Design Operations Manager
We are looking for a highly organized, proactive, and people-centric Design Operations Manager to join our Kyiv Design Hub team. In this role, you will be the engine behind how the hub functions, blending operational structure with a human touch and a deep understanding of the design world. You will manage the "business of design"—from financial workflows and vendor management to the production of large-scale events and learning activities—ensuring our designers can focus on their best work in a high-energy environment. This is a unique opportunity for a leader who breathes design culture, speaks the professional lingo, and excels at matrix management to turn logistical and operational challenges into seamless, professional experiences.
Experience: 5+ years in Design Operations, Project Management, or Creative Agency Operations, with a proven track record of supporting large-scale creative teams.
Design Fluency & Community Connection: Deep familiarity with the design world and various professions (Web, Brand, Motion, etc.). You speak the lingo—you know what "typography," "art direction," and "design systems" mean in practice. Proven experience engaging with the design community is a must.
Event Production Expertise: Extensive experience in producing high-quality events and learning programs, from logistical planning and venue management to content coordination for diverse audiences.
Financial & Admin Savvy: Strong experience managing budgets, vendors, and complex administrative/financial workflows (POs, contracts) within a corporate environment.
Project Management Skills: Proficiency in tools like Monday.com, Asana, and Figma. Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously with a "bias toward action."
Matrix Management: Exceptional ability to lead through influence and build relationships across different departments and global locations.
People-First Mindset: High emotional intelligence and a genuine passion for building culture, supporting professional growth, and creating a positive, supportive team energy.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written English, with the presence and authenticity to lead and provide clarity in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Note: Due to the current situation in Ukraine, Wix is offering a flexible, hybrid model, up to the hiring manager’s discretion. We value our employees’ safety and needs and are willing to make any necessary arrangements.
Qualifications
End-to-End Project Management: Take full ownership of the project lifecycle for hub initiatives. Define project scopes, set realistic timelines, and track milestones for both creative and operational projects, identifying bottlenecks and unblocking teams to maintain high-velocity output.
Operational & Financial Enablement: Lead the end-to-end financial operations of the hub. This includes managing the "bureaucracy" of procurement, creating and tracking POs, managing budgets, and navigating internal financial workflows with precision.
Vendor & Supplier Management: Manage relationships with external providers, creative agencies, and freelancers. Lead negotiations and contracts, ensuring the hub works with the best partners while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality.
Event Production & Learning Activities: Own the production of internal and external events, professional workshops, community meetups, and external-facing design events. Curate and coordinate content and learning activities that ensure continuous professional growth and keep the team at the forefront of design trends.
Design Community & Hub Presence: Act as a bridge between the operational world and the creative community. Foster a design-oriented environment by staying connected to the local and global design community, ensuring the hub remains a lighthouse for talent.
Matrix Leadership: Influence and align stakeholders across design, product, and business teams. Move work forward by building trust and connecting dots across the organization, often without formal authority.
Delivery, Capacity & Process Improvement: Maintain a clear view of team capacity to match the right skills to the right projects. Continuously define and evolve workflows that support creativity rather than limit it, removing "operational noise" from the designers’ day-to-day.
Stakeholder Communication: Effectively communicate operational status, financial updates, and resource needs to global Wix partners and the Design Guild.
Additional Information
At Wix Design Guild, we are a multidisciplinary in-house design studio of over 300 designers globally with a mission to implement a cohesive and coherent brand strategy across all visual assets at Wix. In 2025, we expanded our creative footprint with the launch of the Kyiv Design Hub—a new center of innovation, collaboration, and design excellence. This 30+ designer hub serves as a creative powerhouse, bringing together talented designers to tackle strategic design tasks at scale, enhancing the variety and velocity of our in-house design capabilities. With a focus on creativity, collaboration, and user-first solutions, the Kyiv Design Hub plays a key role in shaping the future of design at Wix. We’re a team of visionaries who are passionate about design, driven by innovation, and ready to make an impact.