demonstrate/verbalise their understanding of photographic equipment in order to effectively assist students
• Should possess proficient/basic ‘handy’ skills in order to maintain the equipment, studio structures and facilities and where possible, help develop props/structures that can be used in the studio setting
• Must be computer literate
• Take initiative in constructing props, sourcing materials, and developing innovative, creative solutions to support studio shoots and practical demonstrations. This includes assisting students with inventive problem-solving for their photographic projects
• Be able to organise and manage students with studio duties.

 

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENTIAL SKILLS:

• Photography-based skills to occasionally document academic projects for archiving purposes at the request of academic staff and edit according to requirements.
• Photography studio experience
• Darkroom and/or analogue photography experience
• Stop-motion experience
• Capture One and Tethering experience

BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to learn on the job, and a resourcefulness to innovate and expand systems/processes/organisation related to the position
• Should be neat, organised and professional
• Good operational management skills
• Good communication skills
• Good record-keeping and administration skills
• Good interpersonal skills – the candidate should be a collaborator
• Capable of working in a team and with students (very important)
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills in the context of institutional cycles – the space can be busy at times, and quieter at other times, so the candidate should be able to cope under pressure during busy periods (usually around summative assessment deadlines) and be self-driven to rework/refine processes, maintain the space and upkeep elements during quieter periods.
• Have a positive, ‘can-do’ and problem-solving attitude
• Energetic and action-oriented

Please note that, due to the nature of this position, the ideal candidate should be flexible with their time.

 

SALARY SCALE

Salary Scale: R165 000 – R230 000 per annum (negotiable, dependent on experience/qualification).

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s overall experience, as communicated through the application, in accordance with The Open Window’s policies and procedures.

No additional benefits are offered outside the remuneration package, other than a Retirement Annuity, for which The Open Window contributes a majority of the minimum contribution amount.

 

TO APPLY:

Please send a CV, a brief motivational cover letter and your portfolio (web links to online work) to:

Amy Maphagela

[email protected]

Closing date for applications: Mon, 17 Nov 2025

No late applications will be considered.

Please note: In support of the company’s Employment Equity plan, applicants from designated groups are encouraged to apply.

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

Should you not receive a response within two months after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

The Open Window reserves the right to retract the position advertised without notice.

As your application is likely to contain personal information, the documents will be handled according to OW POPIA policies, and the information will only be shared with HR, interview panels, and the Academic Executive.

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