Opportunity
This pivotal role focuses on optimizing design processes, tracking key metrics, and facilitating the smooth operation of our Global Design studios. This leader will oversee and optimize design programs and process across global studios while leading special projects and initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of best practices in design operations, program management, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to foster cross-functional collaboration. Success in this role relies heavily on building authentic relationships with peers, partners, and leaders.
Design Program / Portfolio Management:
Oversee multiple design programs globally, tracking deliverables and ensuring they meet organizational objectives.Manage the health of key cadences, including the monthly Concept and Design Review, ensuring key milestones and deliverables are met.Scale strategic design initiatives in partnership with design leadership, connecting the dots across a complex organization and diplomatically navigating challenges.Develop and manage resourcing tools and tracking for the global design team. Helping to deploy resources effectively, balancing workloads and optimizing team efficiency.Identify potential risks and challenges within programs, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate delays and risks while being solutions oriented.
Process Optimizations & Best Practices:
Process Development: Create scalable processes for end-to-end connectivity across global and regional design teams that drive design quality.Documentation and Training: Create and rollout documentation and training on workflows, best practices, tool usage, and design metric reporting.Global Governance Systems: Build and launch global governance systems, including trainings and tools, to ensure operational excellence and compliance.Efficiency Enhancement: Continuously seek opportunities to improve Design’s efficiency within NPD to support a more streamlined and integrated process.Quality Assurance: Establish and maintain quality control processes to ensure high standards for design deliverables and proper documentation of approvals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Partner with Design Leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to improve creative workflows, using clear communication and a results-driven approach to solve complex problems.Shape agendas and facilitate team rhythms, leadership team sessions, and other events/meetings as needed.Own and drive communications and operations for a large design team to keep the team informed and motivated, always prioritizing and supporting a healthy design culture.Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure adherence to quality and delivery standards.
Business & Strategy:
Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate design performance and identify trends and strategies for improvement.Support global budget development and tracking aligned with annual financial planning rhythms.
Mentorship & Influence:
Lead, mentor, and inspire the Design organization to adopt new ways of working. Driving change management across the team.  Support the onboarding and management of contractors and vendors as needed.