Commercial Operations Manager (Events Planning Experience)

Job Description

Job Description

Building a Brand Starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the 2025 Most Innovative Marketing Agencies of the Year by Chief Marketer, named Top Agency of the Year 2024 by Event Marketer, highlighted as a Global Agency of the Year, over 100 Employees by C&IT, and listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2024, 2023, & 2022 by Chief Marketer.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

Location : New York City (in office requirement - hybrid 2 days a week in FIRST NY office)

What You Would Get To Do :

We're seeking a detail-oriented and commercially minded Commercial Operations Manager to help drive the financial and operational success to assigned accounts or teams. In this role, you'll turn commercial strategy into clear processes and insights, equipping delivery teams with accurate reporting, guidance, and operational frameworks that support profitability and scope alignment. This role will collaborate closely with Finance, Data & Analytics, and Account Directors to ensure compliance, maintain service-based pricing structures, and identify risks or opportunities. This is an ideal role for someone with strong financial acumen, a data-driven mindset, and the ability to connect day-to-day delivery with big-picture business goals.

Your Contributions

Commercial Advisory

• Maintain accurate reporting for the dedicated account(s), including utilization, margin analysis, hours charged vs forecast, and resource allocations.
• Conduct variance analysis, monitor utilization trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Advise on resourcing, scope design, and pricing strategies to meet margin, utilization, and forecast targets; interpret operational data to flag risks such as scope creep, overutilization, and under-billing; and recommend guardrails to mitigate co-employment and other operational risks.
• Identify potential risks to commercial performance and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Assist in tracking commercial KPIs such as forecast vs. actual hours, delivery profitability, and adherence to rate cards providing analysis and recommendations.
• Support the further development and application of account-specific commercial models in alignment with internal standards and client needs.

Operational Integration & Collaboration

What We Are Looking For

Please be aware that we know experience does not always look like we describe it. If you believe you would be an excellent fit for this role, please apply - we would love to see how you could fit at FIRST.

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by the passion, creativity, and commitment of our teams. That's why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth :

United States Residents : The base pay for this position ranges from $100,000 - $135,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

#LI-KM3

FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. FIRST is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and / or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We stand firm : FIRST will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If any candidate feels that they are unable to meet the requirements of the role, please get in touch to discuss adjustments or other suitable roles.