About the Role
The Creative Operations Manager (COM) is the operational backbone of Hartmann Studiosโ creative engineโowning workflow, production logistics, and executional precision from intake through final delivery. This role ensures creative ideas move seamlessly from concept to physical reality by aligning people, process, and production across a fastโpaced, highโstakes environment.
Equal parts systems thinker and productionโminded leader, the COM brings a deep understanding of print production, largeโformat signage, and physical deliverables, enabling the creative team to design boldly while trusting that timelines, specs, and execution are rockโsolid. They optimize creative workflows, anticipate operational friction, and ensure every deliverableโespecially those that leave the screen and enter the worldโis produced with accuracy, efficiency, and quality.
As the single source of truth for workflow health, schedules, and production readiness, the Creative Operations Manager empowers Creative Directors and Art Directors to focus on vision and craftโwhile ensuring operational discipline turns great ideas into flawless execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Own creative operations from intake through final delivery, ensuring all work meets Hartmann Studiosโ creative, brand, and quality standards.
- Translate incoming requests into clear scopes, timelines, and productionโready plans, anticipating downstream print and physical production needs.
- Manage timelines, milestones, and operational checkpoints for both smallโscale and productionโheavy projects (print, largeโformat signage, presentations, experiential assets).
- Oversee creative production execution, including file readiness, specs, proofing, approvals, version control, and final release.
- Serve as the final operational checkpoint before deliveryโconfirming accuracy, alignment, and production readiness.
- Balance workloads and resources across designers and production partners, adjusting quickly as scope, timing, or priorities shift.
- Act as the primary point of contact for workflow, job status, risks, and deadlinesโproviding clear, proactive communication to Creative leadership and partners.
- Identify and resolve operational friction, championing efficient, scalable workflows that support creative excellence.
- Document, evolve, and uphold best practices for creative operations, production handoffs, and asset management.
Qualifications & Experience
- 5+ years of experience in creative operations, creative production, or project management within an agency, experiential, or designโdriven environment.
- Demonstrated experience supporting or overseeing print production, largeโformat signage, or physical creative deliverables.
- Strong understanding of creative workflows from concept through production and execution.
- Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, shifting priorities, and productionโdriven timelines.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and problemโsolving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, Workfront, and production workflows is a plus.
- Detailโdriven, proactive, and collaborativeโcomfortable serving as the connective tissue between creative vision and operational reality.