FutureBrand • Southfield, Michigan, United States ID 5463 Job Description OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, FutureBrand in Detroit Who we are At FutureBrand in Detroit, we create environments where stories come to life and connections thrive. We specialize in crafting transformative spaces while excelling in roll-out programs and implementation services. From technical documentation to site adaptation and construction administration, we ensure every concept is seamlessly executed. Collaborating with brands across industries—from global icons to emerging businesses—we deliver environments that tell powerful stories, elevate brand identity, and leave a lasting impact on audiences. With expertise in retail environments, customer experience design, and architectural services, we bring bold ideas to life. What the role is We're looking for a strategically minded, hands-on Operations Director to support and manage the day-to-day operations of our FutureBrand Detroit studio. We’re looking for someone who can balance structure with agility, oversight with mentorship, and influence with approachability. You’d be a great fit if you have solid experience in creative business operations. In this role you’ll be at a leadership level partnering alongside the VP of Studio, reporting into global leadership to collaborating closely on local decision-making, acting as a mentor and guide for emerging local leaders, and bringing balanced, proactive problem-solving to everyday challenges. Importantly, this person will play a key operational role within the leadership team, complementing the strategic guidance provided by the President, Spatial Design and Amsterdam Operations Director, who continue to steer the direction of the overall Detroit office. This role directly manages the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant who reports into this position. The Executive Assistant will continue to lead on day-to-day administrative tasks and support initiatives, under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Director, who holds ultimate responsibility for operational and administrative delivery. Job Responsibilities Who we are At FutureBrand in Detroit, we create environments where stories come to life and connections thrive. We specialize in crafting transformative spaces while excelling in roll-out programs and implementation services. From technical documentation to site adaptation and construction administration, we ensure every concept is seamlessly executed. Collaborating with brands across industries—from global icons to emerging businesses—we deliver environments that tell powerful stories, elevate brand identity, and leave a lasting impact on audiences. With expertise in retail environments, customer experience design, and architectural services, we bring bold ideas to life. What the role is We're looking for a strategically minded, hands-on Operations Director to support and manage the day-to-day operations of our FutureBrand Detroit studio. We’re looking for someone who can balance structure with agility, oversight with mentorship, and influence with approachability. You’d be a great fit if you have solid experience in creative business operations. In this role you’ll be at a leadership level partnering alongside the VP of Studio, reporting into global leadership to collaborating closely on local decision-making, acting as a mentor and guide for emerging local leaders, and bringing balanced, proactive problem-solving to everyday challenges. Importantly, this person will play a key operational role within the leadership team, complementing the strategic guidance provided by the President, Spatial Design and Amsterdam Operations Director, who continue to steer the direction of the overall Detroit office. This role directly manages the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant who reports into this position. The Executive Assistant will continue to lead on day-to-day administrative tasks and support initiatives, under the supervision and guidance of the Operations Director, who holds ultimate responsibility for operational and administrative delivery. Job Responsibilities Studio Operations Management Ensure smooth day-to-day operations across the Detroit studio. Supervise and delegate to the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant, who supports the implementation of operational processes. Oversee project tracking, resourcing, and workflow planning. Support holiday planning and inter-departmental coordination. Ensure teams have the necessary tools, clarity, and processes to work efficiently. Coordinate and delegate tasks with the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant as needed to ensure high-functioning studio operations. Ensure smooth day-to-day operations across the Detroit studio. Supervise and delegate to the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant, who supports the implementation of operational processes. Oversee project tracking, resourcing, and workflow planning. Support holiday planning and inter-departmental coordination. Ensure teams have the necessary tools, clarity, and processes to work efficiently. Coordinate and delegate tasks with the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant as needed to ensure high-functioning studio operations. Forecast short- and long-term resourcing needs based on new business pipeline and active work. Collaborate with client leads, and studio directors to allocate resources effectively. Resolve conflicts, maintain schedule visibility, and adapt to shifting priorities. Promote agility in resourcing to support both creative and client needs. Forecast short- and long-term resourcing needs based on new business pipeline and active work. Collaborate with client leads, and studio directors to allocate resources effectively. Resolve conflicts, maintain schedule visibility, and adapt to shifting priorities. Promote agility in resourcing to support both creative and client needs. Supervise and support the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant in acting as the main point of contact between