📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Operations Manager
🔹 Company: Planet
🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States (Hybrid role, 3 days on-site)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Operations
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site in San Francisco)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing and optimizing creative workflows across digital design, copywriting, and multimedia deliverables
- Balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day execution to ensure high-quality, high-volume creative output
- Streamlining intake, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration to meet business goals
- Leveraging data and emerging technologies like AI to enhance creative throughput and operational efficiency
- Collaborating with global teams and stakeholders to ensure project success
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, communication, and project management skills to balance multiple projects and stakeholders effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Project & Workflow Management: Own end-to-end project lifecycle from intake through delivery, lead scoping, timeline development, and milestone tracking, translate ambiguous requests into clear project plans, manage shifting scopes, and maintain team alignment and delivery precision
✅ Resource & Capacity Planning: Collaborate with creative leads to allocate design, copy, and production resources based on forecasted needs, monitor workload distribution, and adjust assignments in real-time to meet deadlines
✅ Cross-Functional Communication & Stakeholder Management: Act as the central point of contact for marketing, product, leadership, and external partners regarding creative deliverables, lead project-related meetings, and synthesize feedback from multiple teams
✅ Process Improvement & Operational Excellence: Continuously analyze and improve creative production processes, document workflows and best practices, and serve as a thought partner to the Brand Ops leadership team in evolving how the creative team operates
✅ Measurement & Reporting: Track project performance and creative output volume, use data to evaluate project success and identify improvement areas, and support budget planning for Creative by working with contractors and agencies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills and a data-driven mindset to continuously improve creative operations and drive decision-making.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Marketing, or a related discipline) or equivalent experience
Experience: 5+ years of experience in creative project management or creative operations, ideally in a high-volume, fast-paced, and evolving environment
Required Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, JIRA) and resource planning platforms
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Proven success managing digital marketing campaigns across web, mobile, social, and video
- Agency or in-house brand experience
- Experience working with Earth Observation (“Space”) companies
- Tech-savvy, with excellent Excel skills and the ability to learn new platforms quickly
- Comfortable managing ambiguity, juggling multiple priorities, and delivering under tight deadlines
- Metrics-driven with experience using data to optimize creative throughput and effectiveness
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with AI tools or an interest in how AI can enhance creative workflows
- Experience developing creative briefs, production timelines, and campaign roadmaps
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong background in creative project management and a proven track record of driving operational excellence in a fast-paced environment are ideal for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $90,200 - $112,700 USD per year (San Francisco-based salary range, final salary range determined by job-related experience, skills, and location)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
- Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
- 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Home Office Reimbursement
- Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
- Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
- Equity
- Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)
- Volunteering Paid Time Off
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with the option to work remotely 2 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for similar roles in the San Francisco area. Final salary offers will be determined by the candidate's experience, skills, and location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and insights, operating in the Software Development industry
Company Size: Planet is a mid-sized company with 501-1,000 employees, providing a collaborative and innovative work environment
Founded: Planet was founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, with a mission to image all of Earth’s landmass every day and make global change visible, accessible, and actionable
Company Description:
- Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest fleet of imaging satellites, as well as online software, tools, and analytics needed to deliver data to users
- The company provides decision-makers in business, government, and organizations with data and machine learning-powered analytics to develop new technologies, drive revenue, power research, and make informed, timely decisions to solve world's toughest challenges
- Planet is committed to helping the whole Planet and representing all of it within each of its offices and on all of its teams, guided by an ultimate north star of Belonging
Company Specialties:
- Aerospace
- Analytics
- Big Data
- Imagery
- Satellites
- Hardware
- Software
- Space
- GIS
- and Geospatial
Company Website: https://www.planet.com/
ASSUMPTION: Planet's unique mission and innovative approach to data collection and analysis make it an attractive place to work for individuals passionate about using technology to solve global challenges.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in creative project management and operations
Reporting Structure: The Creative Operations Manager will report directly to the Brand Operations leadership team and collaborate with various stakeholders, including marketing, product, and external partners
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring the candidate to work from the San Francisco office 3 days per week, with the option to work remotely 2 days per week
Growth Opportunities:
- As Planet continues to grow and expand its offerings, there will be opportunities for the Creative Operations Manager to take on additional responsibilities and advance their career within the Brand team or the broader organization
- The role provides exposure to various aspects of the business, allowing the candidate to develop a well-rounded understanding of Planet's operations and contribute to strategic decision-making
- Planet's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development provides opportunities for the candidate to grow both personally and professionally
