Explore Senior Design & Research Operations Specialist jobs and discover a pivotal career at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and systems. This senior-level operational role is dedicated to building the infrastructure that allows product design and user research teams to scale effectively, collaborate seamlessly, and deliver maximum impact. Professionals in this field act as strategic connectors and force multipliers, ensuring that creative talent can focus on innovation by removing logistical and procedural friction. They are the architects behind the scenes, crafting the processes, managing the tools, and fostering the culture that enables a human-centered design organization to thrive. Typically, a Senior Design & Research Operations Specialist is responsible for a broad portfolio aimed at maturing the practice. Common responsibilities include establishing and managing the core tools, systems, and budgets for design and research teams. They shape the essential rhythms, rituals, and communication channels that align teams both internally and with cross-functional partners like product management and engineering. A significant portion of the role often involves overseeing research operations: coordinating participant recruitment, managing incentives, scheduling studies, and creating systems to synthesize and socialize insights across the organization. These specialists also develop onboarding programs, craft shared documentation and guidelines, and relentlessly identify opportunities for process improvement to enhance clarity, speed, and decision-making. To excel in these jobs, individuals generally possess a hybrid skill set that blends deep operational acumen with an understanding of design and research methodologies. Typical requirements include 5+ years of experience in design, research, or product operations, coupled with exceptional organizational and program management skills. Proficiency with a suite of modern collaboration, design, and research tools (such as Figma, Miro, or user testing platforms) is standard. Success demands a pragmatic, collaborative problem-solving approach, comfort in navigating ambiguity to create structure, and a strong foundational understanding of user experience principles. These specialists are metrics-driven, often tracking team health and efficiency, and are continuous improvement advocates who partner with leadership to execute on a long-term operational vision. For those who enjoy optimizing ecosystems to empower creative work, Senior Design & Research Operations Specialist jobs offer a challenging and highly impactful career path.
