Creative Operations Manager

Overview

Level: Mid-Senior
Position Type: Full Time
Compensation: $75K-$100K (DOE) + benefits, early-stage equity
Location: NYC — hybrid office/WFH model
Reports to: CEO

The Role

We’re looking for a Creative Operations Manager to act as the project manager and process owner across all marketing workstreams. You’ll keep the calendar accurate, the team aligned, and launches moving from brief to deploy with clarity and speed. 

Working within a small team, you must be both a strategic leader and you must execute. You’ll report into the CEO.

What You’ll Do

Marketing Calendar Planning & Workflow

• Maintain a single source of truth calendar with the Brand Marketing Manager and CEO, backing out dates and dependencies for smooth, on-time deployments
• Run bi-weekly calendar check-ins and route updates to stakeholders, ensuring owners, due dates, and requirements are clear and current
• Rework timelines and communicate changes when priorities shift, documenting risks and mitigation plans
• Own task creation, routing, and status hygiene in Airtable (PM Tool)

Long-Term Planning

• Build long-range plans for Holiday/BFCM, launches, Sephora programs (Beauty Insider events, in-store activations), promotional timeframes, and key launches
• Keep the organization planned 3–6 months out with interim checkpoints, asset lock dates, and hand-offs
• Drive cross-functional pre-reads and alignment, creating early checkpoints on key stakeholders calendars

Event & Activation Management

• Own planning and logistics for brand and launch events, from brief and budget to wrap
• Source vendors and components, manage POs and timelines, and ensure on-time-in-full delivery
• Build and own the day-of run of show (ROS) and contingency plans
• Track spend against budget and reconcile invoices post-event

PR Mailers & Physicals

• Own the master mailer calendar aligned to launches, press/editor outreach, retail events, and seasonal moments
• Build scopes and budgets for kits and physical collateral, source components and finishes, and manage transactions and logistics
• Create kitting plans, pick/pack instructions, and QC checklists; coordinate assembly with the office manager and 3PL to ensure timely product delivery for outbound sends
• Reconcile budgets, inventory, and overage; produce post-mailer recaps with learnings and recommendations

Photoshoot Production

• Translate creative briefs into production plans with timelines and budgets
• Source and contract photographer and set/prop support; negotiate rates and usage terms
• Build call sheets, day-of run of show (ROS), and contingency plans; manage catering, transit, and on-set safety protocol
• Oversee on-set logistics, continuity, and quality control to brand standards; keep the day on time and on budget
• Facilitate relationship with retoucher and photographer on selects, collaborate with Design on retouching notes, color management, and version control for each channel. Make sure photographer receives final retouched folder

Continuous Improvement

• Run post-mortems and convert learnings into updated SOPs, checklists, and templates

Requirements

• 3–6+ years of project or operations management in a marketing or creative environment

• Proven long-lead planning skills with the ability to zoom into the details without losing the big picture
• Mastery of organization and communication, translating ambiguity into clear tasking and timelines
  Fluency in Google Workspace and comfort with Airtable; familiarity with a PM tool (Asana, Notion, Monday, or similar)
• Collaborative mindset and calm under pressure, with a knack for driving alignment across small, fast-moving teams
• Light familiarity with Shopify, Klaviyo, Figma/Adobe, and basic budget tracking is a plus.
• Strong track record of effective leadership and collaboration in a cross-functional role.

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

Salary and equity compensation package. Health, vision, and dental insurance. 15 days paid time off, observed holidays, 5 days sick leave.

EEO

Soft Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees