Project & Operations Specialist

About The Position | Major goals and objectives and location requirements 

We’re looking for a highly organized and detailed-oriented Project & Operations Specialist to oversee and execute key operational workflows that support our product lifecycle and processes. This role is pivotal in bridging communication between internal teams and partners, maintaining product tracking systems, coordinating schedules, and ensuring accurate and timely updates to ongoing initiatives.  This role will enable product managers and cross-functional teams to move faster and make better decisions.  

Hybrid 3x a week- Des Moines 

In-office Expectations: This position is hybrid in-office, with the ability to work remotely for up to 2 days per week.

About The Positions Contributions:

Weight % | Accountabilities, Actions and Expected Measurable Results

30% | Schedule & Workflow Management

• Keep product schedules (e.g., Apple release schedule) current in Workfront, News Publisher, and other tools.

• Coordinate updates with appropriate teams, update workflows promptly when new information becomes available.  

30% | Launch Operations

• Coordinate internal readiness for product launches, issue releases, and updates.

• Create effective, SEO-friendly headlines for articles scheduled to release.

• Ensure critical tasks are completed on time. 

• Oversee issue management operations, including issue creation, writing descriptions, applying metadata, inserting advertisements, generating the table of contents, and assembling the final issue for publication.

15% | Project Documentation & Support

• Create and maintain JIRA tickets with detailed project information

• Administer and optimize tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Workfront, and other product management platforms.  

• Develop and maintain clear process documentation, collaborating with teams to improve workflow efficiency.

15% | Communication & Coordination

• Maintain ongoing communication with brand stakeholders/teams

• Act as an operational liaison between Product, Engineering, Marketing, and other stakeholders to ensure clear, timely exchanges of information.

5% | Process and Workflow Optimization

• Create and maintain comprehensive process documentation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve operational workflows and drive process efficiencies.

• Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions that streamline product development and launch cycles.

5% | Product Tracking & Metrics

• Support the management and analysis of product data, including KPIs and testing results

• Generate reports analyzing product performance and testing outcomes to support informed decision-making.

The Role’s Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent education and experience

Experience:

• 3+ years of project management, product management, or similar experience
   

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities:

• Experience in project operations, program/project management, systems coordination, or similar operational role.

• Experience working in cross-functional environments with Product, Engineering, and Marketing teams

• Experience improving or scaling product-related workflows or processes.

• Strong proficiency with tools such as JIRA, Confluence, and Workfront.  Comfortable working with data tools (Excel, reporting platforms).

• Excellent organizational and communication skills

• Highly detail-oriented and structured in approach to workflows and updates.

• Able to work independently and prioritize effectively across multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

• Background in product lifecycle operations, tech, media, subscription services,and/or digital content.

• Familiarity with metrics tracking, agile workflows & tooling, and software development cycles.