Specialist, Global UXUI Experience Design (2 year assignment)

Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. Limited remote opportunities may be available within specific departments. You’ll learn more about this during the recruitment process.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Design Operations Specialist plays a critical role in executing and optimizing design operations workflows, ensuring seamless collaboration across teams, and driving operational efficiency and innovation within the Global UXUI Experience Design team. This role is responsible for implementing and executing best-in-class design processes, managing cross-functional coordination, and supporting strategic initiatives that align with Universal Destinations & Experiences’ (UDX) business objectives.

Reporting to the Design Operations Senior Manager, the Design Operations Specialist oversees key operational programs and activities, tracks UX/UI performance metrics, performs necessary operational and administrative processes, coordinates and implements departmental ceremonies, review cadences, and workshops, and continuously refines processes to enhance team productivity and effectiveness. The Design Operations Specialist additionally creates departmental documentation, best practices, and operating norms, maintains new hire onboarding and orientation, develops dashboards and reports for project, program, and resource planning, creates and maintains department trainings, evangelizes design and the Global Design System and standards across UDX.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program and Process Management

• Lead and optimize UX/UI operational workflows, ensuring alignment with business goals and design team needs
• Manage key design operation processes such as resource planning, team coordination, and workflow standardization.
• Own and oversee UX/UI new hire onboarding, maintaining and enhancing training materials and process documentation.
• Continually assess and refine process to improve team efficiencies and implement best practices across design operations.
• Manage Global Design System UX/UI asset management projects (e.g., icon library, UI asset library, SharePoint etc.).
• Maintain and acquire raw assets from vendors, and internal partners (e.g., Media Valet, Vendors, Universal Creative).

Cross-Team Collaboration and Stakeholder Management

• Facilitate UX/UI team ceremonies and workshops, including peer reviews, agency work sessions, and Quarterly Design Reviews.
• Serve as a liaison with design, technology, and business teams, ensuring seamless communication and project execution.
• Oversee design asset management projects (e.g., Global Design System, icon/UI libraries, DAM integration)
• Drive alignment on design file structure, technology, and CMS/DAM strategies for scalable asset management.
• Manage and coordinate design vendor contracts and agreements, ensuring appropriate coverage and compliance.

Data-Driven Reporting, and Metrics Tracking

• Track and report on UX/UI team performance metrics in partnership with cross-functional analytics and business intelligence partners, including design system usage, process efficiencies, and operational KPIs.
• Analyze workflow bottlenecks and propose data-driven recommendations for continuous process improvement.
• Prepare and submit reports on design project statuses, operational initiatives, and team impact on UDX business goals and objectives.

Team Culture and Thought Leadership

• Champion team culture initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and professional development within the UX/UI team.
• Package and present design achievements, industry best practices, and thought leadership initiatives.
• Lead the planning and execution of workshops and initiatives to foster design thinking and improve team clarity and culture.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field or discipline or demonstrated combination or relevant education and experience. (i.e., Program Management, Project Management, Design Operations, User Experience, Product Design, Experience Design, Marketing Technology, UX Research, Human Centered Interaction and/or Interaction Design, Management, or Marketing.)

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 years of experience in design operations, digital experience, UX/UI project management, or creative operations preferred, or other relevant combination of education and experience.
• Experience coordinating operational workflows for creative teams and supporting cross functional collaboration.
• Strong understanding of design or creative project or program management, process optimization, and workflow automation, including the ability to create project plans, monitor budgets, and manage complex projects with multiple designers, developers, and product owners.
• Must be proactive with strong analytical problem-solving skills, and ability to make decision in potentially ambiguous situations using available data.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization, including senior leadership, and to influence and collaborate with both technical and non-technical team members.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and advocate for data-driven ideas and to strategically execute on those ideas through consensus building and influence cross-functional partners.
• Strong analytical, written, and oral communication skills, and be able to explain complex concepts both concisely and simply. Able to interpret data and trends, diagnose problems, and recommend effective action plans to resolve issues is critical.
• Proficiency in Mircrosoft Office
• Prior experience with creative or software development project management software is preferred including but not limited to: Jira, Workfront, SmartSheets, Confluence or similar software/platforms.
  Prior experience with design and content management software is preferred including: Tridion, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Media Valet.
• Working knowledge of relational databases is a plus
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies is a plus
• Some experience with user experiences design or creative teams and large-scale program planning and implementation.
• Positive attitude, flexibility, professional demeanor with intellectual curiosity and a strong willingness to learn.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

Universal Orlando Resort. .

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