Studio Director

STUDIO DIRECTOR

Regan Baker Design is a full-service interior architecture & design firm committed to inspiring joy and connections through the art of collaborative design. Based in San Francisco with projects throughout the Bay Area and beyond, RBD believes in the synthesis of beauty & style, warmth, and function to shape space and elevate everyday life.

At RBD, we deliver personalized design with exceptional service, from initial concept through installation, incorporating custom furniture & millwork design, personal shopping & styling, art sourcing, procurement, and placement. We've been featured in Architectural Digest, Vogue Living, Domino, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, The New York Times, and Luxe, among others. We are a female-led, mid-sized studio based in the heart of San Francisco, with a passion for creative collaboration, intentional interiors, and fun, kind people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

RBD is seeking an experienced, strategic operator to join the firm as Studio Director. In this role, you will work directly with the Principal managing the operational cadence of the studio, while providing steady leadership, proactive planning, and problem solving to ensure our day-to-day runs with the same intention for excellence that defines our design work. This is a full time, in-studio position located in San Francisco. 

The ideal candidate is highly organized & proactively strategic, equally comfortable setting the strategy and doing the work. As the hub of communication internally & externally for the firm, exceptional communication, a high degree of emotional intelligence, and a love for design & client service are essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES

PRINCIPAL PARTNERSHIP

• Act as the Principal's trusted thought partner; set & plan firm priorities, surface key decisions, and ensure follow-through across team initiatives.
• Maintain consistent, proactive communication with and in support of Regan and studio leaders.
• Facilitate weekly leadership meetings and monthly staff meetings; prepare agendas, capture notes, and drive accountability on action items.
• Strategically manage the studio calendar and Principal communications; triage inbound email, draft correspondence when necessary to ensure project expectations are being met or exceeded.
• Support studio capacity planning and forecasting; evaluate utilization rates, anticipate fluctuations, and optimize team productivity.

STUDIO OPERATIONS

• Develop, improve, and maintain studio processes, workflows, and systems in coordination with design & operations teams.     
• Oversee staff development and resources, including hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Maintain the employee handbook, firm policies, scheduling and time-off requests.
• Partner with Finance to share accountability for the financial health of the firm, including budget oversight, forecasting, invoicing and reporting.
• Liaise with Marketing and PR agencies to ensure the firm's website is current and reflective of the brand, maintaining consistent external visibility and press opportunities.
• Oversee scheduling and planning of project photoshoots in collaboration with the design team.
• Plan studio events, team gatherings, and offsites to foster culture & connection.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Strategically-Minded Operator: thinks several steps ahead, connects the dots across people and priorities, and moves seamlessly between setting the vision and doing the work
• Proactive Problem-Solver: anticipates needs & preferences, doesn't wait to be asked, take-care-of-it-now mentality, identifies bottlenecks before they become problems
• Trusted Partner: exercises exceptional judgment & discretion; earns trust through respect & honesty, handles sensitive information with confidentiality
• Delightfully Approachable: high EQ, keeps cool under pressure, adapts effortlessly & simplifies complexity, a person others can come to with questions
• Curious & Hard-working: no ask is too big or too small; ability to link the details to the broader goals; willing to be hands-on, a true team player
• Design-Curious: a genuine love or interest in beautiful spaces, craft, and intentional design

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• 7 years of progressive experience in an operations or leadership position, ideally within a creative, design, or professional services environment
• Exceptional communication & interpersonal skills; ability to foster alignment & collaboration across studio teams, and engage with clients & vendors
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations, lead projects, and work effectively alongside senior leadership
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially
• Proficiency with Google Workspace; experience with Asana, Harvest, or similar project management tools strongly preferred
• Located in San Francisco or able to commute to San Francisco daily
• A love of interior design and a desire to work with kind people!