Senior Manager, Design Operations

Capital One•McLean, VA

About The Position

Senior Manager, Design Operations We are currently seeking a Senior Manager to join our Design Operations team. You will think strategically about how teams work together and how systems and structures scale with a deep understanding of best practices in program management. In this role you will rely on your judgment to lead a team of Design Operation Managers, while influencing cross-functional stakeholders, creating clarity, and maintaining a results-focused mindset to solve complex and ambiguous problems. This role partners directly with a VP of Design, serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner. While this role is an individual contributor, success relies heavily on building authentic relationships with peers, partners and leaders. The Design team at Capital One is at the forefront of enriching our customers’ digital and physical experiences. We champion a thriving environment of collaboration, authenticity, and healthy critique, in which we honor diversity of thought, create a culture of belonging, and elevate one another. If you’re an innovator and storyteller who embraces an environment where you can experiment, learn, and change banking for good, we would love to hear from you. What You’ll Do: Business & People Operations: In close collaboration with design leadership manage the design team’s people operations and business operations. Activities in this space may range from budget, KPI/OKR, headcount, and partner management to developing team rituals, culture, and fostering overall positive team health. Identify and drive improvements to these practices that increase the efficiency and optimization of design Build processes and systems that establish operational rigor to ensure sustainable results and delivery over time. Scale processes, programs, and initiatives (business, people, or design related programs) when necessary Mentor and grow Design Operation Managers, while influencing cross-functional team members Design Standards & Practice Management: Employ design thinking and design expertise to advance the quality of outcomes and delivery. Bridge commonalities, insights, and potential points of friction between teams, contributing to design excellence Use persuasive communication to the right audience in order to advocate for and evangelize the impact of design Identify team and project needs with regards to design process, tools, documentation, asset management. Take steps to implement necessary changes to make sure design teams are operating at optimum efficiency Maintain a commitment to defining and measuring design quality, quantitatively and qualitatively. Align teams on metrics for design quality and track metrics over time Design Portfolio & Program Management: Maintain a “planning ahead” posture that considers short term needs and resources, while looking ahead and planning for the next big challenge design teams will face Partner with design leadership on large, complex problems. Offer strategic perspective in key decision making moments - including choosing the highest impact opportunities for the design team. Assess tradeoffs and propose clear solutions and resolve roadblocks that may impede progress Develop resourcing, capacity planning, and program management routines to ensure teams are delivering against established goals and objectives Provide clear communication to cross-functional leadership on status, resources, issues, and priorities.

Requirements

At least 6 years of experience working in design management, project or program management of design deliverables, or operations management
At least 6 years of experience leading delivery for cross functional projects
At least 4 years of experience working directly with design teams
At least 2 years of experience managing a team

Nice To Haves

4+ years working within the product development process between tech, product, and design
Experience building operation systems and programs at scale

Responsibilities

In close collaboration with design leadership manage the design team’s people operations and business operations.
Identify and drive improvements to these practices that increase the efficiency and optimization of design
Build processes and systems that establish operational rigor to ensure sustainable results and delivery over time.
Scale processes, programs, and initiatives (business, people, or design related programs) when necessary
Mentor and grow Design Operation Managers, while influencing cross-functional team members
Employ design thinking and design expertise to advance the quality of outcomes and delivery.
Bridge commonalities, insights, and potential points of friction between teams, contributing to design excellence
Use persuasive communication to the right audience in order to advocate for and evangelize the impact of design
Identify team and project needs with regards to design process, tools, documentation, asset management.
Take steps to implement necessary changes to make sure design teams are operating at optimum efficiency
Maintain a commitment to defining and measuring design quality, quantitatively and qualitatively.
Align teams on metrics for design quality and track metrics over time
Maintain a “planning ahead” posture that considers short term needs and resources, while looking ahead and planning for the next big challenge design teams will face
Partner with design leadership on large, complex problems.
Offer strategic perspective in key decision making moments - including choosing the highest impact opportunities for the design team.
Assess tradeoffs and propose clear solutions and resolve roadblocks that may impede progress
Develop resourcing, capacity planning, and program management routines to ensure teams are delivering against established goals and objectives
Provide clear communication to cross-functional leadership on status, resources, issues, and priorities.