Read all the reviews - not just the good ones! - Operations Manager Smithbucklin Employee Review

1.0
Mar 1, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I had an awesome staff team - they made it worth to come to work each day! - Learned so much about everything - IT/web, meeting planning, business, finance, project management - you name it I have done it and more. - Made friends for life - Meet great, smart, funny people - Amazing office location - 401K and ESOP are incredible

Cons

I worked SB for over 10 years. It used to be a great, fun and rewarding company. The last year I was there was almost unbearable. I hate the fact that if there is one bad review, HR posts - Best Place Ever! - reviews. It is disingenuous and embarrassing. - Terrible pay - bonuses were a joke even for “high performers”. - Not enough staff for the jobs that need to be done - ie - when I was on "vacation" I still took calls and answered email. I had to because if I didn't there would be 1 million emails and calls when I returned. My staff was totally overworked, so I couldn't ask them to help. - The ESOP profits (which is a pro) — but there was no skin off the company's nose when I billed out at 60-70 hrs EACH week and was not compensated beyond my salary (a con). - The new CEO is totally out of touch. He wants to be hip and cool, but doesn't understand the business and is socially awkward. - Every company meeting we heard how great everything is and then get 2% raise - If you aren't in the boys club, you get nowhere - No work / life balance. - No career opportunities unless you take on more work and no more pay. Oh and nothing else gets taken off your plate.

Explore other reviews about Smithbucklin

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work environment Hybrid work schedule - office and WFH

Cons

Low ceiling for climbing the job ladder.

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Smithbucklin Response
3d
We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We're glad you enjoy our work environment and hybrid flexibility. We appreciate you sharing your perspective on career growth.
3.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Gaining experience in marketing, communications, editorial operations, project management, time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication, which can help you become more competent in those areas, learn what you're good at, like and dislike, progress your career with the company, or use the experience to pursue another role that fits your goals. 2. Working a hybrid schedule with the ability to handle your work on a computer is a great lifestyle and flexibility advantage. Working adjacent to Downtown Chicago is an incredible experience that can bring even more lifestyle, professional, and personal opportunities. 3. Networking and getting to know a diverse group of people in the company and your department is great for relationship building, both professionally and socially. 4. Smithbucklin provides a robust onboarding and professional development program, providing support for advancing your career, feeling more comfortable at the company, and pushing you to grow.

Cons

1. Workloads can be overwhelming if not properly managed. Managing tasks for several clients at once demands a higher level of time management, organization, consistency, and interpersonal communication tolerance (for a great number of meetings, emails, and messages) that seem to be quite challenging for many associates. But if you ground yourself and continue to become efficient at your workflows, you can handle it. 2. Performing work across different clients makes it hard to focus and specialize. You may be more of a generalist starting, but by discovering the industries, clients, and type of work you like, you may be able to carve out a path you want. 3. The work itself, which can consist of executing digital marketing, comms, or editorial operations tasks, can seem underwhelming, and the learning curve may take time, but the tasks themselves are not necessarily difficult.

1
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Smithbucklin Response
1mo
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you valued the professional development opportunities, hybrid work environment and collaborative culture. We appreciate your time with us and wish you success in your future endeavors.
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