Strategy and Operations Manager

Smokeball•Chicago, IL

1d•$105,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Smokeball is seeking a driven, strategic, and hands-on Strategy and Operations Manager to help bring its AI products into the US market and support the company’s growth. Working directly with the President, this role will drive strategic initiatives, connect teams, and help translate ambitious ideas into action. The position is suited to someone who enjoys problem-solving, works well in a fast-paced environment, and can combine strategic thinking with practical execution. This is a hybrid role based in Smokeball’s Chicago, Illinois office. Chicagoland employees are required to work in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The stated base salary range is $105,000–$120,000.

Requirements

3–5 years of experience in management consulting, strategy and operations, business operations, or a similarly demanding environment; exceptional earlier-career candidates are encouraged to apply.
Ability to independently own complex initiatives, work across functions, and deliver results.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, including structuring ambiguous problems and evaluating tradeoffs.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail across competing priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting recommendations to senior leadership.
Strong interpersonal skills and confidence influencing senior stakeholders and driving accountability without formal authority.
Proactive, resourceful mindset and bias for action.
Comfort working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments where processes may not yet exist.
Proficiency with spreadsheets, presentations, data analysis, and modern project management and collaboration tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a startup, early-stage, or high-growth environment.
Experience supporting a product or market launch.
Experience working with global or cross-border teams.
Familiarity with legal tech, SaaS, or professional services.

Responsibilities

Own critical cross-functional projects from planning through execution, beginning with launching AI products.
Partner with the President to turn strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, track commitments, and prepare leadership materials.
Connect AI-focused US teams with global company resources, align stakeholders, and manage dependencies.
Build processes for managing priorities, tracking initiatives, and facilitating leadership meetings.
Research opportunities, analyze alternatives, develop practical recommendations, and own implementation.
Anticipate risks, resolve bottlenecks, and determine when to solve issues independently or escalate them.
Lead special projects such as vendor evaluations, operational improvements, partnership coordination, and business planning.
Synthesize complex information into executive-ready communications.
Conduct research and analyses, prepare presentations, and coordinate vendors as needed.