Operations Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Manager is responsible for the design, maintenance, and integration of Blank Forms’ core operational systems. The position emphasizes detail-oriented operational execution, with a strong focus on budgets, timelines, inventory records, and royalty tracking across programs, publications, and distribution channels. This role ensures that the organization’s programs, publishing activities, and administrative functions are supported by clear workflows, accurate financial and data systems, and consistent internal standards.

Joining Blank Forms as the organization enters its 10th year, the Operations Manager will focus on strengthening and integrating existing operations across a complex program portfolio that includes public programs, exhibitions, publishing, distribution, and artist archives. This is a systems-oriented role, ideal for an experienced arts administrator with strengths in clarity, documentation, and cross-functional coordination.

The Operations Manager reports to the Deputy Director of Advancement and works closely with the Executive & Artistic Director, the Curatorial & Production Assistant, and external finance consultants (Arts FMS).

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Systems & Integration (Primary Focus)

• Design, document, and maintain operational workflows that support Blank Forms’ programs, publishing, and administrative functions
• Serve as the central point of integration between program activity, contracts, inventory and royalties, financial operations, and organizational reporting
• Translate cross-departmental needs into clear systems, workflows, and timelines
• Oversee tracking and interpretation of programmatic, operational, and financial activity, and produce materials that support data-informed planning and leadership decisions
• Identify operational risks, inefficiencies, and recurring exceptions, and recommend practical solutions to leadership

Financial Operations & Coordination

• Work in close partnership with Arts FMS to ensure accurate, timely, and usable financial data
• Translate program activity into financial inputs, including budgets, forecasts, and reporting
• Support cash flow, quarterly re-forecasting and internal financial review processes
• Oversee operational record-keeping in preparation for audits and board reporting
• Track financial and operational benchmarks in collaboration with senior leadership

Inventory, Distribution & Royalties Oversight

• Oversee systems for tracking inventory across books, records, and editions
• Coordinate operationally with multiple distributors and fulfillment partners
• Maintain internal systems for sales reporting and royalty tracking
• Ensure inventory movement between storage, distributors, and program sites is accurately documented

Organizational Operations & Administration

• Support HR administration in collaboration with senior leadership and Arts FMS, including onboarding, benefits coordination, payroll support, and policy documentation
• Maintain reliable IT and file management systems, including shared drives and internal documentation
• Coordinate vendors, service providers, and operational contractors as needed, including purchasing and managing office supplies

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3 years of experience in nonprofit or arts administration, operations, or financial coordination
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining operational systems and workflows
• Comfort working across finance, programs, and administration in a small organization
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
• Ability to recommend solutions, standardize processes, and escalate issues as needed
• Collaborative working style with a high degree of reliability and discretion

Preferred but not required:

• Experience with publishing, distribution, or inventory management
• Familiarity with Shopify, ShipStation, Finale, or similar system
• Experience working alongside external finance consultants

ABOUT BLANK FORMS

Founded in 2016, Blank Forms is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit supporting emerging and historically significant artists who produce work across disciplines, often rooted in traditions of experimental and creative music. We aim to establish new frameworks to preserve, nurture, and present these artists’ work and to build platforms for practices underrepresented in art’s commercial, institutional, and historical fields. Blank Forms collaborates with artists on commissions, exhibitions, publications, as well as archival and estate projects within contemporary cultural ecosystems and in perpetuity. In presenting and documenting this work, Blank Forms seeks to foster an artistic community founded upon engaged and equitable conversations across continents, media and generations.

Blank Forms is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion, creed, color, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, marital and partnership status, familial status, arrest or conviction record, union membership, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sex offense, unemployment status, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, military or protected veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, an employee's or an employee's dependent's sexual and reproductive health decisions, as well as all other classifications protected by applicable laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, promotions, benefits, leaves of absence.

This is a full-time, onsite position requiring occasional evening and weekend work. Salary range: $63,000–$67,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution, and paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays).