At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and scale design operations for innovative automotive experiences.
- Company: Join Toyota Connected Europe, a leader in automotive design.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and impactful projects.
- Other info: Dynamic role with clear outcomes and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in design processes and influence senior stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in Design Ops and strong data skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
We’re hiring a Design Operations expert to build and scale the operational backbone of Toyota Experience Design (TxD). Our design teams work across digital products, in-car experiences, and strategic initiatives, partnering with product, engineering, and business stakeholders across Europe and globally. As the organisation grows, we’re looking for someone to bring clarity, structure, and performance visibility to how design operates and scales.
This is a systems-focused role, responsible for improving how we plan, prioritise, deliver, and measure design work, ensuring our design teams can operate efficiently while maintaining high quality.
What you’ll be doing:
- Define and evolve a lightweight design operating model across various design teams.
- Improve how work is planned, scoped, and delivered.
- Support quarterly planning, prioritisation, and roadmap alignment.
- Improve visibility of capacity, demand, and dependencies.
- Build and maintain clear reporting frameworks.
- Track key design performance metrics.
- Reduce waste, duplication, and coordination overhead.
- Facilitate communication across distributed teams.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience in Design Ops operating in complex, cross-functional organisations.
- Track record of improving ways of working and operational efficiency.
- Strong data and reporting skills (Excel, Jira dashboards, etc).
- Comfortable working with tools like Jira, Confluence, Airtable, Figma, and AI.
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams and dependencies.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong commercial awareness: understands cost, budget, efficiency, trade-offs, etc.
- Systems thinker with a pragmatic, outcome-focused approach.
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and driving clarity.
- Focused on enabling teams, not controlling them.
What this role is not:
- Not a tooling rollout or transformation programme.
- Not a people management position.
Why join us:
- Work on complex, large-scale design challenges across automotive and digital.
- Partner directly with senior stakeholders and influence how design operates within Toyota Connected Europe.
- Opportunity to shape and scale a high-impact design function.
- Time-boxed role with clear outcomes and visibility of impact.
Design Ops SME in London employer: Toyota Connected Europe
At Toyota Connected Europe, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to tackle complex design challenges in the automotive and digital realms. As a Design Ops SME, you will have the unique opportunity to influence and shape our design operations while working alongside senior stakeholders in a hybrid environment in London. We offer a supportive atmosphere that prioritises employee growth, with clear outcomes and visibility of impact, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Ops SME in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the design ops space, especially those at Toyota Connected Europe. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in improving operational efficiency and managing complex projects. Make sure it’s easy to share when you connect with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of tools like Jira and Confluence. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions and improve processes in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Ops SME in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Design Ops. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your past successes in improving operational efficiency!
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since strong data and reporting skills are key for this role, include specific examples of how you've used tools like Excel or Jira dashboards in your previous positions. We love seeing numbers that demonstrate your impact!
Communicate Clearly:Your written application is a chance to show off your communication skills. Keep it clear and concise, and make sure to convey your understanding of the complexities involved in Design Ops. We’re looking for clarity and structure right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Toyota Connected Europe!
How to prepare for a job interview at Toyota Connected Europe
✨Know Your Design Ops Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of Design Operations. Brush up on how to define and evolve design operating models, as well as your experience with tools like Jira and Figma. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've improved operational efficiency will really impress.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since strong data and reporting skills are crucial for this role, prepare to talk about your experience with metrics and reporting frameworks. Bring examples of how you've tracked key performance indicators in previous roles, and be ready to discuss how you can apply that knowledge at Toyota Connected Europe.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
This role requires strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can facilitate communication across distributed teams and be prepared to share strategies you've used in the past to enhance collaboration.
✨Embrace Ambiguity and Drive Clarity
The job description mentions working comfortably in ambiguity. Prepare to discuss situations where you've navigated unclear circumstances and how you brought clarity to your team. Highlight your pragmatic, outcome-focused approach to problem-solving, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
