Creative Operations Manager - New York - Narratively, Inc.

Description

About Narratively

Narratively is an award-winning storytelling studio at the intersection of publishing, podcasts, Hollywood and the creator economy. For over a decade, we've produced authentic human stories that move millions—cultivating the next generation of talent, landing on TIME's Top 50 Websites, and sparking Hollywood bidding wars along the way.

Now we're scaling our next chapter: transforming our library of 3,000+ true stories into video podcasts and new digital formats that reach audiences everywhere. We're building a new model for storytelling—one that empowers creators, owns audiences, and proves that great stories can build exceptional businesses.

Our partners span the content landscape: brands like American Express and Marriott, media platforms like iHeart and NPR, Hollywood studios from Amazon to Warner Bros., and cultural icons including LeBron James, Emma Roberts and 50 Cent. 

We're scrappy, ambitious, and ready to grow. That's where you come in.

The Role

We're looking for a Creative Operations Manager who can turn creative momentum and complexity into creative flow.

You'll be the operational backbone for a small but mighty team producing editorial features, podcasts, video content, branded partnerships, and storytelling courses—often simultaneously. You thrive at the intersection of creativity and process, keeping projects on track without killing the magic.

This is a part-time contract role hours/week for an initial 4 months) with the potential to grow into full-time as we scale. You'll work closely with our founders and cross-functional team (editorial, production, partnerships, business development) to build the systems that let great work happen.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Gets energized by organizing complexity
• Loves making creative people's lives easier
• Can manage multiple projects without breaking a sweat
• Wants to help build something from the ground up

What You'll Do

Keep Projects Moving

• Own project timelines, client and contractor communication, and cross-functional coordination across editorial, podcasts, branded content, and storyteller education initiatives
• Manage intake, briefs, schedules, and deliverables—making sure nothing falls through the cracks
• Identify bottlenecks before they become problems and proactively solve them

Build Systems That Scale

• Create and maintain workflows, templates, and tools (timelines, budgets, status trackers) that support a growing team
• Implement project management best practices while staying flexible for creative pivots
• Maintain asset organization, version control, and documentation

Support the Team

• Coordinate with freelancers, agencies, and vendors (onboarding, contracts, tracking performance)
• Act as the bridge between internal teams and external partners
• Ensure everyone has what they need to do their best work: clear briefs, realistic timelines, and breathing room

Manage External Partnerships

• Handle day-to-day client/partner communication for branded content and partnership projects
• Prepare, review, and manage contracts for clients, partners, editorial contributors, freelancers, and vendors
• Coordinate invoicing (outgoing to clients, incoming from vendors/contributors) and payment tracking

Grow With Us

• Months 1-2: Own branded content operations and partnership / business development operations, support 1-2 video podcast launches
• Months 2-3: Take over editorial operations + calendars, contributor management, contracts) and course operations (launches, promotions, student fulfillment, contracts, invoices)
• Beyond: Shape how we work as we scale from scrappy startup to sustainable studio—as we grow, we'll build the team around you

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 4-6+ years in creative operations, project management, or editorial/production environments
• Deep understanding of creative workflows—especially podcasts, video, branded content, or editorial production
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Strong communication skills—you can talk to clients, wrangle freelancers, and translate business goals into actionable plans
• Comfortable handling business operations tasks (contracts, invoicing, vendor coordination) until we bring on dedicated business ops support
• Thrive in ambiguity—you can build the plane while flying it
• Tech-savvy with project management and AI tools, Google Workspace, Slack, and quick to learn new platforms

Bonus Points For:

• Background supporting editorial teams or in-house creative departments
• Experience with CRM systems
• Experience in fast-paced, small-team environments where you wear multiple hats
• A love of great stories and the creator economy

What Success Looks Like

30 Days:

• You've taken ownership of operations for active branded content projects, partnerships and business development—timelines are clear, clients and partners are happy, internal team knows what's happening
• You're actively supporting 1-2 video podcast launch initiatives (coordinating talent, scheduling development calls, tracking pitch timelines, managing production prep)
• You're handling contracts and invoicing for partners and vendors (keeping cash flow moving while leadership focuses on deals)
• You've identified 2-3 operational wins and implemented them
• Leadership can see real progress toward launching shows in Q2

60 Days:

• You're managing editorial calendars for and Narratively Academy
• You've taken over Academy class operations (launches, promotions, student registration and fulfillment)
• At least one video podcast is in active production with clear timelines, budgets, and cross-functional coordination
• Cross-functional coordination is smoother—less scattered communication, more proactive planning
• You've built templates and systems that others can use (pitch decks, production timelines, budgets, contract templates)

90 Days:

• You're supporting new business development (outreach to new sponsors/platforms, pipeline tracking, prospect follow-up)
• 1-2 video podcasts have launched or are days from launch—you owned the operational execution that made it happen
• Dedicated business ops support is being onboarded (you're handing off contracts/invoicing and focusing more on creative operations)
• Leadership has 20-30 hours/month freed up to focus on closing deals and developing new shows
• You've become indispensable—the team wonders how they ever functioned without you

Why Narratively?

• Real impact, fast: You're joining at the exact moment we're scaling into our next chapter. Your systems will directly enable growth from scrappy startup to sustainable studio—this isn't theoretical, it's happening now.
• Work with exceptional stories: Our IP library has sparked Hollywood bidding wars, attracted celebrity EPs like 50 Cent and Emma Roberts, and been developed with major studios and streamers. You'll help continually bring these stories to bigger audiences.
• Build with proven founders: We've been at this for over a decade—profitable, independent, and trusted by partners from Amazon to iHeart. We've trained thousands of storytellers and know how to punch well above our weight. We just need help scaling smart.
• Flexibility that actually works: Remote, part-time, asynchronous-friendly. We care about outcomes, not hours logged hrs/week to start, with room to grow as we do.
• Shape the future: You're not inheriting someone else's system—you're building it from the ground up. Your early decisions will define how Narratively operates for years to come.

Logistics

• Location: Remote (We're based in NYC and welcome occasional in-person collaboration if you're local or visiting.)
• Hours: 20-25 hours/week (flexible scheduling, some core overlap with EST)
• Compensation: $3,500-4,500/month
• Start Date: ASAP 
• Reports To: CEO (Noah Rosenberg)

How to Apply

You can apply through LinkedIn Easy Apply OR for priority consideration, email us directly:

Email to:

Subject line: "Creative Ops - [Your Name]"

Include:

1. Your resume or LinkedIn profile
2. A short note words) answering:

• What excites you about this role?
• Tell us about a time you brought order to creative chaos
• What's your superpower when it comes to operations?

We review applications on a rolling basis and move quickly for the right person.

Narratively is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.