the Detroit studio and the central IT team, ensuring smooth communication and effective resolution of studio IT needs. Anticipate and flag studio IT needs in advance, including software, hardware, and infrastructure. Supervise and support the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant in IT setup for new joiners, freelancers, and project-specific needs. Develop and maintain processes to streamline IT requests, troubleshooting, and equipment management. Ensure consistency and compliance with company-wide tech standards and tools. Partner with leadership to support digital tools that enhance productivity and collaboration. Monitor project progress to ensure budgets, scope, and timelines are on track, proactively flagging risks or misalignments. Partner with the US based Finance Manager to maintain project profitability and provide operational insight during key reviews. Collaborate with the Amsterdam-based Finance Director and Operations Director to align billing, reporting, and proposal processes. Support project scoping, staffing models, and financial systems that bridge local studio needs with global standards. Monitor project progress to ensure budgets, scope, and timelines are on track, proactively flagging risks or misalignments. Partner with the US based Finance Manager to maintain project profitability and provide operational insight during key reviews. Collaborate with the Amsterdam-based Finance Director and Operations Director to align billing, reporting, and proposal processes. Support project scoping, staffing models, and financial systems that bridge local studio needs with global standards. Operate at a leadership level alongside senior team members, contributing structure and clarity to decision-making. Actively mentor Studio Directors and emerging leaders to grow the next layer of leadership. Provide thoughtful feedback and create opportunities for development and ownership. Help balance creative ambition with operational realities to ensure scalable, sustainable team growth. Operate at a leadership level alongside senior team members, contributing structure and clarity to decision-making. Actively mentor Studio Directors and emerging leaders to grow the next layer of leadership. Provide thoughtful feedback and create opportunities for development and ownership. Help balance creative ambition with operational realities to ensure scalable, sustainable team growth. Liase with the People & Culture team to align the Detroit studio with global HR policies and systems. Anticipate workforce needs in collaboration with Studio Directors and client leads. Support implementation of onboarding, training, and employee development tools with the support of the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant. Ensure local HR actions are tracked, shared, and supported in line with broader organizational needs. Liase with the People & Culture team to align the Detroit studio with global HR policies and systems. Anticipate workforce needs in collaboration with Studio Directors and client leads. Support implementation of onboarding, training, and employee development tools with the support of the Studio Operations Administrative Assistant. Ensure local HR actions are tracked, shared, and supported in line with broader organizational needs. Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans. Act as a connector between day-to-day operations and senior leadership. Facilitate alignment and knowledge sharing across departments. Support continuous improvement through structured feedback loops and insights. Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative studio culture. Ensure FutureBrand values are reflected in all team interactions. Partner with the Executive Assistant - Ops & Adm to uphold communication standards and internal processes. Support team wellbeing through balanced workloads and consistent leadership engagement. Be the ultimate owner of operational delivery, while empowering the Executive Assistant to contribute to execution. Qualifications 7-10 years of experience in operations and accounts within a design, branding, creative agency, or architectural environment. Experience managing client accounts or working as a project manager to balance internal operations with external client needs. A commercial mindset is essential; the ideal candidate understands how operational decisions impact client relationships, project profitability, and long-term account success. Strong communicator who brings clarity and structure, without rigidity. Confident yet grounded, able to hold their own with strong personalities, but collaborative by nature. Enjoys mentoring others and has a people-first leadership style. Pragmatic thinker with a instinct for action and continuous improvement. Understanding of financial workflows, resourcing tools, and proposal processes. how we’ll compensate you Unlimited paid time-off Top 1% of 401K match plans Comprehensive Healthcare Plan, superior to most #LI-JC2 FutureBrand is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. We will not ask about incarceration history at any point of the application process. If you have a disability, we want everyone to feel at ease when going through our recruitment process. We are working to make our website and processes more accessible, if you encounter any issues and would like this information in an alternative format, or if you need further support with your application, please contact us at hello@futurebrand.com FutureBrand is a brand-led business transformation company. We believe that brand is behaviour. For too long, brand has been thought of as intangible when in fact, it is a highly pragmatic business tool that ensures products, services, environments, and employees show up in the world in ways that are consistent with their organisation’s purpose and ambition. We exist to make brand tangible for our clients by connecting brand to experience and design creativity that in turn connects to marketing and business outcomes. This ensures that our work stands out and endures over time.

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