Creative Operations Manager

Cotopaxi•Salt Lake City, UT

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Cotopaxi, great creative work doesn't happen by accident - it happens because someone is obsessively keeping the trains on time. We're looking for a Creative Operations Manager to be that person: the organizational engine behind our Creative team who makes sure every project, shoot, and deliverable moves forward with intention and momentum. This role will partner closely with the VP of Creative Design and work cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, and beyond - translating big ideas into airtight timelines, keeping stakeholders aligned, and stepping in as executive producer on our major seasonal campaign shoots. This role is perfect for someone who loves building the system, holding the team to it, and rolling up their sleeves when needed. If you thrive in a fast-moving creative environment, care deeply about doing meaningful work, and get genuine satisfaction from watching a complex project land cleanly - we'd love to meet you.

Requirements

5-8 years of experience managing creative or marketing workflows, ideally within an in-house creative team or agency environment.
Proven track record of bringing structure and consistency to high-output creative teams while maintaining on-time, high-quality delivery.
Experienced in creative capacity planning, workload balancing, and agile prioritization - comfortable holding the line on priorities without losing people in the process.
Confident in leading project kick-offs, milestone reviews, and cross-functional check-ins with clear agendas and decisive follow-through.
Proficient in project management tools (ClickUp, Asana, Airtable, Trello, or similar) and familiar with methodologies including Scrum, Agile, and Waterfall; certification is a plus.
Strong analytical thinker - able to translate data into decisions that affect timelines, resources, and project outcomes.
3+ years of hands-on experience working in or alongside a photo/video studio environment.
Experienced producing multi-day shoots end-to-end: talent sourcing and booking, set preparation, equipment coordination, and on-set logistics.
Solid working knowledge of photography equipment, lighting setups, and post-production workflows.
Familiar with CMS and DAM systems and the tools used across creative production workflows.
Comfortable rolling up your sleeves when needed and equally comfortable knowing when to hand off to an outside producer.
A clear, confident communicator who can translate strategy into process and process into action.
Skilled at navigating creative personalities, keeping momentum without micromanaging, and holding teams accountable with a light touch.
Organized and solutions-oriented, able to keep multiple workstreams moving simultaneously without losing sight of the details.
Calm and thoughtful under pressure - the kind of person who steadies the room when priorities shift.
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Design Management, Project Management, or a related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience working with creative teams in a DTC, e-commerce, or brand-forward business.
Direct experience in or adjacent to photography, video, writing, and/or design production.

Nice To Haves

A genuine affinity for the outdoors and/or mission-driven brands is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the creative team's full project pipeline from inception to delivery - managing priorities, timelines, and stakeholder alignment across every workstream.
Build and maintain detailed workback calendars across campaigns, channels, and creative disciplines (Graphics, Copy, Photo/Video).
Scope projects and define objectives in close partnership with Marketing and Creative leadership, ensuring brief quality and clarity before work begins.
Lead creative capacity planning - balancing workload across the team, setting realistic expectations, and surfacing roadblocks early.
Establish and continuously refine workflow systems that bring consistency and structure to how work moves through the team.
Serve as the primary coordination point between Creative and the broader organization, translating strategy into executable timelines.
Facilitate project kick-offs, weekly check-ins, milestone reviews, and lessons-learned sessions with clear agendas and action-oriented follow-ups.
Track and report project status, team bandwidth, and key deadlines to senior leadership; partner with the GTM team to keep launch calendars on track.
Act as executive producer for 4–5 major seasonal campaign shoots annually, overseeing all logistics from pre-production through wrap.
Manage day-to-day studio operations - maintaining a well-equipped, organized production environment and owning the studio calendar.
Coordinate all shoot logistics: scheduling photographers, stylists, and talent; sourcing and renting equipment; securing props; and overseeing set construction and strike.
Manage asset handoff to post-production, ensuring smooth transitions and clear delivery standards.
Foster a collaborative on-set environment where photographers, stylists, models, and other creatives have what they need to do their best work.
Own and manage the Creative team's annual budget - tracking expenses across projects, production, and operational spend, and partnering with Finance to forecast and reconcile throughout the year.
Ensure all projects are scoped and executed within approved budgets, flagging risks and variances early.
Manage contracts and agreements with external contractors, freelancers, and production vendors, including talent contracts, model agreements, and usage rights documentation.
Vet, onboard, and manage relationships with preferred vendors and production partners; coordinate with Legal and/or HR on compliance requirements.
Track and process vendor and freelancer invoices accurately and on time.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision benefits with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.
Company-paid basic life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
Voluntary short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.
Company-paid employee assistance program.
Company-paid volunteer time.
401(k) plan with employer match.
Unlimited responsible PTO.
Summer Fridays and Impact Days spent supporting our local communities.
Deep product discounts with 60% off Cotopaxi gear.
Exclusive discounts from partner outdoor and lifestyle brands.
Learning and development opportunities.
Regular in-person and virtual events that bring our team together.