Overview:
Part of the HENI group since 2016, Prudence Cuming was established in 1967 as a photographic studio specialising in fine art. We seeking an innovative and entrepreneurial General Manager to lead our team of fine art photography professionals. This role is crucial for maintaining our position as London's most respected fine art photography business while driving sustainable growth and expanding our international presence.
The ideal candidate will be highly commercial and have a strong background in managing media service businesses, with experience in commercial photography, video production, or related fields.
The Role:
As General Manager, you'll be responsible for leading a team of approximately 12 professionals, including photographers, post-production specialists, print experts, and administrative staff. You'll play a pivotal role in developing and implementing strategies to grow the business, improve profitability, and enhance our service offerings in fine art photography, video services, and archival image services.
The General Manager will oversee all departments and report directly to the business owner.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage and lead the PCA team, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation
- Develop and implement plans to grow the business sustainably, improving gross revenues and profitability
- Drive operational excellence to ensure best-in-class customer experience
- Explore new trends, markets, and unmet customer needs in the Fine Art and Tech industries
- Work closely with the Group Sales Manager to support and contribute to sales efforts
- Lead the development and expansion of video services and archival image services
- Implement systems and tools to improve business efficiency, including invoicing and CRM
- Develop strategies to expand PCA's international presence and client base
- Analyze market trends and competitor activities to inform business strategies
- Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members
- Create and deliver insightful reports to the business owner
- Evaluate size of opportunities and risks, successfully execute plans, and report on progress
- Own pricing decisions and develop a competitive pricing strategy
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Proven experience in managing a media service business, such as a commercial photography studio, video production company, post-production house, or retouching business
- Background in managing campaigns in the fashion world or similar industries could also be relevant
- Strong analytical skills and demonstrated problem-solving abilities
- Excellent leadership and team management capabilities
- Outstanding communication and listening skills
- Experience in driving transformation in professional service businesses
- Entrepreneurial and commercial mindset with a strong focus on business growth and innovation
- Strong vision for the future of fine art photography and related services
- Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment
- Understanding of international markets and ability to expand global presence
- Demonstrated ability to understand and engage with team members, clients, and stakeholders before initiating change
- Practical understanding of business efficiency tools and systems, particularly for invoicing and CRM
This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a prestigious fine art photography business into its next phase of growth and innovation. The successful candidate will be instrumental in expanding our services, enhancing our international reputation, and driving the business forward in a rapidly evolving industry.