Chief of Staff

Arena Magazine; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arena Magazine, based in Austin, TX, seeks a Chief of Staff to align and drive multiple operational initiatives as the team scales. You will juggle events, podcast production, retailer deals, and distribution, while maintaining focus and rapid execution.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years in operations or consulting, strong quantitative/presentation skills, and a startup mindset. You must write clearly, move fast, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in operations or consulting.
• Strong quantitative and presentation skills; Excel or SQL a plus.
• Startup mindset; dislike of bureaucracy; fast-paced environment.
• Able to communicate quickly, hit deadlines, and manage ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate, scope, plan, execute, and document projects across events, distribution, publishing, and partnerships.
• Coordinate with leadership to keep the team on track and aligned on priorities.
• Organize multiple initiatives, track tests, and report progress regularly.
• Write clear briefs, summaries, and meeting notes to inform decisions.
• Balance numerous tasks and deliver tangible results on time.

Skills

Operations

Analytics

Excel

SQL

Communication

Job description

About Arena Magazine

Arena is a high end print media company telling the Great American Story of entrepreneurship, technology, and capital. We have a print magazine and coffee table books division. We’re based in Austin, TX. Read our content here.

About the Role

Arena Magazine is looking for a chief of staff to manage alignment and progress across operational initiatives as the team grows.

We’re seeking someone with an operational and analytical background that can juggle multiple projects at once. Someone who is excited to buy meta ads in the morning and plan an event in the afternoon.

You will be tasked with evaluating, scoping, planning, executing, and documenting various projects that may include but are not limited to: events, podcast production, printer relations, retailer deal execution (e.g. Barnes & Noble), a deep dive on financial statements, standing up a bookstore, managing the distribution of a book, finding new distribution channels, tracking and measuring tests, acting as meeting secretary, organizing multiple startups for a merch store, or completing mundane tasks such as filing and mailing things. We’re looking for a 5-tool player.

You will work directly with leadership and be tasked with to keeping the team on track.

You!

• Experience: At least 2-4 years of experience in an operations or consulting role

• Skills: You have great quantitative and presentation skills, proven excel or sql skills a plus

• Fan of Arena: You already enjoy Arena! Liking the content and our vibe is going to be key to a successful role here. Love of country is a must.

• Attention to Detail: You sweat the small stuff

• Startup: You actively want to join a startup; you abhor corporate bureaucracy

• You must be able to communicate quickly and clearly

• You must be able to move FAST

• You must be able to consistently hit deadlines

• You must be comfortable with ambiguity, the scope of this role is subject to change to meet the needs of the business as we grow

• You must be able to break big tasks down into smaller pieces and execute on them in a timely manner

• You are a strong writer and must be able to write clear prose

• This role will require working hard and with availability at most times during the day

We have a strong preference for Austin, TX based, or willingness to move to Austin