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Design Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gsknch

Design Operations Manager

Warren, NJ · Hybrid

The Design Operations Manage - Brand Experience and Activation is responsible forleading the execution and amplification of brand campaigns across all consumer touch points, ensuring creative ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

Mclean, VA · On-site

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

Richmond, VA · On-site

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

Richmond, VA

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

Mclean, VA · On-site

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

New York, NY · On-site

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

Capital One

Manager, Design Operations

Manhattan, NY

Manager, Design Operations As a Design Operations Manager, you will play a central role in enabling our design, product, and operations teams to move faster. You will think strategically about how ...

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Design Operations Manager information

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$63.5K

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How much do design operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for design operations manager in the United States is $63,456.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design operations manager?

To thrive as a Design Operations Manager, you need expertise in project management, design process optimization, and a solid understanding of design principles, often supported by a degree in design, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Asana, Jira, Figma, and resource management systems, as well as certifications like PMP or Agile, is highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills help you bridge gaps between creative and operational teams. These skills are vital for streamlining workflows, ensuring project delivery, and driving alignment across multidisciplinary teams.

How does a design operations manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve workflow efficiency?

A Design Operations Manager works closely with design, product, engineering, and marketing teams to streamline processes, set clear priorities, and remove obstacles that hinder productivity. They often facilitate regular check-ins, build and optimize workflows, and implement tools or systems that foster communication and transparency. By acting as a liaison and ensuring alignment between departments, they help the broader team deliver high-quality design work on time, while also identifying opportunities to refine processes for future projects.

What is the difference between Design Operations Manager vs UX Designer?

AspectDesign Operations ManagerUX Designer
Primary FocusOversees design processes, tools, and team workflowsDesigns user experiences and interfaces
Required SkillsProject management, process optimization, leadershipUser research, wireframing, prototyping
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with design teams, product managers, and developersWorks directly on user interface and experience design
Common CertificationsProject Management Professional (PMP), Agile certificationsUX certifications (e.g., NN/g, Human Factors)

The Design Operations Manager focuses on streamlining design workflows and managing teams, while the UX Designer concentrates on creating engaging user experiences. Both roles often collaborate but serve different functions within the design process.

What is a design operations manager?

Design Operations Managers are professionals who streamline and optimize processes within design teams to improve efficiency, collaboration, and the quality of creative output. They bridge the gap between design, product, and business operations by implementing workflows, managing resources, and ensuring projects stay on track. Their responsibilities often include project management, budget oversight, and facilitating communication across teams. By establishing best practices and removing operational barriers, Design Operations Managers enable designers to focus more on creative work and innovation.
More about Design Operations Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Operations Manager jobs? Cities with the most Design Operations Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Operations jobs? The most popular types of Design Operations jobs are:
What states have the most Design Operations Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Operations Manager jobs include:
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Design Operations Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,456 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Design Operations Manager

Something Special Studios

New York, NY • On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

The Design Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of our Spatial Design and Visual Design teams.
The role is a key partner to the Spatial Design and Graphic Design department heads and will work closely with Creative Directors, Design Directors, Client Services, Production, Finance and Resourcing to ensure designers are effectively allocated, projects are planned appropriately, and studio operations run smoothly.
This person acts as the operational backbone of the design department-balancing workload, improving processes, supporting project delivery, and helping teams produce exceptional creative work.
Responsibilities
Resource Planning
  • Own day-to-day resourcing across the Spatial and Graphic Design teams.
  • Balance workloads, allocate designers, and identify future staffing needs.
  • Partner with leadership on freelance support, hiring, and team capacity planning.
  • Attend weekly resourcing and Operations meetings
Design Operations
  • Manage operational workflows across both design disciplines.
  • Maintain visibility across active design work.
  • Ensure project information, timelines and deliverables are clearly communicated
  • Identify delivery risks early and propose solutions.
  • Coordinate internal reviews, milestones and approvals.
  • Establish and continuously improve studio processes and ways of working.
Project Delivery & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Client Services, Production, and Creative leadership to translate project scopes into resource plans and delivery timelines.
  • Ensure strong communication across teams and support projects from kickoff through completion.
  • Escalate resource, timeline, or operational challenges and help identify solutions.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across design verticals.
Studio & Team Support
  • Support onboarding, training, and knowledge sharing across the design team.
  • Monitor team utilization and operational performance, using insights to improve how the studio works.
  • Foster an environment where designers can focus less on operations and more on producing exceptional creative work.

Qualifications
  • 5-8+ years of experience in design operations, creative operations, project management or studio management.
  • Experience working within a creative agency, design consultancy, architecture practice or experiential agency.
  • Strong understanding of both graphic and spatial design workflows.
  • Excellent resource planning and scheduling skills.
  • Exceptional organizational and communication abilities.
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent projects.
  • Comfortable balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong problem-solving mindset.
  • Proficiency with project management and resource planning tools (Harvest, Smartsheet, Float or similar).
  • Experience working with cross-functional creative teams.
  • Team management experience is a plus.
Salary Range
$90,000 - $120,000 annually. Salary for the prospective employee is determined by a combination of factors that include qualifications, applicable skills, relevant experience and other budgetary considerations such as location/geography.
Benefits Include
  • Comprehensive health coverage- Medical, dental and vision insurance, plus HSA and FSA options.
  • 401(k) with company contribution- 3% Safe Harbor contribution after six months of service, whether or not you contribute yourself.
  • Company-paid life insurance- Basic Life and AD&D coverage included, with the option to purchase additional coverage.
  • Generous paid time off- 15 days PTO in addition to Holiday Closures
  • Summer Fridays - Up to four Fridays off between Memorial Day and Labor Day, subject to workload.
  • Flexible sick leave
  • Hybrid working- 4 Days in Office / 1 Remote
  • Generous Employee Referral bonuses
  • Yearly profit sharing program
  • Employee & Company Performance-based bonus

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