Deputy Head of Operations (Creative agency)

The Deputy Head of Studio Operation is a high-impact leadership position designed for a Co-Pilot. This role was created to extend the Managing Director's capacity as KObi scales across Southeast Asia and internationally.

You are the bridge between vision and execution. You will work hand-in-hand with the MD and other Managers, taking full ownership of the Vietnam studio's daily heartbeat while steering its long-term strategic growth. This is not an administrative post; it is a commercial and operational command role that demands a rare blend of creative empathy, business precision and customers/ humans care.

A. Operational Excellence & Studio Command

- Direct the day-to-day rhythm of the South East Asia -Vietnam studio, ensuring team well-being meets high-performance output.

- Practice, get implemented and refine internal processes (Design, Back Office, Operations) to support a rapidly scaling team.

- Serve as the MD's proxy in high-stakes internal and external forums.

B. Customer care & Market Influence

- Co-pilot the expansion strategy across Vietnam and the SEA region.

- Cultivate Level 1 relationships with elite architects, developers, and global partners.

C. Financial & Contractual Stewardship

- Maintain a hawk-eye view of project budgets, project P&L, and studio expenses.

- Drive debt recovery and financial follow-ups with professional but strict diplomacy.

- Ensure every contract protects KObi's intellectual and commercial interests.

D. People, Culture & Synergy

- Foster a multicultural, inclusive KObi Culture that attracts top-tier talent : The KObi Vibe: High Standards, Low Ego. We're a global collective of 20+ humans who believe that Hard Work and Human Ethics aren't mutually exclusive. We value Excellence over ego and Expertise over hierarchy. If you're about Sustainability that actually works and Respect that's earned, you'll fit right in. We're building something independent, transparent, and slightly obsessed with the night.

- Act as the linguistic and cultural bridge (Vietnamese English & French), ensuring seamless communication across our global offices.

- Ensure the studio integrity and ethical working approach internally and externally whatever the context

- Experience: 5+ years in a management or Chief of Staff role within a Lighting or Creative agency.

- The Mindset: You are a Solutions (Lighting) Architect & Engineer. You don't just find problems; you build the systems that prevent them. You are extremely organized and

- Linguistic Mastery: Fluent in Vietnamese and English (French is a significant advantage).

- Business Savvy: Comfortable with the nuances of design, HR, contract law, financial tracking, and regional commercial etiquette.

- An engineering background is a plus.

- A Seat at the Table: Real influence on the strategy of an international design firm.

- The Trajectory: A transparent path to step into a Country Manager or General Director role as we expand.

- The Perks: Competitive salary, private health insurance, and a vibrant, design-led workspace in District 2 (Thanh My Loi), a great dynamic team of experts.

- The Legacy: Help lead a pioneer company that is actively fighting light pollution and promoting sustainable design in Asia.

Managing Director