Creative Operations Manager

Arena3 Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Arena3 is seeking a highly organized Creative Operations Manager to take ownership of day-to-day business operations in London, Bermondsey. This hands-on role oversees finance, HR, contracts, systems and compliance while enabling growth and profitability.

Working directly with the founders, you’ll build processes, dashboards and playbooks to scale the business. Immediate start on an initial 6-month fixed-term contract with potential extension.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in operations, ideally within a creative agency, production company or similar business.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and profitability experience.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Xero or similar financial software.
• Experience managing HR, business systems, contracts and operational processes.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Confident working independently and directly with senior stakeholders.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with exceptional attention to detail.
• An interest in technology, automation and AI.

Responsibilities

• Oversee invoicing, payments, expenses and financial administration through QuickBooks.
• Develop financial dashboards covering revenue, costs, profitability, cash flow and forecasting.
• Monitor project profitability, time tracking and resource utilisation.
• Own and optimise Arena3's internal systems, software and operational workflows.
• Develop an Arena3 Operations Playbook documenting key processes and best practices.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, file management, subscriptions and access permissions.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, AI and better processes.
• Manage employee contracts, onboarding, off-boarding, holidays and sickness.
• Oversee HR systems, policies, training and employee documentation.
• Support recruitment and workforce planning.
• Coordinate with external HR advisers to ensure compliance and best practice.
• Manage client contracts, supplier agreements, NDAs and business terms.
• Oversee business insurance, GDPR and health and safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance records and coordinate external legal and specialist support.
• Take ownership of general business administration and office operations.
• Develop operational reporting and business performance KPIs.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements.
• Support the founders with forecasting, resource planning and long-term business development.

Skills

Operations management

Financial acumen

HR systems

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Process improvement

Automation & AI interest

Tools

QuickBooks

Xero

Google Workspace

BrightHR

Trello

Job description

Location: London, Bermondsey, studio based

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Start: Immediate

Contract: Initial 6-month fixed-term contract, with potential to extend

About Arena3

Arena3 is a fast-growing creative agency operating at the intersection of sport, entertainment and culture.

We work with some of the world's most ambitious rights holders, athletes and brands, combining strategy, storytelling, design and film to deliver exceptional creative work and commercial impact.

We're now looking for an experienced Creative Operations Manager to help shape the next stage of our growth.

The Role

We're looking for a highly organised, commercially minded and proactive Creative Operations Manager to take ownership of Arena3's day-to-day business operations and help build the systems, processes and infrastructure to support our future growth.

Working directly with the founders, you'll oversee the business behind the creative - from finance, HR and compliance to systems, reporting and operational planning.

This is a hands-on role with genuine responsibility and autonomy. We're looking for someone who doesn't just maintain processes, but actively identifies opportunities to make the business more efficient, profitable and scalable.

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Commercial Performance

• Oversee invoicing, payments, expenses and financial administration through QuickBooks.
• Manage relationships with accountants and external financial advisers.
• Develop financial dashboards covering revenue, costs, profitability, cash flow and forecasting.
• Monitor project profitability, time tracking and resource utilisation.
• Support budgeting, financial planning and commercial decision-making.

Systems & Processes

• Own and optimise Arena3's internal systems, software and operational workflows.
• Develop an Arena3 Operations Playbook, documenting key processes and best practices.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, file management, subscriptions and access permissions.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, AI and better processes.

People & HR

• Manage employee contracts, onboarding, off-boarding, holidays and sickness.
• Oversee HR systems, policies, training and employee documentation.
• Support recruitment and workforce planning.
• Coordinate with external HR advisers to ensure compliance and best practice.

Legal, Compliance & Business Administration

• Manage client contracts, supplier agreements, NDAs and business terms.
• Oversee business insurance, GDPR and health and safety requirements.
• Maintain compliance records and coordinate external legal and specialist support.
• Take ownership of general business administration and office operations.

Business Planning & Growth

• Develop operational reporting and business performance KPIs.
• Identify inefficiencies and implement practical improvements.
• Support the founders with forecasting, resource planning and long-term business development.
• Help build an efficient, professional and scalable business.

Who You Are

You're someone who loves making businesses work better.

You combine exceptional organisation with strong commercial awareness, a proactive mindset and the confidence to take ownership.

You're equally comfortable managing the details of day-to-day operations and contributing to bigger-picture business decisions.

You understand the balance between structure and flexibility in a creative environment and thrive in a growing business where no two days are the same.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years' experience in operations, ideally within a creative agency, production company or similar business.
• Strong financial and commercial understanding, including budgeting, forecasting and profitability.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Xero or similar financial software.
• Experience managing HR, business systems, contracts and operational processes.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Confident working independently and directly with senior stakeholders.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with exceptional attention to detail.
• An interest in technology, automation and AI.

Bonus Points

• Experience in sport, entertainment or creative production.
• Familiarity with Float, Trello, Google Workspace and BrightHR.
• Experience developing financial dashboards and improving business processes.

Why Arena3?

This is an opportunity to play an influential role in a growing creative agency, working directly with the founders and helping shape the future of the business.

You'll have genuine autonomy, the opportunity to make a tangible impact and the chance to work alongside a talented team delivering high-profile creative projects for global clients.