We’re looking for a Design Operations Manager to lead the optimization and efficiency of our product design processes and operations. You’ll be streamlining processes, managing resource allocation, and significantly impacting the quality and scalability of Design outcomes and innovation. This role is pivotal in shaping the operational strategy needed to ensure our team operates as a well-oiled machine, fostering a culture of creativity grounded in performance. The Design Operations Manager will report to the Vice President, Marketing. 

While working remotely or in a hybrid work arrangement, a blend of virtual (in accordance with Hootsuite’s distributed workforce strategy), and in Hootsuite’s London, Vancouver, or Toronto office, you will report to the VP, Marketing.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Allocate and manage the product design team’s capacity to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Anticipate resource needs and adjust allocations based on project demands and best possible fit with the team’s strengths and experience.
• Document, optimize, and integrate high-level design process and workflow, from initiation to delivery, with parallel process in Product, Engineering, and Program Management teams.
• Develop and implement the connections and processes needed to maximize team productivity across functions. This includes our approach to bridging gaps and a target operating model across functional disciplines like Design, Content, Research, Engineering, and Product. Regularly evaluate and refine operational procedures to ensure our design operations are as efficient as possible.
• Maintain and coordinate the range of tools and services the team requires to deliver their work at pace. This includes licensing and provisioning ownership for tools like Figma and Smartling, as well as serving as point of contact with those vendors for ongoing business reviews and contract renewal in partnership with our Legal and Procurement teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders regarding Design team activities. Provide regular status reports and monitor activity to protect the team’s bandwidth and focus.
• Set and articulate the vision for the team's operations, aligning with the company's goals and objectives. Strategize on long-term operational improvements to transform our team into a well-oiled machine.
• Foster a creative and performance-driven team culture. Encourage innovation, accountability, and excellence among team members and define the pathway to enablement through learning and capability distribution. Set metrics for design quality and track those metrics over time.
• Coordinate with the product design team and other departments to ensure smooth execution of projects. Facilitate meetings and discussions to keep everyone aligned and informed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.  

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Extensive relevant experience in design operations, project management, or a related field within a creative or design-led organization.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a talent for seeing the big picture and aligning operational efforts with broader company objectives.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of managing stakeholders’ expectations and confidently saying no to ensure focus on priorities.
• Experience in resource planning and management, with an ability to anticipate project needs and efficiently allocate resources. Proficiency in workflow and process optimization, with a track record of implementing effective operational improvements.
• Experience with JIRA, Confluence or similar product development/project tracking software.
• A leadership mindset focused on fostering a creative yet performance-based culture, encouraging innovation, and driving team excellence.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and make informed decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Process/Project Management: skilled at figuring out and managing the processes and timelines necessary to get work accomplished.
• Priority Setting: focuses time/energy on the most important issues/opportunities. Clearly understand how to assess the importance of tasks and decisions.
• Creativity and Innovation: seeks new and better ways of doing things, generates original and imaginative ideas, products, or solutions.
• Decision Making: consistently chooses the best course of action (from a number of alternatives) to address business problems and/or opportunities.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: works with others to deliver results, meaningfully contributing to the team and prioritizing group needs over individual needs.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Tenacious. You are determined to succeed, and you are motivated by the success of customers, colleagues and the community.
• Curious. You are always learning and seeking ways to make things better.
• Conscientious. You keep your promises, taking your commitments to others seriously, and you have strong integrity.
• Humble. You lead with humility and empathy, respecting and learning from the perspectives of others. 

In all we do, our six guiding principles light the way:

Step Up: Show the world what it looks like to live and work by these guiding principles. #StepUp

One Team: Make Hootsuite a place where everyone feels safe, welcome, valued, and empowered to do their best  work without compromising who they are. #OneTeam #FreeToBeMe

Customer Obsessed: Focus relentlessly on helping our customers succeed. #CustomerObsessed

Go Fast, Be Agile: Widen our competitive advantage by committing to speed and simplicity over perfection and complexity. #GoFastBeAgile

Play to Win: Commit to building an incredible, profitable company for our customers, our employees, and our stakeholders. #PlayToWin #NoExcuses

Neighbours & Allies: Give back to our communities and be an ally. #SocialForGood #Allies

Accommodations will be provided as requested by candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.