Director of Operations

We’re Curiosity. An independent creative solutions agency in Cincinnati that lives and breathes the power of being strategically curious. We ask insightful questions to uncover surprising perspectives. Because in a world with no definitive answers, the more curious you are, the more solutions you reveal.

Curiosity fuels brands with fascination. But for Activation, this mission is even sharper. We are the spark that brings ideas to life. Our job is to find the most fascinating, effective, and authentic ways for a brand to intersect with people's lives.

We’re looking for a Director of Operations to lead the operational engine of our full-service agency. This role connects our teams, systems, and processes to drive efficiency, quality, and growth.

As a strategic and hands-on operator, the Director manages a defined book of business, serving as the operational backbone that supports creative, media, and strategy teams. Partnering closely with the EVP of Operations, this role ensures the agency’s systems, workflows, and people are optimized to deliver outstanding client work efficiently and profitably -  enabling creative excellence at scale.

• Lead Operations for a Book of Business: Oversee workflow, resourcing, and profitability for an assigned client portfolio.

• Optimize Agency Processes: Build and refine standardized systems for project management, resourcing, and delivery.
  
• Manage Resourcing & Capacity: Balance workloads, forecast staffing needs, and maximize team utilization.
  
• Oversee Vendors & Compliance Management: Maintain vendor relationships, contracts, and compliance documentation.
  
• Drive Financial Accountability: Partner with Account and Finance teams to monitor scopes, budgets, and operational efficiency.
  
• Champion Continuous Improvement: Identify bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and elevate operational performance.

• Lead Pricing and Product evolution: A leader for new business proposals and agency product and pricing.

• Lead Agency Onboarding for New Hires: Lead the end-to-end onboarding process to ensure all operational processes, tools, and procedures are effectively introduced and adopted.

• Oversee Productions: Lead productions for smaller projects and collaborate with a team on large-scale initiatives, ensuring all workflows, timelines, and processes are properly managed.
  

• 10+ years of agency experience in operations, project management, or production management.
  
• 5+ years in a senior operational role within a full-service creative or media agency.
  
• Proven success managing a book of business — balancing people, process, and profit.
  
• Hands-on experience with agency systems (Workfront, Monday.com, Asana, or similar).

• Knowledge in talent management and SAG-AFTRA is preferred.
  
• Strong financial, vendor, and compliance management acumen.
  
• Collaborative leadership style and excellent communication skills.
  

• A strategic operator who thrives in fast-paced, flexible, creative environments.
• Known for calm leadership, clear communication, and accountability.
• Passionate about building systems that empower people and improve performance.
• Excited to help shape how a growing agency scales smartly.
• Strength in the following:
• • Negotiating
  • Composure
  • Conflict Management
  • Innovation and Change Management
  • Managerial Courage
  • Dealing with Ambiguity
  • Managing through systems
  • Portfolio management
  • Understanding of Others and the strengths they bring
  • Self Starter and Personal Learning 
  • Understanding business needs for clients, applying solutions 
  • Leading New Business proposals and pitch processes