Business Manager

Working at Digital Counsel

At Digital Counsel, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the intersection between culture and digital marketing. As a New York-based creative agency, we bring together expertise from the worlds of contemporary art and technology to create cutting-edge and impactful campaigns for our esteemed clients. Our tagline, "Advertising By Artists," reflects our team’s mission to infuse creativity and cultural relevance into every project we undertake.

Our work culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and a deep appreciation for art and culture globally and online. We foster an environment where open communication and creative risk-taking are encouraged, and where each team member's unique perspective and personal interests are valued. At Digital Counsel, you'll find a balance of creative freedom and structure, allowing you to produce your best work while continually growing professionally. Our talented team comprises professional artists, net-native strategists, influencers, veteran art world pros, and cutting-edge engineers. 

We believe maintaining a healthy work-life balance is critical to creative work. We offer flexible schedules and a hybrid work model, as well as a cultural benefits stipend for museum memberships and special events. Just across the street from Abrons Art Center and a 10-minute walk to Dimes Square, our studio is located on the top floor of a historic pre-war office building, which we share with the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) and Cultural Counsel, our partner agency. This energetic space serves as a hub for our community of creative professionals, featuring rotating art exhibitions, talks, pop-ups, and invites to VIP openings to keep us connected and inspired. Join us in shaping the future of digital marketing in the art world and beyond. 

Recent and current clients include Hyundai Artlab, Rockefeller Center, Harmony Korine’s EDGLRD, The Armory Show, Aspen Ideas: Climate, a partnership between the City of Miami Beach and the Aspen Institute, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA).

The Role 

Digital Counsel is seeking an experienced Business Manager to work at the nexus of operations, finance, and project management. The Business Manager will work closely with the CEO to execute the firm’s strategic plan, including the management of our new business pipeline, RFP fulfillment, recruitment, and accounting with our external finance team.

In this role, you will:

• Report directly to the founder, gaining extensive exposure to all facets of the business

• Lead & improve operations, including recruitment, onboarding, and process optimization

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management

• Manage new business development from initial inquiries to contract finalization

• Oversee resource management and project scheduling across the agency

• Develop and implement policies to enhance operational efficiency

• Liaise between teams, ensuring smooth communication and project execution

What You’ll Bring 

• 5 years of experience in establishing and driving business operational processes across a business unit (e.g., Annual Financial Planning, Quarterly Budget Reviews, Resource/Capacity Planning, Financial Roadmapping)

• Strong business and financial acumen with a deep understanding of how a well-oiled "business machine" operates, particularly in creative industries

• Experience directly managing small teams or holding leadership roles in larger teams, with a focus on financial and operational excellence

• Proven track record as a strategic partner to senior leaders, demonstrating:

  • Ability to navigate ambiguous situations

  • Skill in balancing detailed financial analysis with big-picture strategic thinking

  • Strong organizational and project management capabilities

  • Effective operation across multiple teams and departments

  • Foresight to anticipate bottlenecks, make strategic trade-offs, and escalate issues appropriately

  • Influence without authority to promote alignment on financial and operational matters

• 3 years of experience using financial data and metrics to drive business process improvements and inform decision-making

• 3 years of experience in managing complex projects or programs, ideally in a creative or agency setting

• Strong judgment and decisiveness when dealing with time-sensitive, deadline-driven financial and operational issues

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Insatiable curiosity to learn new domains, keep up with industry innovations in both finance and creative fields, and constantly question the status quo

The ideal candidate should be a versatile professional who can seamlessly blend financial acumen, technological proficiency, and creative industry understanding. They should be comfortable wearing multiple hats and thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Actual salaries may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience and performance. The annual salary range is $50,000-$200,000.