Senior Manager, Business Operations
The Senior Manager, Business Operations plays a key role in supporting the financial health and operational effectiveness of our client's Integrated Content division. This role oversees budget strategy, manages business relationships, and coordinates deliverables across journalism, research, and multimedia production.
This position project-manages grant-funded initiatives, ensures analytics and audience engagement data are translated into actionable insights, and works closely with the Managing Director, Integrated Content to identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency, grow grant funding and advertising revenue, and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization’s short-form content.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Business Development Strategy and Operations
- Manage the department’s budget and business strategy, including forecasting and reconciliation, with a focus on achieving advertising and sponsorship revenue goals
- Support the team in external partner (client) invoice work, contracts, and agreement fulfillment, including monitoring and approving contractor invoices
- Represent Integrated Content internally and externally, collaborating with cross-functional partners, colleagues, peer organizations, and industry stakeholders
- Lead operational efforts, including audience strategy and development, website auditing, and analytics reporting
- Serve as the point of contact and signatory for internal and external programs and processes (including social media accounts)
Philanthropic Revenue Support
- Support relationship management with funders (led by the Strategic Partnerships Team) by preparing materials, coordinating communications, and ensuring follow-through on commitments
- Collaborate closely with the Strategic Partnerships Team to align resources and support cross-organizational philanthropic initiatives
- Compile and present audience engagement and impact data to support grant reporting and funder communications
Earned Revenue Support
- Manage relationships with third-party vendors, ensuring contract compliance, monitoring revenue and sales performance, and identifying opportunities to grow advertising and sponsorship revenue
- Support the Creative Studio team in the delivery of sponsored content
Requirements
Knowledge
- Bachelor’s degree required (education, business, nonprofit management, or related field preferred)
- Familiarity with grant processes and philanthropic funding cycles
- Business development knowledge, particularly in mission-driven or nonprofit environments
- Familiarity with tools such as HubSpot, Salesforce, Asana, and Google Analytics
Skills and Abilities
- Strong data analysis, financial reporting, and analytical skills
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple, overlapping projects and relationships
- Ability to navigate competing priorities and align cross-functional teams
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives
- Strong systems orientation, with experience improving tools and processes
- Ability to thrive in lean environments and build new processes from the ground up
- Proficiency in Google Suite, budgeting tools, project management platforms, and remote collaboration tools
Critical Success Factors / Leadership Attributes
- Creates value for the organization
- Communicates effectively and keeps stakeholders informed
- Continuously learns and applies new knowledge
- Encourages collaboration, creativity, and team contribution
- Executes with accountability, tracking progress and results
- Adapts to change and drives continuous improvement
- Leads with authenticity and sets a strong personal example
Experience
- 5–10 years of experience across education, business operations, partnerships, or project management
- Experience managing or coordinating grant-funded initiatives; familiarity with philanthropic funding (especially in education journalism or research) is a plus
- Experience working in or alongside digital media, journalism, or content organizations preferred
- Experience managing departmental or divisional budgets
- Experience using analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to inform strategy and reporting
