Design Operations Manager

Design Operations Manager
Dublin

This role is within Experience & Engineering in Ireland. We combine our skills in developing future-ready technical solutions with our expertise in creating beautiful designs to deliver exceptional and engaging digital experiences that build lasting relationships with our clients. 

JOB PURPOSE

We’re seeking a strategic and organised project manager to join our Digital Healthcare team as a Design Operations (DesignOps) Manager. The successful candidate will be experienced working with design teams (UX, Interaction Design and Content Design) and delivery teams to develop and continuously improve digital products. 

They will work with the Head of Design to drive collaboration and improve standards in our design practice. They will help us ensure effective collaboration across complex programmes of work and help us drive a culture of person centred, inclusive design in our organisation. 

The DesignOps Manager will enable collaboration and communication across teams. They will help align projects and timelines and ensure a focus on core design deliverables within the team. They will develop workflows, governance, and tooling to ensure the team can deliver high-quality, consistent, and inclusive solutions across multiple product teams and digital channels (apps, websites, services). This role is key to embedding a sustainable, user-centred design culture across the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Process & Collaboration

• Establish and document the end-to-end design workflow, from discovery research and content ideation through to delivery and QA.
• Drive and facilitate collaboration between the Design team and cross-functional partners (Product, Delivery and Infrastructure) to ensure design input is timely and integrated into planning.
• Help the team to standardise project management methodologies, aligning with multiple cross functional teams, from product and technology to communications.
• Support the UX and Content Managers and project leads with capacity planning, resource allocation, and tracking team outputs against strategic priorities.

2. Quality & Consistency

• Help to plan and deliver solutions to socialise the design system and the HSE Visual Identity, working with a core Design Ops team to ensure effective governance and maintenance of our guidance. 
• Work with the team to ensure standards and principles are documented and effectively socialised. Support the operationalisation of the HSE Digital Services Standard.
• Create and maintain essential operational documentation, including team playbooks, process flowcharts, and status reports that communicate the Design function's health and impact.

3. Culture & Standards 

• Work with the Head of Design to implement a structured plan to nurture the culture of the design team, fostering knowledge sharing, mentorship, and continuous improvement in design practice.
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy for design standards and ways of working, managing expectations, and balancing multiple views in decision-making.

Key Attributes

• Organised: An effective project manager, with experience working with UX, Content and Development teams. Comfortable working across methods and tooling to achieve organisational goals. 
• Systems Thinker: Ability to analyse interconnected processes and design efficient, scalable, and repeatable solutions for a growing function.
• Process Driven: Defining and refining operational workflows and governance to improve team performance and output quality.
• Effective Communicator: Confident producing succinct documents and engaging teams in change management. Comfortable working with diverse cross-functional partners.
• Solutions-focused: An ability to bring clarity to complexity and drive alignment across silos.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Essential:

• Proven experience in a Design Operations (DesignOps), UX Program Management, Digital Delivery or similar role focused on scaling creative or technical teams.
• Experience managing or contributing to a Design System, Content Style Guide, or pattern library.
• Deep understanding of UX, accessibility, and content design best practices.
• Familiarity with modern design and development lifecycle management tools (Figma, Jira, Monday, Confluence, Notion).
• Experience navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of public health or design for public service
• A passion for public service, for creating products that impact people’s lives
• Curiosity and empathy

WE OFFER:

• 26 days holiday (inclusive of 5 compulsory days) plus bank holidays.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Pension scheme.
• EAP and Wellbeing Scheme.
• Social and cultural events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT®.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

WHO ARE WE? 

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating. 

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, and your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our client's problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION 

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.