Operations Manager, Brand Activation

Agar is experiential. We leverage human experiences, event production, digital technology, music, art and content to grow culture for brands and communities.

Agar is the red substance in a petri dish that’s used to grow culture.

Founded on the premise that as the world grows more and more digital the value of a human experience inherently increases, agar has been growing culture through immersive, sensory experiential platforms since 2008.

AGAR is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee the planning, logistics, technical production, and execution of experiential marketing activations, trade show exhibits, pop-ups, and custom fabrication projects. This role bridges project management with hands‑on production, requiring someone who understands how experiential environments are fabricated, transported, installed, and dismantled.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in experiential marketing, exhibit production, scenic fabrication, live events, or a related field. They are equally comfortable managing schedules, budgets, labor, and logistics as they are working alongside installation crews, operating power tools when needed, and solving technical challenges on‑site.

• Manage experiential projects from concept through execution, partnering with Creative, Design, and Production teams to develop operational plans, production schedules, warehouse logistics, and installation strategies.
• Provide on‑site installation support for trade shows, brand activations, pop‑ups, and fabricated environments, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to AGAR's quality standards.
• Apply technical production knowledge to fabrication, scenic construction, exhibit systems, A/V equipment, materials, hardware, and installation methods, identifying solutions that support safe and efficient execution.
• Operate power tools and assist with assembly and field modifications when needed, while ensuring proper tools, equipment, and safety practices are utilized.
• Support Warehouse team with fulfilling equipment lists for jobs, including inventory, project staging, packing, shipping, receiving, equipment maintenance, company vehicles, facilities, and asset tracking.
• Build and maintain relationships with fabricators, vendors, rental partners, and logistics providers while sourcing new materials and negotiating competitive pricing.
• Monitor project budgets, purchasing, vendor costs, and operational expenses.
• Participate in project meetings, assisting with production estimates, technical planning, budgeting, and operational input
• Represent AGAR’s vision, mission, guiding principles, and core values and embody AGAR’s quick and nimble way of executing work and knowing when there is a sense of urgency to meet client and project needs.

• 3–5 years of experience in experiential marketing, trade shows, exhibits, scenic fabrication, live events, or production operations.
• Strong understanding of fabrication, construction methods, exhibit systems, and installation processes.
• Comfortable using power tools and working in warehouse and installation environments.
• Ability to read production drawings, fabrication plans, and installation documents.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects, budgets, schedules, vendors, and logistics simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to travel and work evenings or weekends as required by project schedules.
• OSHA certification, forklift certification, or experience operating aerial lifts and other job‑site equipment is a plus.

• Embrace Being Uncomfortable - The greatest learning moments occur when outside of your comfort zone.
• Execute with Excellence - provide agile service without compromising quality of work.
• Constantly Curious - Immerse into experiences and think outside the norm.
• All Hands on Deck, Always - No matter the nature of the job, we get it done together.
• Truth in Words and Actions - Take ownership and accountability.