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Design Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

JLL

Senior Operations Manager

Chicago, IL

You will partner closely with design leadership and cross-functional teams to align studio operations with JLL PDS standards, mitigate risk across vendor and project engagements, and build the ...

Kraft Heinz Company

Director, Design

Chicago, IL · On-site

$190K - $237K/yr

Driving continuous improvement across design operations and commercialization processes Qualifications * Demonstrated success leading end-to-end design programs from strategy through execution

Grainger Businesses

Sr Mgr, Engineering Design

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$123K - $205K/yr

W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America ... Position Details The Senior Manager, Engineering Design leads supply chain engineering design ...

NinjaTrader

Sr. Designer, Design System

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Build and optimize Figma libraries, variables, plugins, automation, and AI-assisted workflows to streamline design operations * Support product designers by providing guidance, documentation ...

Alliant

Director Marketing Operations

Chicago, IL · On-site

$149K - $256K/yr

Own the operational budget for marketing tools, technology, licensing, design operations, and external vendor engagements * Ensure disciplined financial management, including accurate forecasting ...

Atlas

Bridge/Highway Structural Engineer 3

Chicago, IL · On-site

Implements processes that help ensure constant organizational compliance with all laws, codes, and regulations that govern structural engineering planning and design operations. * Prepares structural ...

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Design Operations information

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How much do design operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for design operations in Chicago, IL is $20.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $23.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can I do with a design management degree?

A design management degree prepares individuals for roles that oversee design projects, coordinate teams, and align creative work with business goals. Graduates can pursue positions such as design manager, project lead, or operations coordinator, often utilizing skills in project management, communication, and design tools like Adobe Creative Suite. The degree provides a foundation for leadership in creative environments and may require experience with strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration.

What is the highest paying career in design?

Senior roles such as Creative Director, Design Director, or UX Director tend to be the highest paying careers in design, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and expertise in design tools and processes.

What is a Design Operations job?

A Design Operations (DesignOps) job focuses on optimizing design team workflows, improving collaboration, and ensuring efficient processes. It involves resource planning, tooling, and scaling design efforts to enhance productivity and impact. DesignOps professionals help bridge gaps between design, product, and engineering teams, enabling designers to focus on creativity while maintaining operational efficiency.

What do design operations do?

Design operations professionals manage and optimize the processes, tools, and workflows that support design teams. They coordinate resources, implement design systems, and improve efficiency to ensure smooth collaboration and high-quality output across projects.

What is a design ops specialist?

A design ops specialist is a professional who manages and optimizes the processes, tools, and workflows used by design teams to improve efficiency and collaboration. They often work with project management tools, establish best practices, and support designers in scaling their work within an organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Design Operations position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Operations professional, a strong understanding of design processes, project management, and cross-functional collaboration is essential, often supported by a background in design or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Figma, Asana, Jira, and workflow management systems is commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and an aptitude for organization are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure that design teams operate efficiently, deliver high-quality work, and maintain alignment with business goals.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Design Operations?

In Design Operations, daily tasks often include coordinating project timelines, facilitating communication between designers and other departments, maintaining design systems, and streamlining workflows. You may also be responsible for organizing team meetings, setting process standards, and managing resource allocation. The role requires balancing strategic planning with hands-on support to ensure the design team functions smoothly and meets deadlines. By playing this integral role, Design Operations professionals help maximize the creative team's impact and efficiency.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? For Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Design Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Design Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Operations job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,498 per year, or $20.4 per hour.
Creative & Design Operations Lead (Hybrid)

Creative & Design Operations Lead (Hybrid)

