General Manager

About Us

Studio Blue, part of The Freeman Company's collective of expert brands, fills the production gap between creative agencies and basic AV providers, collaborating with clients to produce flawless events. At Studio Blue, our team members make brand stories impossible to ignore. We're built to support clients who need expert AV production to tell their story clearly and confidently in high-stakes environments like conferences, summits, press conferences, and internal special nontraditional events.

Summary

It is the responsibility of the General Manager to establish, lead, and scale all activities of the business unit, building the systems and processes that drive operational efficiency and maximize profits. Responsible for the success of the business unit, not only within the company, but also within the industry. Provide overall leadership to the business unit and drive its profitability and growth. Develop effective strategies, work policies and procedures that lead to operational effectiveness and company financial success. Professionally interacts with customers, team members, and third-party vendor/partner representatives to provide the highest level of customer service.

Provides strategic leadership, direction and oversight of multiple functions, divisions, and areas of significant impact. Formulates strategic goals based upon organizational needs and implements effective strategies that have a positive result in helping achieve financial success for the organization. Makes complex decisions for situations with limited precedent. Creates an environment of team member engagement and promotes the company's mission, vision, and values.

This position will support our Studio Blue team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office and/or show-site 2-3 days per week. The ideal candidate will be based out of any of the following locations:

• Dallas, TX

• Las Vegas, NV

• Orlando, FL

• Austin, TX

• Nashville, TN

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and implement organization policies and goals

• Stand up the operational, financial, and reporting infrastructure for a newly forming business unit, designing and implementing the systems, tools, and workflows where none yet exist

• Coordinate activities of departments such as operations, customer service, sales, administration, and show-site

• Develop, maintain and analyze budgets to identify areas in which reductions can be made, and to allocate operating budget

• Review activity, operating, and sales reports to determine changes in programs or operations required

• Direct initiatives so that outlining policy, program, or operations changes can be implemented in a timely, efficient and accurate manner

• Build, establish, and continuously improve the policies, processes, and operating systems for the business unit, and drive their adoption across the team

• Work with department leaders to see that hiring, staffing, discipline, and training are accomplished

• Directly lead and develop department leaders, including performance management and succession planning

• Drive engagement, retention, and workforce planning strategies

• Oversee proper administration of business unit payroll controls, travel, job cost, and business unit expense control

• Conduct meetings with department leaders to review schedules, implement programs, and coordinate inter-department activities.

• Ensure that the business unit maintains appropriate training and safety programs

• Prepare annual business unit budget and business plan

• Review long range job planning and assignments with department leaders

• Assist department leaders with counsel of personnel problems and consults with Human Resources as necessary

• Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders (venues, clients, partners)

• Promote a safety-first culture

• Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Master's degree preferred, Bachelor's degree from a 4 year accredited institution with relevant experience required

• Fifteen (15+) plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Demonstrated experience launching, building, or scaling a new business unit, product line, or early-stage operation, comfortable operating with ambiguity and limited precedent

• Thorough knowledge of standard company operating procedures

• Industry experience required

• Proactive leadership skills to effectively oversee, motivate, and direct team members, and provide efficient operational measures.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.

• Reflect a positive demeanor & strong interpersonal skill with internal and external contacts.

• Ability to identify business issues and develop sound/practical resolutions.

• Financial expertise and strong analytical skills to effectively manage all financial & budgetary oversight.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment which may be stressful due to operational demands and sensitive timelines.

• Solid understanding of employment laws such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, etc.

• Understanding of O.S.H.A. requirements

• Understanding of how to leverage internal existing departments and shared-services model rather than rebuilding functions that already exist

• Ability to understand financial statements and company job cost system

• Ability to balance compliance with Freeman corporate policies against the need to move quickly, developing business unit-specific policies when standard corporate processes do not fit

• Good knowledge of and experience in sales

• Skilled at balancing enterprise standards with entrepreneurial agility

• Demonstrates the ability to drive sustained revenue growth and successfully scale business operations in line with strategic objectives

• Achieves strong financial performance by improving profitability and effectively managing costs to meet margin expectations

• Establishes efficient systems, processes, and governance frameworks that enable the business to operate at scale

• Maintains a high level of employee engagement and fosters a positive, high-performing organizational culture

• Builds strong client relationships resulting in high satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term retention

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 25%

What We Offer

The Freeman Company provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Paid Parental Leave

• Life, Accident and Disability

• Retirement with Company Match

• Paid Time Off

Diversity Commitment

At The Freeman Company, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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