Creative Operations Manager

Overview

As the Creative Operations Manager, you will oversee and manage operational support to Esri’s Creative Division, our in-house creative design team. Your role will be essential in ensuring the smooth completion of strategic initiatives and creative projects that promote our brand, software, and services. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to foster awareness of processes and consistent use of tools, and help our team find new ways to take the creative process from concept to production. We are looking for someone who is analytical and detail-oriented, with a strong understanding of operational management and the iterative creative process, to thrive in our environment. Join us in shaping the future of our Creative Lab!

Responsibilities

Project and Resource Management: Establish best practices, tools, platforms, and resources needed to optimize creative workflows and project delivery. Drive strategic initiatives and projects by planning and tracking daily, short- and long-term resource allocation, scheduling, and prioritization. Anticipate challenges, roadblocks and potential delays and proactively provide recommendations and contingency plans to meet identified goals.

Vendor and Contract Management: Identify and establish relationships with vendors relevant to the creative industry, obtaining necessary approvals and documentation for purchasing. Review and approve vendor invoices to ensure accuracy and compliance. Lead requirements gathering, align workflows with business priorities, and manage contract negotiations, ensuring favorable terms and risk mitigation.

Financial and Budget Management: Collaborate with Finance and Accounting to prepare the division’s annual budget, generate financial reports, and provide insights into budget trends. Serve as the primary contact for business guidance, analysis, and risk assessments, coordinating with legal teams and executives to drive strategic outcomes. Conduct ad hoc financial analyses to measure ROI and ensure budget alignment with the division's strategic goals and operational needs.

Operational Efficiency: Implement and optimize CRM, ERP, and contracts management systems to enhance operational efficiency. Collaborate with leadership to develop and execute workload strategies, focusing on cost analysis, risk management, and optimizing licensing and services agreements.

Creative Process Optimization: Collaborate with the Creative Lab Director and cross-functional teams to promote alignment, enhance collaboration, and develop innovative strategies for efficiently guiding the creative process from concept to production within budgetary constraints.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience as a creative operations specialist, operations specialist, operations manager, project operations, or similar role
• Extensive experience in project management, planning, and prioritizing multiple projects
• Understanding of creative processes, including branding, graphic design, content development, video and/or product design
• Proficient in business/financial operations systems such as CRM, ERP, and contracts management
• Strong analytical skills with a proven track record of providing analytical support for problem-solving
• Exceptional organizational skills with a keen eye for detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• You're a motivated, self-starter with a proactive approach to tasks
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this posting. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Recommended Qualifications

• Experience working within a creative or marketing environment
• Knowledge of the creative industry's unique operational needs
• Ability to balance creative support with operational efficiency
• Industry knowledge of video production

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About Esri

At Esri, diversity is more than just a word on a map. When employees of different experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures come together, we are more innovative and ultimately a better place to work. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is unified under our mission of creating positive global change. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a destination but an ongoing process. We are committed to the continuation of learning, growing, and changing our workplace so every employee can contribute to their life’s best work. Our commitment to these principles extends to the global communities we serve by creating positive change with GIS technology. For more information on Esri’s Racial Equity and Social Justice initiatives, please visit our website here.

If you don’t meet all of the preferred qualifications for this position, we encourage you to still apply!

Esri is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email askcareers@esri.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.

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