Operations Manager, IQ

This is a Full Time Job

UTA IQ seeks a Manager, IQ Operations to serve as the strategic backbone of our research department. This role is designed for a logistical mastermind who thrives on the 'puzzle' of operational efficiency. As UTA’s data, insights, and strategy division, IQ develops insights that drive cultural relevance, audience engagement, and business growth for world-class talent and brands. You will ensure the IQ team has the right tools, data, and workflows they need. Acting as a key partner to the Department Head, you will balance big-picture vision with rigorous attention to detail, managing a multi-million dollar budget while ensuring our research efforts align with UTA’s highest-value opportunities.

In this role, you will be the primary architect of IQ’s internal systems, from vetting cutting-edge data tools to refining our project management frameworks. Beyond internal operations, you will be a champion for data literacy across the agency, overseeing the ADAPT program and other data-focused educational initiatives. Whether you are presenting a strategic roadmap to Partner-level employees or training early-career staff on new tools, your goal is to help UTA make stronger, faster, and more profitable decisions through smarter research operations.

What You Will Do
• Spearhead the department’s relationships with data tool vendors and collaborate with the Department Head to manage a multi-million dollar research budget
• Negotiate annual contractual agreements with IQ’s data vendor partners
• Review and approve incoming invoices from IQ’s data vendor partners
• Collaborate with UTA’s Finance department on IQ’s annual budget proposal and financial forecasts through the year
• Organize demos, pilots, trials, and presentations with potential new data tools
• Actively identify and implement AI-driven efficiencies to help the team automate manual research tasks and streamline team workflows
• Align team resources with company priorities to ensure the research team is focused on high-impact, high-value work
• Solidify and manage IQ’s project management system (in Airtable) to track, prioritize, and assess custom research requests from across the agency
• Work closely with department leadership to implement initiatives around data training, business intelligence, and the measurement of departmental KPIs
• Encourage company-wide data fluency by leading the ADAPT program (UTA’s internal data literacy initiative) and other educational efforts to empower UTA colleagues

What You Will Need
• Bachelor’s degree in business, analytics, or a related field
• 6 years of experience in consulting, operations, strategy, or research operations, with a proven ability to make informed, data-driven decisions
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build strong, trusted partnerships across functions and levels
• Experience applying project management skills and agile methodologies to structure work, manage timelines, and deliver results
• Required familiarity with Airtable (or similar project management systems) and MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Experience with BI and analytics tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Looker, Retool, or similar platforms
• Proficiency in Python and SQL is a plus
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong commitment to identifying and removing obstacles to improve processes and outcomes
• Familiarity with JavaScript or TypeScript is a strong plus
• Eagerness to learn, strong ownership mindset, and excellent work ethic