Operations Manager, Chicago & D.C.

Puppy Sphere • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Puppy Sphere is a high-growth startup redefining the wellness category through puppy therapy. As North America’s original puppy yoga company, they have built a community of over 400,000 people and partnered with global brands like the NBA, TikTok, and Google. They are looking for individuals excited by growth, impact, and who care deeply about people, animals, and raising the bar in everything they do.

The Operations Manager oversees day-to-day studio operations, team execution, and event readiness across up to five Studios. This role is a vital leadership position, responsible for ensuring operational consistency, team support, and a high-quality customer experience. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, people-focused, and execution-driven, with strong visibility into studio performance, team behavior, and guest experience.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in operations, events, hospitality, or customer-facing environments.
• Experience supporting teams and coordinating day-to-day operations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working weekends and being present in-studio.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally as required.
• Must be comfortable working in an active studio environment, including being on feet for extended periods and supporting floor operations when required.
• Must be comfortable working around live animals and in environments where puppies are present during classes and events.
• Proactive, reliable, and execution-focused.
• Strong communicator with a people-first mindset.
• Detail-oriented with high standards for quality and organization.
• Aligned with Puppy Sphere’s values, brand standards, and animal welfare mission.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day studio operations across all locations, ensuring each studio is event-ready, organized, and operating efficiently.
• Ensure studios consistently meet Puppy Sphere’s operational, brand, and customer experience standards.
• Oversee end-to-end logistics for public, private, and community events.
• Act as a primary point of contact during events, resolving issues in real time and escalating when needed.
• Serve as the first escalation point for operational, guest, or animal welfare concerns, ensuring timely documentation and communication to the Regional Operations Manager.
• Maintain regular in-person presence across Chicago studio(s), alongside travel and visits to other studios/markets as required to support operational and business needs, ensuring leadership visibility and consistent standards across locations.
• Guide and support Event Facilitators, Supervisors, and Head Supervisors through ongoing feedback and coaching.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, and training of new event staff.
• Oversee training for new Event Facilitators and Supervisors to ensure consistent execution standards.
• Oversee staff scheduling and ensure adequate coverage across all studios.
• Act as Floor Manager, when onsite, leading teams and supporting execution on-site.
• Ensure staff performance reviews are scheduled and completed by Head Supervisors, escalating performance concerns when necessary.
• Ensure team culture reflects Puppy Sphere’s mission, brand standards, and animal welfare commitments.
• Address behavior or cultural misalignment early, escalating concerns to the Eastern U.S. Regional Operations Manager when necessary.
• Oversee inventory levels, laundry services, weekly deliveries, and studio supplies.
• Ensure studios are consistently stocked, organized, and operationally ready.
• Coordinate and oversee monthly deep cleans across studios.
• Conduct regular studio walkthroughs (in-person and virtual) to proactively identify and address operational gaps.
• Support in-studio initiatives, including retail, add-ons, class packs, memberships and on-site promotions.
• Reinforce upselling standards with event teams to ensure confident, brand-aligned execution.
• Ensure merchandise displays and point-of-sale areas are organized, visible, and well-maintained.
• Flag upselling performance opportunities, gaps and trends to the Eastern U.S. Regional Operations Manager.
• Support local marketing initiatives by assisting with studio activations, partnerships, and community events.
• Help identify local opportunities for collaboration with nearby businesses and community organizations.
• Partner with the Eastern U.S. Operations Manager and Marketing team to bring local marketing initiatives to life operationally.
• Ensure studios are operationally prepared for local campaigns, promotions, and activations.
• Ensure all Animal Welfare protocols are followed during events and studio operations.
• Monitor puppy interactions and escalate any concerns appropriately.
• Ensure accurate tracking of studio-level expenses, including inputting expenses and timely submission of receipts.
• Oversee expense tracking sheets for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain visibility of inventory usage and operational spend.
• Flag discrepancies, risks, or operational inefficiencies to the Eastern U.S. Regional Operations Manager.
• Support special projects, launches, and city-level initiatives as needed.
• Temporarily support or oversee operations in additional cities or studios when required.
• Assist with onboarding, scheduling, inventory, private events and team updates in additional locations as business needs evolve.

Benefits

• Health Insurance eligibility after 90-day probation period
• 10 days paid vacation
• 3 paid wellbeing days
• Annual Team Retreat
• Unlimited complimentary puppy yoga classes for you, family and friends
• Attend networking and unique invite-only events in your city and beyond
• Opportunity to work with celebrity clients and industry giants (recent clients : NBA, TikTok, and Google)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed