Job Title: Director of Operations - Must have services industry experience

Location: Chicago, IL, USA, hybrid work schedule

Company Overview:

Curioso is an interior design and brand design firm dedicated to creating innovative and impactful spaces and brand identities. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach, creative excellence, and commitment to client satisfaction. We are currently seeking a detail-oriented and strategic Director of operations to oversee and streamline our operations across multiple departments.

Position Overview:

This role is responsible for ensuring that our cross-functional internal teams and processes run smoothly, effectively, and efficiently. The Director of Operations will drive improvements in operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and provide essential support to meet our business needs and objectives. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, a natural problem solver, and thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Efficiency & Effectiveness:
• Monitor and optimize workflow across teams, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.
• Analyze, develop, and implement operational processes to improve overall company efficiency.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement, creating strategies to address them.
• Work with the Studio Orchestrator to implement and oversee systems for project management, time tracking, resource allocation, and cross-team collaboration.

• Team Management & Coordination:
• Lead and Manage a cross-functional operations team to ensure seamless collaboration between departments (design, marketing, business development, finance, people & culture, etc.).
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across teams.
• Manage daily and weekly operations meetings, keeping teams aligned with company goals, priorities, and deadlines.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for operational issues and escalations, resolving them quickly and effectively.
• Promote a collaborative work environment by facilitating effective communication and teamwork across departments.
• Act as a liaison between departments to address operational issues, resolve conflicts, and ensure alignment with company objectives.

• Business Support & Strategy:
• Support leadership in aligning operational practices with company objectives and long-term goals.
• Collaborate with department heads to ensure resources are efficiently allocated across all projects.
• Partner with the leadership team to develop and implement strategies that drive business growth and profitability.

• Reporting and Analysis:

• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to track key metrics and performance indicators.
• Provide regular reporting and insights on operational performance,KPIs, and project statuses to company leadership.
• Conduct detailed analyses of operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations based on data analysis to support decision-making and strategic planning.

• Process Improvement:
• Analyze existing operational processes across departments and identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Optimize workflows by automating routine tasks where possible, improving team productivity and focus.
• Conduct regular reviews of processes and performance metrics to identify trends, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback and suggestions from team members and implementing changes as appropriate.
• Identify and implement new technologies, tools, and systems to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks.
• Continuously seek feedback from teams to iterate on processes and tools.

• Financial Management:
• Collaborate with finance and project management teams to ensure projects are delivered on budget.
• Track and manage operational costs, finding ways to reduce expenses while maintaining efficiency.
• Oversee vendor relationships and procurement of tools, software, and resources needed for operations

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of 9 years of experience in an operations management role, preferably within the interior design, brand design, or other creative/consultant agency.

Proven experience in managing diverse operational departments.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across teams.

Proficiency in operational software and tools (e.g., CMap, Asana)

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Bonus: Fluent in both English and Spanish

Why Join Us:

Be part of a creative and innovative company at the forefront of design.

Opportunity to lead and shape operational strategies that impact company growth.

Collaborative work environment with a focus on professional development and career growth.

Curioso is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.