Employment Type: Full-time
Location: New York
Work Site Type: Hybrid
Building a Brand starts with a Story
FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency providing Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. For 30 years, we have utilized three flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and a Full-Service Agency.
Managing over 37,000 events & projects annually across 110 countries, FIRST serves 130+ brands, specializing in Fortune 500 companies within the Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services sectors.
Consistently recognized for excellence, recent honors include 2026 Chief Marketer Agency of the Year, the Ad Net Zero Award for sustainability, and more.
Learn more at www.firstagency.com
What You Would Get To Do
The Operations Associate supports the operations and delivery teams by providing consistent, reliable operational assistance across teams and internal initiatives. The role focuses on enabling smooth day-to-day operations, maintaining systems and data accuracy, supporting financial processes, and assisting account and operations leadership with executional tasks. Working closely with Operations Managers, Account Leadership, Finance, and Shared Services, this role helps ensure Embedded Solutions and the wider Operations Enablement team are supported through standardized processes, timely communication, and accurate administrative and financial support. The Operations Associate operates with a service mindset, flexibility, and attention to detail, contributing to operational efficiency and team effectiveness across the business.
Your Contributions
- Provide day-to-day operational support across Embedded Solutions accounts and the wider Operations Enablement team, flexing support as business needs require.
- Assist Operations leadership with coordination, follow-up, and execution of routine operational tasks.
- Act as a point of support between Shared Services, Embedded teams, and Operations leadership for day-to-day operational needs.
- Support or manage the dissemination of operational updates, process changes, and key communications.
- Participate in team meetings, operations forums, and working sessions as required, including preparing agendas, documenting key discussion points, and tracking follow-up actions to support timely execution.
- Support the rollout, adoption, and ongoing use of global tools, systems, and initiatives.
- Maintain operational documentation, trackers, shared folders, and templates to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Assist with maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best-practice documentation.
- Support data integrity across operational systems through routine updates, audits, and clean-up activities.
- Provide financial administration support, including monthly expense reconciliation, invoice preparation support, and submission coordination, as required.
- Flag and escalate financial discrepancies, risks, or issues to Operations leadership or Account Directors as appropriate.
- Manage global role setup across the business by gathering required role, resourcing, and approval information and accurately entering roles into the system on behalf of hiring managers.
- Lead first round interviews, for scalable resources on particular accounts, as required.
- Support onboarding and offboarding activities for Embedded team members, including system access, documentation, and coordination with People & Culture.
- Assist with scheduling orientations, trainings, and operational briefings for new hires, as required.
- Maintenance of vendor and operational tools (e.g., Vendor Hub, SharePoint), ensuring information is current and complete.
- Provide ad hoc operational, administrative, and coordination support across the Operations team as business priorities shift.
- Assist with RFP inputs, contract renewals, and account documentation preparation, under direction.
- Assist with KPI tracking and reporting, as required.
- Support internal operational projects and initiatives through research, documentation, coordination, and execution support.
- Compile, validate, and consolidate client account event updates from team leads for the FIRST Communications monthly newsletter, and produce accurate event volume and reporting data to support town halls, reporting meetings, and internal communications.
- Support leadership in driving FIRST initiatives to Embedded teams, including best-practice alignment and coordination of Embedded Managers meetings and Operations connects.
- Act as an ambassador for the FIRST brand, leading by example and displaying the company’s core values (Ambition, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity, Teamwork)
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.
- Position requires 2-4 years of experience
- Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, particularly Excel; able to work confidently across multiple operational systems.
- Comfortable supporting financial and operational processes, including expenses, invoicing, and basic budget tracking.
- Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills across teams, leadership levels, and clients.
- Collaborative, service-oriented team player with a professional and diplomatic approach.
- Able to follow established processes while identifying practical improvements.
- Self-directed, resourceful, and able to work independently with appropriate escalation.
- Agile and adaptable, able to reprioritize work as business needs change.
- Demonstrates discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
- Comfortable supporting work across time zones, including early or late hours when required.
- Experience supporting events or working within a global organization is preferred.
- Adheres to company policies, compliance requirements, and health and safety standards; proactively raises risks or issues impacting delivery.
- Builds trusted relationships through reliability, clear communication, and follow-through.
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
- Medical, Dental & Vision which includes the option of a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA)
- 401 (k)
- Five Flexible Spending Accounts Options
- Generous Paid Time Off Allowance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Life, Disability & Pet Coverages
- Wellness Stipend
- Complimentary access to Headspace, Teladoc, Maven, Rocket Lawyer, Mobilo & more
- Aura Identity Theft Protection
- Discretionary Bonus Structure
- Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide, including headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.
United States Residents: The base pay for this position ranges from $86,000 - $98,000. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.
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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.