Manager, Studio Operations

Why AUArts?
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is situated on the ancestral land of the Siksikaitsitapi - Blackfoot Confederacy which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani Nations and the shared territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation as well as the Iyarhe Nakoda-Stoney which includes Bearspaw, Chiniki, Good Stoney Nations and also the home of the Métis Nation of District 5 and 6. The City of Calgary has long been called Moh’kins’tsis by the Siksikaitsitapi, Guts’ists’i by the Tsuut’ina, and Wîchîspa by the Nakoda.
The Alberta University of the Arts is one of only four major art, craft and design focused Universities in Canada. Our internationally recognized programs and state-of-the-art facilities offer our 1,100 students a hands-on, studio-based education that leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Design, and an MFA in Craft Media. AUArts has deep roots in Calgary’s creative community and our alumni have had an impact on creativity around the world. Alberta University of the Arts will be celebrating its centennial in 2026.
Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community? AUArts is a community of thinkers, shapers, makers, and risk takers. We are students, faculty, staff, and alumni rich in diversity of culture and thought, challenged to fearlessly explore what moves us, drives us, and implores us to see the world differently.
The Opportunity
Competition #2526-OC-MP-08
Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for a Manager, Studio Operations role to oversee the operation and direction of all academic technical services, staff, and facilities including studios, shops, classrooms and galleries.
This is a full-time permanent position starting October 2025. Hours of work are 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day.
Reporting to the Director, Academic Resources, the Manager, Studio Operations provides leadership to meet institutional strategic goals and ensure the effective delivery of curriculum support to faculty, instructors and students. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with health, safety and environment bylaws and legislation for academic areas, in coordination with HSSE leaders. The Manager is also a leader for relevant projects, initiatives and continuous improvement in academic support, in alignment with organizational operational and strategic plans. As a member of the AUArts Academic leadership team; this role is responsible for championing and integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion, strategic partnerships, and enrollment management principles.
**Key Responsibilities**:
Team Leadership & Studio Operations
- Provide active leadership of studio teams, including Educational Art Technicians, Studio Assistants, Art Models, Software Tutors and Student Employees.
- Manage employee relations, including hiring, orientation, training and active performance management.
- Develop team members through mentoring, coaching, training, objective setting, ongoing feedback, and recognition.
- Manage all scheduling and resource allocation, including studio access, coverage, casual staff shifts, leaves, and delegation of work.
- Actively monitor the academic studios and classrooms, equipment, and facilities, ensuring compliance with current curriculum, future curricular changes, new programs and curriculum-related support.
- Lead the development of standard studio operating practices and ensure these practices are accessible to, and followed by, faculty, students and staff working in the studios.
- Develop and implement short and long-term team goals and strategies.
- Set goals and expectations in consultation with Academic Leadership that support the academic plan and institutional strategic plan, including policy compliance and equity, diversity & inclusion initiatives.
- Effectively lead employees through organizational, systems, process and other changes.
- Manage studio allocation and access, including home studio assignment process.

Space, Material & Equipment Lifecycle Management
- Actively monitor and assess studio equipment for prioritization on the evergreen schedule.
- Develop proposals for capital and operating funding to facilitate new equipment or facilities, equipment upgrading or evergreening.
- Manage funded projects from initial research to procurement and commissioning.
- In partnership with organizational leaders (Campus Operations) manage CAPEX/OPEX facility projects in the academic area.
- Facilitate procurement, implementation, and installation of new equipment with the area Educational Art Technician including required changes to update HSE documentation.
- Ensure studio spaces are compliant with HSE program, including active monitoring of hazard assessments and audit of documentation (Monitor and update Access, Training and Monitoring and Notice of Risk/Informed Consent).
- Lead Educational Art Technicians and faculty through space and HSE updates prompted by changes curriculum or equipment and processes.

Budget Management
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