Operations Associate

Web Design Awards runs an editorially-curated awards program that judges submitted websites against a published rubric, spotlighting the best work on the web for buyers and hiring teams who browse the index to find studios and designers. We're looking for an Operations Associate to help keep the day-to-day machinery of the awards program running smoothly - supporting the submission pipeline, the judging process, and the partner/agency relationships that make the index work.

What you'll do

• Manage the intake and tracking of site submissions, including free, premium, and rushed entries, ensuring each moves through the process on schedule
• Coordinate with jurors and internal reviewers to keep scoring and decision timelines on track
• Maintain accuracy of the public index, winner listings, and agency directory, flagging and correcting errors or outdated entries
• Support the publishing of award pages, badges, and certificates once results are finalized
• Assist with day-to-day operational tasks across the team, including scheduling, documentation, and process improvements
• Respond to inbound questions from submitters, studios, and partners regarding status, eligibility, or process

What we're looking for

• 1-3 years of experience in an operations, coordination, or program support role
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple submissions or projects at once against deadlines
• Comfortable working with spreadsheets, databases, or lightweight internal tools to track status and data accuracy
• Excellent written communication skills for responding to partners and internal stakeholders
• High attention to detail, particularly when handling data that becomes public-facing (award pages, rankings, listings)
• Ability to work independently and prioritize in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment

Nice to have

• Familiarity with the web design, digital agency, or creative awards space
• Experience supporting a judged, ranked, or competitive program (awards, grants, contests, or similar)
• Basic understanding of how content publishes to a website or CMS