Operations Manager – PR & Communications Agency

About the role

We are looking for an organised, solutions‑driven Operations Manager to support a dynamic PR and communications agency in Johannesburg. The role combines agency operations with traffic and workflow management, ensuring teams have the structure, resources and support they need to deliver high‑quality work.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day agency operations, ensuring efficient systems, processes and internal workflows across all teams.
• Develop, implement and refine operational procedures, reporting structures and project‑management systems to boost productivity and reduce administrative load.
• Manage resource allocation, team capacity and competing priorities, identifying bottlenecks before they affect delivery.
• Provide operational oversight on client accounts and projects, monitoring deadlines, budgets, deliverables and performance.
• Support leadership with operational planning, staffing, recruitment, onboarding and performance administration.
• Prepare and monitor project budgets, client quotations, cost estimates and profitability considerations.
• Oversee supplier and freelance resources, sourcing quotations, managing costs and ensuring service standards.
• Maintain accurate operational records, trackers and management reports for visibility of workloads, expenditure, risks and performance.

Required profile

• Relevant experience in agency operations, traffic management, resource coordination or a comparable operational role, preferably within a PR, advertising, digital or creative agency.
• Proven ability to develop and implement systems, processes and workflows that improve efficiency and accountability.
• Strong team coordination and resource‑planning skills with confidence to manage competing priorities and hold people accountable.
• Solid financial and commercial awareness, including budgeting, costing, quotations, supplier expenditure and project profitability.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and problem‑solving abilities with a proactive approach.

Required skills

• Advanced use of spreadsheets
• Budget tracking tools
• Reporting tools
• Project‑management platforms