About the Role
Robots & Pencils is looking for a visionary Director of Operations to join our leadership team and drive the operational excellence that fuels our award-winning digital solutions. This role is designed for a strategic thinker who thrives at the intersection of technology and creativity, ensuring our internal processes are as innovative as the products we build for our clients. You will serve as a primary architect of our operational strategy, bridging the gap between high-level business goals and daily execution across our distributed workforce.
As the Director of Operations, you will be responsible for optimizing our delivery models, managing resource allocation, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. We are looking for a leader who can navigate the complexities of a fast-paced agency environment while maintaining a sharp focus on profitability and team wellness. While this is a remote-friendly position, we have a strong preference for candidates located within the Detroit, Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Cleveland metropolitan areas to facilitate periodic regional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and implement operational strategies that align with long-term company goals and quarterly performance targets.
- Oversee the end-to-end project lifecycle, ensuring delivery teams have the tools and processes necessary to exceed client expectations.
- Manage resource planning and capacity management, balancing talent distribution across diverse workstreams to maximize efficiency.
- Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify bottlenecks and implement data-driven solutions.
- Collaborate closely with Finance, HR, and Sales leadership to streamline cross-departmental workflows and improve internal communication.
- Lead and mentor operations staff, fostering a professional environment that encourages growth, diversity, and innovation.
- Optimize the company’s tech stack to ensure seamless collaboration in a remote-first environment.
- Identify and mitigate operational risks through proactive planning and rigorous quality assurance standards.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in an operations leadership role, preferably within a digital agency, consultancy, or technology firm.
- Proven track record of managing complex project portfolios and large, cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate raw data into actionable operational insights.
- Strong understanding of agency financial modeling, including utilization rates, margins, and revenue forecasting.
- Demonstrated expertise in change management and the ability to lead organizations through periods of scale or transition.
- Superior communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Proficiency with modern project management and resource planning software (e.g., Mavenlink, Jira, Asana).
- A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a deep commitment to maintaining a high-performance culture.
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structures.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance packages.
- Flexible PTO policy designed to encourage work-life balance and mental well-being.
- Remote-first work environment with regional hubs for optional in-person connection.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.
- Professional development budget to support continuous learning and industry certifications.
- Generous parental leave and family-supportive policies.
- A collaborative culture that values creativity, robots, and pencils in equal measure.