The role of a Design Operations Manager is critical in ensuring smooth and efficient operations within design teams. As organizations grow and design needs become more complex, the need for someone who can manage workflows, processes, and team dynamics becomes increasingly important. A Design Operations Manager streamlines processes removes barriers, and ensures that design projects run smoothly, meeting deadlines and aligning with business objectives.

What is a Design Operations Manager?

A Design Operations Manager is responsible for managing the operational side of the design process. This includes improving workflows, managing resources, overseeing budgets, and ensuring that design teams have everything they need to be productive. They act as a liaison between design teams and other departments, making sure that design projects run on time, within budget, and align with the company’s goals. In larger organizations, this role may also involve managing design tools, software, and processes that support design efforts.

Design Operations Manager Responsibilities Include

  • Develop, implement, and manage efficient design workflows and processes that improve team productivity and quality.
  • Oversee design project budgets and resource allocation, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
  • Work closely with other teams such as product, engineering, and marketing to ensure design efforts align with company goals and timelines.
  • Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of design tools and software to support team efficiency.
  • Monitor project progress, ensuring that deadlines are met, and resources are properly allocated.
  • Analyze team performance and project success, using data to continually improve processes.
  • Assist design leaders with strategic planning, scheduling, and staffing decisions to ensure the design team functions smoothly.
  • Ensure strong communication across departments and create a culture of collaboration within the design team.

Job Title: Design Operations Manager

Job Introduction

We are seeking a highly organized and strategic Design Operations Manager to oversee and optimize the operations of our growing design team. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing design processes, tools, and resources, and will play a pivotal role in supporting design leadership and fostering collaboration across departments. This is a great opportunity to help shape the operational framework that allows our design teams to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

Responsibilities:

  • Optimize design team workflows, tools, and processes to enhance productivity and collaboration.
  • Manage the resource allocation and budgeting for design projects, ensuring the team has the tools and resources they need to succeed.
  • Collaborate with other departments (product, engineering, marketing) to align design initiatives with business goals.
  • Track and report on design project performance and team metrics, using data to identify areas for improvement.
  • Implement best practices in design operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency across all design initiatives.
  • Assist in scaling the design team, providing support in recruitment, training, and career development of team members.
  • Maintain an organized and efficient system for managing design assets, project files, and documentation.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Design, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in design operations, project management, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a leadership or managerial position.
  • Proven experience in managing design processes, workflows, and resources.
  • Strong project management skills, with a focus on meeting deadlines and managing multiple priorities.
  • Experience with design tools and software (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Slack, JIRA).
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to implement and improve processes.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
  • Analytical mindset, with experience tracking and reporting on project metrics and team performance.
  • Knowledge of budgeting and resource management in design teams.

Conclusion

The Design Operations Manager job description template is designed to help you quickly and efficiently hire the right candidate to manage and optimize your design team’s operations. By using this template, hiring managers can ensure they cover all the essential responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications necessary for the role. At Cleveri, our AI-driven Candidate Screening and Video Interviewing platform helps streamline your hiring process. From automating resume analysis to offering insightful candidate screening, Cleveri ensures you can find and interview the best-fit Design Operations Manager candidates quickly and effectively. Whether you’re hiring for a Design Operations Manager or any other role, Cleveri makes your hiring process smarter, faster, and more efficient.