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Operations Manager role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on Planet's creative operations and contribute to the company's overall success.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Planet's San Francisco office is a collaborative and innovative workspace, designed to foster creativity and productivity
Office Location(s): 645 Harrison St, Floor 4, San Francisco, California 94107, US
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a vibrant and diverse city, known for its cultural attractions, tech industry, and natural beauty
- The city offers a high cost of living but provides ample opportunities for personal and professional growth
- San Francisco's mild Mediterranean climate makes it an attractive place to live and work year-round
Work Schedule: The Creative Operations Manager will work a full-time schedule, with the option to work remotely 2 days per week
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility for the candidate to balance their work and personal life, while still maintaining a strong connection to the on-site team and office culture.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the Brand Ops team
- Final interview with the Brand Ops leadership team
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Project management skills and experience
- Communication and presentation skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Familiarity with creative development best practices
- Adaptability and comfort with ambiguity
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your project management experience and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles
- Demonstrate your understanding of Planet's mission and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals
- Showcase your ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment and collaborate with remote team members
ATS Keywords: Creative Project Management, Workflow Management, Resource Planning, Cross-Functional Communication, Stakeholder Management, Process Improvement, Operational Excellence, Measurement and Reporting, Digital Marketing Campaigns, Project Management Tools, Creative Development Best Practices, Data Analysis, Team Management, Technology Adoption, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Interpersonal Skills
ASSUMPTION: Planet's hiring process is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills, cultural fit, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Monday.com or similar project management tool
- JIRA or similar issue tracking tool
- Excel or similar spreadsheet software
- AI tools (familiarity with AI tools or an interest in learning about them is a plus)
- Creative software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
- Video conferencing and collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Workspace)
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Operations Manager should be comfortable learning and utilizing new tools and technologies as needed to optimize creative workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Dream big
- Make it happen
- Be kind
- Act like an owner
- Embrace diversity
- Work together
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
- Data-driven and metrics-focused
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach managing shifting scopes and evolving creative needs while maintaining team alignment and delivery precision?
- How do you ensure creative teams have the right tools, context, and support to work efficiently, proactively identifying opportunities for process improvements and technology adoption?
- How do you balance strategic oversight with day-to-day execution to ensure high-quality, high-volume creative output?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Planet's values and work style, and who can demonstrate their ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, will be most successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, which can be challenging and stressful at times
- Planet's fast-paced and evolving environment may present unexpected changes and require quick adaptation
- The role may involve working with external vendors and partners, which can present unique challenges and require strong communication and negotiation skills
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining a strong connection to the on-site team and office culture
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Operations Manager must be comfortable managing ambiguity, juggling multiple priorities, and delivering under tight deadlines to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to similar roles in other industries, the Creative Operations Manager role at Planet offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of technology, data, and creative operations
- The role provides exposure to various aspects of the business, allowing the candidate to develop a well-rounded understanding of Planet's operations and contribute to strategic decision-making
- The role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, along with opportunities for professional growth and development
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Operations Manager role at Planet is an attractive opportunity for individuals seeking a challenging and rewarding career in creative project management and operations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the creative production process for Planet's annual report, ensuring high-quality design and copy are delivered on time and within budget
- Streamlining the intake process for marketing campaign requests, reducing turnaround time and improving overall campaign performance
- Collaborating with the Brand Ops team to develop and implement a new project management tool, improving resource allocation and capacity planning
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Operations Manager will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, each presenting unique challenges and requiring innovative solutions.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the Brand team collaborate with other departments, such as Product and Marketing, to ensure creative deliverables align with business goals?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the creative team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Planet support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in creative operations?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Planet measure the success of its creative operations, and what metrics are most important to track?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their ability to contribute to Planet's success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your interview by researching Planet's mission and values, and practicing your responses to common interview questions
- If selected for an on-site or virtual interview, be prepared to discuss specific examples of your project management experience and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles
- Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
