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Design Operations Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Operations Manager Posting Start Date: 7/16/26 At TE, you will unleash your potential working with ... With more than 350 design engineers and a global presence in all key medical device hubs, we are a ...

Company Description Element Six is a global leader in the design, development and production of ... Act as second-in-command to the General Manager for operational matters, providing visible ...

The Business Operations Manager serves as the operational hub of the firm, ensuring the business ... Hacker is an architecture and interior design studio headquartered in Portland, Oregon with an ...

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Design Operations Manager information

See Portland, OR salary details

$32.9K

$67.3K

$125.7K

How much do design operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for design operations manager in Portland, OR is $67,296.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,500.00 and $82,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

Is a design operations manager a high paying job?

Design operations managers typically earn competitive salaries that reflect their experience, skills, and the size of the organization. In many industries, they are considered senior roles with compensation often above average for managerial positions, especially in companies with strong design or creative teams.

Is a design operations manager a stressful job?

A design operations manager role can be stressful due to managing multiple projects, coordinating between teams, and meeting deadlines. The job often requires strong organizational skills, problem-solving, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations, especially in fast-paced environments.

What does a design operations manager do?

A design operations manager oversees the processes, tools, and workflows that support a company's design team, ensuring efficient project delivery and collaboration. They often manage resource allocation, implement design systems, and work with project management tools to optimize team productivity and quality. Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Operations jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Design Operations jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Operations Manager jobs in Portland, OR?

For Design Operations Manager jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Operations Manager jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Operations Manager jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Design Operations Manager job openings in Portland, OR as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,296 per year, or $32.4 per hour.

Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA

Portland, OR • On-site

Deckers
Apparel and Accessories Stores • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Color, Material, and Digital Concept Design, ensuring readiness for seasonal planning, milestones, and key meetings.

  • Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures that improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

  • Partner with leadership to plan and execute seasonal design milestones.


Deckers Brands rating

9.0

Company rating: 9.0 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 62 rated fashion and textile manufacturers


Job description

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

Job Title: Sr. Manager, Design Operations - HOKA
Reports to: Director, Product Operations - HOKA


Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid)

Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday - Thursday

The Role

As the Sr. Design Operations Manager, you will be the driving force behind operational excellence for the HOKA Footwear Design organization. You'll collaborate with design leaders and cross-functional partners to optimize processes, establish effective operating practices, and ensure seamless execution throughout the product creation lifecycle. Your work will empower the Design team to focus on creating world-class products while delivering on seasonal business objectives and supporting broader initiatives across Footwear and Apparel Design.

We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

  • Lead the operational cadence across Footwear Design, including Product, Color, Material, and Digital Concept Design, ensuring readiness for seasonal planning, milestones, and key meetings.
  • Establish and evolve design processes and operating procedures that improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Identify pain points and implement operational improvements to strengthen cross-functional alignment.
  • Partner with leadership to plan and execute seasonal design milestones.
  • Drive cross-functional initiatives that enable alignment, accountability, and successful execution throughout the Go-To-Market process.
  • Facilitate decision-making by clarifying ownership, timelines, dependencies, and risks.
  • Anticipate execution risks and drive timely resolution to support seasonal objectives.
  • Raise operational standards, foster accountability, and lead organizational change by simplifying ways of working and influencing adoption of best practices.
  • Optimize systems, tools, and resources to enable efficient execution and leverage technology and automation for improved productivity.
  • Develop reporting frameworks and performance metrics to measure organizational health and support strategic planning through data-driven insights.

Who You Are

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Design, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 8+ years of experience in operations, design operations, product creation, or a related function, preferably within the footwear, apparel, or consumer products industry.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and driving process and organizational improvements.
  • Experience working within a global product creation organization and partnering across Design disciplines, Product Management, Development, and other cross-functional teams.
  • Strong operational and strategic thinking with the ability to translate organizational needs into clear processes, priorities, and actions.
  • Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, dependencies, and stakeholders.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complex conversations and build alignment across functions and levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify inefficiencies, challenge existing ways of working, and drive practical solutions that improve organizational performance.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, balanced with the ability to understand the broader business context and prioritize what matters most.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a high degree of ownership, accountability, and adaptability.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data and insights to inform decisions and recommendations.

What We'll Give You -

  • Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We've created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they're valued.
  • Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
  • Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees' needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
  • Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
  • Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That's why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
  • Health and Wellness - There's nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.
$137,500.00 - $185,600.00

The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in:

Portland, Oregon

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.


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