Manager, Design Operations

About the RoleABOUT THIS ROLEA strategic and operational leader within Athleta’s Product Operations & Digital Product Creation (DPC) team, driving efficiency, alignment, and innovation across Global Design and cross-functional partners. This role integrates digital product creation into the design process by optimizing workflows, resources, and collaboration while championing emerging technologies such as 3D and AI. Additionally, this role will support the design teams on DPC implementation and upskilling. The ideal candidate combines strong design and technical expertise (proficiency with 3D apparel software - CLO strongly preferred and AI-assisted design workflows) with a passion for digital innovation to enable creative teams and elevate the end-to-end product development process. This role should also have a solid understanding of design sketching, garment construction, fabrics, and materials. Prior experience as an apparel designer is preferred.What You'll DoRESPONSIBILITIESDesign OperationsStrategic Partnership: Serve as a key thought partner to Athleta Design leadership, shaping departmental priorities, establishing best practices, and implementing strategies that enhance creative productivity and cross-functional efficiency.Operational Excellence: Lead Design calendar management and milestone planning, ensuring clarity, alignment, and adherence to P2M deadlines across the Design organization. Identify process gaps and implement solutions to drive continuous improvement. Support preparation and logistics for Design-led milestone meetings ensuring seamless coordination & alignment of expectations across teams.Team Leadership & Communication: Foster collaboration within the Design team through effective communication and well-structured team meetings. Act as the central hub for Design-related information, ensuring timely updates on processes, deliverables, and expectations.Collaboration: Partner with the broader Athleta Product Operations team, and the relevant cross-functional Leaders, to troubleshoot and streamline seasonal pipeline processes, optimize deliverables, and remove operational barriers for Design.Process Development & Governance: Maintain and enhance tools, workflows, and organizational systems that support the Design development process, inclusive of digital workflows and recommended efficiencies. Champion process consistency and transparency across all divisions. Identify new ways of working to improve the P2M calendarProject Leadership: Drive cross-divisional Design initiatives, ensuring key product and strategic updates are shared and executed across teams.Strategic Change Agent: Serve as a catalyst for continuous improvement and transformational ways of working, promoting innovation in Design operations and alignment with Athleta’s long-range goals.Design Digital Product Creation LeadSupport development of CLO, CLO-SET, and AI workflows and training for Design; identify opportunities for improvement and upskilling.Contribute to a strong 3D and AI onboarding experience to drive adoption and skill development across Design.Support change-management strategies and communication for the overall DPC program with Design.Lead or co-lead proofs of concept (POCs) to explore new processes and system enhancements.Create digital assets, troubleshoot issues, and provide technical support for Design during seasonal deliverables.Collaborate with Design partners to define and articulate DPC strategy in alignment with business objectives.Support vendor relationship management, digital quality standards, and process improvements in partnership with the GIS DPC team.Participate in cross-brand, internal team, and third-party solution meetings, inclusive of DPC initiativesTest beta releases and system upgrades for DPC and AI tools to ensure functionality and usability for DesignWho You AreQUALIFICATIONS4+ years of Apparel Design experience – understands critical product to market development cycles, timelines, and dependencies to create, develop and deliver product to customer. Prior experience as an apparel designer in a medium to large company preferred.Proficiency with CLO or Browzwear; CLO strongly preferred.Experience with AI-assisted design workflows.Experience creating and delivering training for systems, platforms, or processes (preferably a 3D system) preferred.Ability to work cross-functionally with diverse teams.Strong influencing skills and stakeholder management.Excellent presentation and storytelling skills.Highly organized, with proven project-management and documentation experience.Eagerness to learn new technologies and drive innovation in ways of working.Demonstrated agility in managing multiple projects in ambiguous environments, with the ability to reprioritize as needed.Strong problem solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to assess complex situations, analyze data, exercise sound judgment, and recommend solutions.