Enova International

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$80K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Enova International rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas or take over sponsorship at this time.
About the Role:
This is a high-ownership role at the center of how Enova Studios operates. We're rapidly evolving and want an operations leader who knows how to bridge Creative Ops and DesignOps, owning the systems, tools and processes that keep creative production and product/UX design moving. You'll work in close partnership with the Head of Studios to set priorities, surface risks and drive the operational roadmap. You'll be the connective tissue between Studios and the broader business, leading cross-functional conversations and managing vendor relationships in ways that build visibility for the work and the people behind it.
About Enova Studios
Enova Studios is the in-house creative agency for Enova's small business and consumer lending brands: OnDeck, CashNetUSA, NetCredit, Simplic and more. We bring Creative, Content, Code and UX capabilities together under one roof. Leveraging deep brand knowledge, cross-functional relationships and strategic context, we turn customer insights into work that drives real results.
About you Are you the kind of person who looks at a broken process and sees a design solution? Do you know the difference between a sprint and a production cycle and when each one applies? If you're energized by building smarter systems and helping creative and design teams do their best work, this role could be a great fit.
You know how creative and design teams work - the rhythms, the handoffs, the places where things quietly fall apart. You know how to build systems that hold. You're organized without being rigid. You're comfortable holding the line with stakeholders when the process calls for it and just as comfortable rolling up your sleeves when the team needs it.
What you'll Do
You'll own the operational infrastructure and execution of Enova Studios: reporting, traffic, tools, process and vendor management. You'll build the systems and visibility that keep the team running, growing and accountable for results.
Objectives:
  1. Work is organized, moving and unblocked across all Studios capabilities
  2. Leadership has clear visibility into project status and operational health
  3. Studios runs on a connected, well-maintained tool stack that account for marketing and product/UX design workflows alike
  4. External relationships are well-managed and held to Studios standards
  5. Studios is always looking at what's next in tools and AI, not just what's working now

Responsibilities:
  • Build and maintain dashboards that surface the true state of work and inform decision-making.
  • Own end-to-end traffic management: ensuring work is captured, prioritized, resourced and tied back to measurable impact
  • Partner with Studios managers on workflow, capacity and accountability so the team stays focused on execution
  • Step in as project manager on larger initiatives, comfortable running a sprint or a traditional project depending on what the work requires
  • Serve as primary administrator of Asana and lead integration across the Studios tool stack, owning configuration, automations and ongoing optimization
    • Asana, Jira, Slack, PageProof, Claude and others
  • Own SOPs, workflows and escalation paths, applying a design thinking approach to continuously improve how work moves
  • Own vendor relationships including SOW management, vetting and renewals, holding partners accountable to Studios standards

Requirements
  • 8+ years of experience in creative and/or design operations, ideally within a tech, fintech or agency environment
  • Deep proficiency with Asana and Jira, with a track record of building workflows that teams actually use
  • Proven experience operating across both Creative Ops and DesignOps functions, with an understanding of where they overlap and where they diverge
  • Deep understanding of both UX/product design and creative workflows (discovery, prototyping, testing, agile sprints) and traditional creative production cycles
    • Agile or scrum certification is a plus, with experience in applying velocity-based thinking to creative and design output
  • Demonstrated experience using AI and automation to improve operational workflows
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt your approach for different audiences and situations
  • A collaborative, human-centered approach to problem-solving
  • Experience managing vendor relationships and external agencies
  • Familiarity with creative and design tools including Figma, Adobe Creative Suite and review/approval platforms e.g. PageProof

Compensation
  • The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $80,000 - $114,000. Actual annual salary will be determined based on qualifications, skills, experience, and level assessed during the hiring process and may fall outside of the range shown. Additional compensation for this role may include a bonus. All full-time employees are eligible to participate in Company benefits, described in more detail here.

#BI-Hybrid #LI-Hybrid #LI-FB1
Benefits & Perks:
  • Our hybrid roles require in-office work Tuesday through Thursday, with remote flexibility on Mondays and Fridays. This schedule fosters collaboration, team connection, and strategic planning, enhancing communication and effectiveness to drive results.
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance including mental health benefits
  • 401(k) matching plus a roth option (U.S. Based employees only)
  • PTO & paid holidays off
  • Sabbatical program (for eligible roles)
  • Summer hours (for eligible roles)
  • Paid parental leave
  • DEI groups (B.L.A.C.K. @ Enova, HOLA @ Enova, Women @ Enova, Pride @ Enova, South Asians @ Enova, APEX @ Enova, and Parents @ Enova)
  • Employee recognition and rewards program
  • Charitable matching and a paid volunteer day...Plus so much more!

About Enova
Enova International is a leading financial technology company that provides online financial services through our AI and machine learning-powered Colossus™platform. We serve non-prime consumers and businesses alike, while offering world-class technology and services to traditional banks-in order to create accessible credit for millions.
Being a values-driven organization is at the core of Enova's success. We live our values by listening to our customers, challenging assumptions, thinking big, setting high expectations, and hiring and developing the best. Through our values and our commitment to making Enova an awesome place to work, we maintain an environment of inclusion and culture where our employees can thrive. You can learn more about Enova's values and culture here.
It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons and not discriminate in employment decisions by placing the most qualified person in each job, without regard to any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. California Applicants: Click here to review our California Privacy Policy for Job Applicants.

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