Senior Experience Design Operations Manager

Expedia Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Expedia Group is seeking a Senior Experience Design Operations Manager in San Francisco to lead operational programs that connect design strategy with delivery. You will partner with product, engineering, and design teams to improve planning, reviews, and coordination, enabling high-quality experiences at scale.

The role emphasizes building scalable processes, managing multi-team initiatives, and fostering a healthy delivery culture.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in design operations, program management, or cross-functional delivery supporting design or product teams.
• Strong understanding of design workflows, tools, and review processes in digital product environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Business, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Implement and refine processes, workflows, and rituals that connect design strategy to delivery.
• Manage multi-team initiatives, ensuring design work is scoped, aligned, and delivered on time.
• Work closely with product management, technical program management, and engineering to align planning and execution.
• Support design review pathways, from early squad reviews to leadership checkpoints.
• Identify friction points and help streamline planning and collaboration.
• Assist design leadership with prioritization, staffing visibility, and operational readiness.

Skills

Systems thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Design operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Business, or related field

Job description

Senior Experience Design Operations Manager

Locations: London, New York, Seattle, Austin, San Jose / San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Montreal, with other EG Locations up for discussion.

Introduction to the team:

As the design organization grows and evolves, strong operational systems are essential to help teams plan, build, and deliver great work. Experience Design Operations plays a central role in creating the clarity and structure that enable designers to focus on craft and impact.

This role is a key part of building a connected design organization that moves with purpose and delivers consistently high-quality experiences.

Experience Design Operations supports Expedia Group’s global design organization across product design, research, and content. We build the structures and practices that enable teams to work with clarity, efficiency, and creative confidence. Our goal is to make design predictable, scalable, and deeply integrated into product development.

As a Senior Manager, Design Operations, you will drive operational programs and processes within a key area of the design organization. You’ll partner with design, product, and engineering teams to improve how work is planned, reviewed, and delivered. Your work will help foster a healthy, sustainable delivery culture that supports great design at scale.

In This Role You Will:

• Operational Frameworks: Implement and refine processes, workflows, and rituals that connect design strategy to delivery. Ensure clarity and consistency across teams.
• Program Leadership: Manage multi-team initiatives, ensuring design work is scoped, aligned, and delivered on time. Track progress, risks, and dependencies to keep teams moving forward.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product management, technical program management, and engineering to align planning and execution. Strengthen communication and decision-making across disciplines.
• Review and Workflow Coordination: Support design review pathways, from early squad reviews to leadership checkpoints. Maintain schedules and alignment moments to ensure quality and momentum.
• Delivery Culture: Identify friction points and help streamline planning and collaboration. Promote sustainable practices that balance creativity with accountability.
• Team Support: Assist design leadership with prioritization, staffing visibility, and operational readiness. Help maintain communication practices that keep teams informed and connected.

Who You Are:

• A systems thinker who brings clarity to complex environments.
• A collaborative operator who builds strong relationships across disciplines.
• A steady, organized communicator who helps teams stay aligned and focused.
• A champion of craft, culture, and operational excellence within design.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in design operations, program management, or cross-functional delivery supporting design or product teams.
• Strong understanding of design workflows, tools, and review processes in digital product environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex programs and introduce operational improvements.
• Experience collaborating with product and engineering teams in matrixed organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Business, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting global or multi-brand product organizations.
• Familiarity with design systems, content operations, or research operations.
• Background in tooling, vendor management, or operational budgeting.
• Experience driving process improvements across large teams.

Expedia Group is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to support employees and their families, including medical/dental/vision, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program. To fuel each employee’s passion for travel, we offer a wellness & travel reimbursement, travel discounts, and an International Airlines Travel Agent (IATAN) membership. View our full list of benefits.