Design Operations Lead

25WD93370

Position Overview

We are seeking our first Design Operations Lead to establish operational excellence for the Platform Experience Design team. This foundational role will build the operational infrastructure and establish the systems, processes, and frameworks that will help us scale our impact while maintaining our high bar for quality and collaboration.

This role reports to the Director of Experience Design and operates at the principal level—acting as a strategic advisor and hands-on operator who can balance building foundational systems with planning for future scale.

Location: Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto to work hybrid/remote. Open to fully remote candidates in Canada only.

Responsibilities

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Act as strategic advisor to the Director of Experience Design, serving as a trusted partner on operational strategy and team effectiveness

• Drive operational excellence across the Experience Design team, ensuring alignment between day-to-day execution and strategic objectives

• Manage and refine the organization's strategic roadmap, tracking key initiatives and providing visibility through clear status reporting

• Promote collaboration by creating opportunities for team knowledge-sharing and breaking down silos across the design organization

• Partner with Product Management and Engineering to establish effective cross-functional operational cadences

• Shape and scale Design Operations to support organizational growth with adaptable, sustainable processes

Operational Efficiency & Governance

• Establish and drive governance for staff meetings, planning cycles, and team reviews—ensuring clear tracking of priorities, blockers, and follow-ups

• Oversee team capacity and resource allocation, ensuring teams have the resources, time, and space they need to do their best work

• Evaluate and implement operational tools and processes (Airtable, Figma, Dovetail, etc.) to enhance workflow efficiency

• Own tool and system infrastructure including design tools, documentation systems, and knowledge management solutions

• Maintain pulse on team health and productivity through surveys, feedback collection, and engagement initiatives

• Oversee vendor and outsourced team management (if applicable)

Measurement & Impact Demonstration

• Establish metrics and KPIs for design team effectiveness, output quality, and business impact

• Track and report on team performance, including capacity, velocity, and project delivery

• Create artifacts and reports that showcase team progress and value to executive stakeholders

• Build reporting frameworks that connect design work to business outcomes and strategic initiatives

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Manage executive stakeholder communication, creating clear, compelling updates on team progress and impact

• Facilitate transparent communication across distributed team members and cross-functional partners

• Lead operational workshops including retrospectives, planning sessions, and process improvement initiatives

• Partner with HR and Talent to establish hiring operations, interview processes, and onboarding programs

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years in design operations, program management, product operations, or related operational leadership roles

• Proven track record establishing operational systems from scratch or in high-growth, ambiguous environments

• Experience partnering with design leadership at Director level or above as a strategic advisor

• Deep expertise in operational frameworks, process design, and change management

• Data-driven mindset with experience establishing metrics and driving decisions through insights

• Excellent stakeholder management with experience communicating with executives and cross-functional partners

• Tool proficiency across design and collaboration platforms (Figma, Airtable, Jira, Confluence, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI product development operations or supporting teams building emerging technology products

• Background supporting platform or infrastructure design teams

• Experience in enterprise software or B2B environments

Learn More

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software – from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk – it’s at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you’re an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. For Canada-BC based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $108,800 and $149,600. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Diversity & Belonging
We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/diversity-and-belonging

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