Office and Operations Manager

We’re looking for an Office + Operations Manager.

Counterpublic is seeking an organized, collaborative, and motivated Office and Operations Manager to act as vital support for our leadership team and physical workspace. This hybrid role is designed for a versatile professional balancing high-level executive support with hands-on office management and facilities oversight. As a key administrator, you will manage complex calendars, support critical donor and development initiatives, and act as a connector across the organization supporting daily operations. Beyond administrative support, you will take full ownership of the office environment by managing vendor relationships, supporting financial tracking, and ensuring Counterpublic is always prepared to welcome visitors.

Reports to: Deputy Director

Hours: Standard working hours are M-F, 9am-5pm and will require flexibility with periodic weekends and evenings due to collaborator meetings, events and artist site visits.

Location: FT in office at the Counterpublic offices located at 3733 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108. Frequent on location meetings throughout the St. Louis region.

Status: Exempt, full-time position

Compensation: $55,000 salary

Benefits: Health insurance stipend of the IRS maximum of $537.50/mo, 401k plan with 3% employer match, three weeks of PTO per year, and a technology stipend.

About Counterpublic

Counterpublic is a triennial exhibition reimagining the role of art in public life. Located in St. Louis, Counterpublic connects art with lasting impact by bringing together bold ideas with the region’s most pressing challenges. As one of the largest public art exhibitions in the nation, Counterpublic celebrates and spotlights the St. Louis region as an epicenter of art and culture through ongoing partnerships and artistic programming. The focal point is a three-month, citywide exhibition with dozens of the world’s leading artists.

Our next exhibition opens in September 2026 and will engage artists, institutions, and communities across the region.

Learn more at www.counterpublic.org

Your Responsibilities

The Office Manager works closely with the leadership team to support executive-level administration and the overall functions and hospitality for the workplace.

A service-oriented specialist, you will support the office needs of the staff, logistical travel support for visitors, and ensure a warm and welcoming environment for all guests of Counterpublic. General administrative support includes organizing meetings, preparing documents and correspondence, managing files and data, coordinating with vendors and payments, overseeing contact management systems in support of donor development, and special executive projects.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate and maintain complex schedules for executive leadership, including internal and external appointments.
• Organize staff meetings by setting agendas, managing reminders, preparing any necessary materials, and distributing meetings minutes.
• Schedule, prepare materials, and organize hospitality for donors and stakeholder meetings and events.
• Maintain the organization's contact management system to support stakeholder and donor development.
• Execute donor mailings, including preparation and distribution of donor letters and production of any development materials in collaboration with Communications.
• Assist in managing the office budget, accounts payable, and tracking expenses.
• Coordinate select vendor payments and contracts.
• Identify and suggest efficient workflows to improve daily office and executive operations, including maintaining standard operating procedures.
• Welcome visitors to Counterpublic, including artists and collaborators to St. Louis, through itinerary planning, travel coordination, orientation, and hospitality.
• Act as the lead contact for all facilities vendors, including IT, cleaning and landscaping services, and maintenance contractors, troubleshooting minor malfunctions with office equipment and coordinating repairs as needed.
• Ensure the office is professionally prepared for visitors at all times including stocking food and beverage items, organizing communications materials, and tidying, as needed.
• Support with HR functions including receiving and processing applications for open job positions, communicating with candidates, and scheduling meetings.
• Schedule and coordinate rentals of Counterpublic spaces.
• Work closely with the team to provide logistical support for organization-wide events and community activities, assisting with details such as catering, venue preparation and on-site visitor support.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years experience with office or operations management and/ or executive assistance
• Excellent written and verbal communication with meticulous attention to detail
• A proactive mindset and ability to handle sensitive executive, financial and stakeholder information with integrity and discretion
• Mastery of complex scheduling and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines
• A natural inclination to make people feel welcome and ensuring the physical environment reflects the organizations’ values
• Knowledge of Google Applications, Adobe Creative Suite, and Asana preferred
• Experience maintaining databases (CRM) or donor management software
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment while being self-motivated
• Comfortable with hybrid work and travel around St. Louis
• Ability to work evenings and weekends in the production of events
• Ability to perform light physical tasks associated with office organization

Additional Information

This position will evolve as the exhibition unfolds and will require flexibility and collaboration. All Counterpublic employees are expected to remain informed about contemporary art and participate in community-facing events.

Counterpublic is committed to transparency and to principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion and is putting these principles into practice at all levels of the organization.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Counterpublic is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage individuals from historically marginalized communities—including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others—to apply.

Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter to Jess Bellomo, Managing Director, at j.bellomo@counterpublic.org. Please submit these items via email rather than through Indeed.com. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis through the end of June or until a candidate is selected.

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person