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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design operations, manage workflows, and ensure inclusive team ceremonies.
- Company: Join John Goddard Associates, a leader in delivering impactful digital experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with competitive pay of £500 per day.
- Why this job: Make a difference in accessibility while enhancing your operational skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in DesignOps or Programme Management; skilled in tools like Jira and Figma.
- Other info: This is a 6-month contract with flexible onsite requirements.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
Overview
Join to apply for the Design Operations Manager role at John Goddard Associates.
London / Salford (hybrid) | 6-month contract | £500 per day via umbrella
One of our public sector clients is looking for a Design Operations Manager to join their Accessibility team and help deliver inclusive, high-impact digital experiences at scale. In this role, you\’ll drive operational maturity and team enablement — embedding frameworks, rituals, and systems that support alignment, clarity, and performance. You\\\’ll facilitate retrospectives, lead daily stand-ups, manage planning cycles, and ensure all team ceremonies are inclusive, accessible, and effective.
You\’ll also own day-to-day delivery management: overseeing task workflows, surfacing risks, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration with teams like product, content, and legal. Partnering closely with accessibility leadership, you\’ll help track OKRs, prioritise strategic initiatives, and report progress across multiple stakeholders.
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in DesignOps, Programme Management, or Operations within digital, design, or accessibility teams.
- Deep understanding of operational frameworks, maturity models, delivery rituals, and continuous improvement methods.
- Skilled in tools like Smartsheet, Jira, Miro, Figma, Slack, and Confluence.
- Experienced in OKR tracking, strategic planning, and managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills – able to lead meetings, align stakeholders, and clearly synthesise complex information.
- Comfortable working with legal and procurement teams to support third-party contracting and delivery.
Nice To Have
- Experience in accessibility, inclusive design, or digital inclusion.
- Understanding of WCAG standards or agency/vendor management.
This is a 6-month contract working hybrid from either Salford or London (1-2 days onsite per week). Day rate circa £500 paid via umbrella company.
Apply today to be considered!
McGregor Boyall is an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on any grounds.
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Design Operations Manager employer: John Goddard Associates
Contact Detail:
John Goddard Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Smartsheet, Jira, and Miro. Having hands-on experience or even a basic understanding of these platforms can set you apart during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your experience with operational frameworks and delivery rituals. Think of examples where you've successfully implemented these in past roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive operational maturity.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication and facilitation skills by being ready to lead mock meetings or retrospectives during the interview process. This will highlight your ability to align stakeholders and manage team dynamics effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the principles of accessibility and inclusive design, especially WCAG standards. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will demonstrate your commitment to the role and its objectives.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in DesignOps, Programme Management, or Operations. Emphasise your skills in operational frameworks and tools like Smartsheet, Jira, and Figma, as these are crucial for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about inclusive design and how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Design Operations Manager role. Mention specific examples of how you've driven operational maturity in previous positions.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, consider including a section in your application that demonstrates your ability to lead meetings and align stakeholders. You could mention any relevant experiences where you facilitated discussions or synthesised complex information.
Highlight Relevant Tools Experience: Be sure to list your proficiency with tools mentioned in the job description, such as Jira, Miro, and Confluence. If you have experience with OKR tracking or managing multiple workstreams, make that clear as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Goddard Associates
✨Showcase Your DesignOps Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles in Design Operations or Programme Management. Highlight specific projects where you implemented operational frameworks or improved team performance, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive operational maturity.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Key Tools
Since the role requires proficiency in tools like Smartsheet, Jira, and Miro, make sure you can speak confidently about your experience with these platforms. If possible, provide examples of how you've used them to enhance team collaboration and project delivery.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Given the importance of communication in this role, prepare to showcase your facilitation skills. Think of instances where you successfully led meetings or aligned stakeholders, and be ready to explain how you synthesised complex information for diverse audiences.
✨Understand Accessibility Principles
While not mandatory, having a grasp of accessibility standards like WCAG can set you apart. Brush up on inclusive design principles and be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your operational strategies to ensure digital experiences are accessible to all.
