Design Ops Lead

We’re looking for an experienced DesignOps Lead to join our global Design team. This role is a unique opportunity to have an impact on Wise’s mission, and help save millions more people money. 

About the DesignOps Team

Our Design team is growing fast - and we’ve got growin’ up to do. We’re on a mission to create a more sophisticated approach to how we operationalise Design at scale. The scale part is critical for us, as we’re nearly a hundred people in Design already spanning five disciplines, with global expansion plans. DesignOps is relatively new to Wise and we’re a small but mighty team of four looking to double the team in 2023. Our goal is to ensure we are working as efficiently and effectively as possible, to generate consistently great outcomes for our customers and partners - and have fun along the way. We do that by removing the CRUD (Complex Repetitive Uninspiring Distractions) and unlocking the potential of every Wiser in our org.

Your mission:

You’ll own how we get work done. You’ll design and implement solutions and systems for how we standardise, harmonise and prioritise our work across the entire org. It’s a big task with big impact.

This role is highly collaborative, and the successful candidate will be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment while working strategically to solve problems, build solutions, and maintain the day-to-day. Reporting to the Design Chief of Staff, you will partner together to create velocity on a number of initiatives big and small. 

Your ability to navigate ambiguity, engage stakeholders, communicate clearly, and understand the big picture are your greatest assets. Oh, and Design throws the best parties so you don’t mind getting roped into an event or two.

Here’s how you’ll be contributing to Wise Design:

• Strategic effort in templatizing our process, methods, and systems
• Building effective processes and governance
• Be empowered to create solutions for the team to move faster and work more effectively
• Be an ambassador of Design, interfacing with a myriad of stakeholders
• Focus on the operations infrastructure to ensure our team is optimised, being regularly revisited, and maintained - with a focus on setting and automating systems for ease of use by end users 
• Think strategically and tactically - delivering solutions that work
• Develop metrics to regularly assess the health and effectiveness / efficiency of the team and our tools and processes
• Train teams where relevant on best practice or new tools/processes
• Own and update process-related documentation and ensure team members and leaders can quickly and easily find what they need
• Collaborate closely with your manager and teammates to grow the DesignOps function; constantly look for ways to improve and make others successful
• As the team grows, become a manager and mentor for other DesignOps members

This role will give you the opportunity to: 

• Choose your path to impact - we believe people are most empowered when they have the ability to act with high autonomy and accountability
• Be part of our mission to make money without borders the new normal
• Grow your skill sets and gain experience, while you collaborate across teams and disciplines in a fast growing company

About you: 

• Systems-thinker who can also build a narrative around why systems matter
• A builder of process with an acute understanding of the people and teams who will interact with the systems 
• Strong business acumen and ability to balance needs of the brand, the business, and the Design team
• Someone who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys bringing order to chaos 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, understanding of importance of clear communication in a hybrid work environment
• Experience working in a fast-paced mission-driven global organisation
• Genuine passion for your work and the brands that you worked for, you're motivated by our mission
• Experience in successfully managing cross-functional projects with complex stakeholder involvement, and complicated timelines and deliverables
• Experience in a high growth environment and people management a plus
• You might have a very nonlinear career. That’s cool -  we believe that prior experience can make you stronger, faster and wiser 

We’re people without borders — without judgement or prejudice, too. We want to work with the best people, no matter their background. So if you’re passionate about learning new things and keen to join our mission, you’ll fit right in.

Also, where and what you studied isn't important to us. If you’ve got great experience, the right skills for the role and you’re great at articulating your thinking, we’d like to hear from you.And because we believe that diverse teams build better products, we’d especially love to hear from you if you’re from an under-represented demographic.

Due to annual leaves and the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays you might experience a bit of delay from our recruiters coming back to you on your application. We are still accepting applications but we will only be able to review them in early January. Thank you for your patience and understanding.