Principal Associate, Design Operations

Capital One Capital One · Banking · Toronto, ON

This role focuses on Design Operations within a fintech company, specifically integrating and automating AI solutions into the design process. The responsibilities include defining workflows, optimizing tooling, identifying AI opportunities, establishing AI governance, exploring synthetic data, curating AI tools, and driving AI literacy through workshops and playbooks. While AI is a significant focus for improving design operations, the core deliverable is not an AI model or agent itself, but rather the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the design team.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead the definition and execution of standardized XD workflows and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to advance team efficiency across XD research, CX insights, product design, content design, and design systems.
  2. Configure, maintain, and automate XD software and tooling ecosystem to ensure the team has the resources needed for efficient, high-quality delivery while adhering to enterprise security best practices.
  3. Serve as the XD AI curator, responsible for mapping the design lifecycle to identify friction points and partnering with teams to rollout and implement AI solutions to solve for these opportunities.
  4. Identify opportunities for AI-native integration within the design process, focusing on automating repetitive tasks to free up team capacity for strategic creative work.
  5. Establish AI-driven governance models to audit design systems for compliance and ensure that AI-generated outputs meet Capital One’s quality, experience, and security standards.

Skills

Required

  • At least 5 years of experience in Design Operations or Program Management related to Product Design teams.
  • At least 5 years experience working in a cross-functional environment, ensuring stakeholder expectations are managed effectively
  • At least 5 years of experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with proven ability to adapt to changing priorities, independent problem-solving, and exercising a high degree of autonomy.
  • Deep expertise working with industry standard XD tools (Figma, UserZoom, UserTesting, dScout, CX Insight platforms, design system tools, content design tools, accessibility tools).
  • Familiarity with the latest XD related AI tools and ability to implement them for maximum operational efficiency across the Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC).
  • Experience in "Service Design" for internal teams—viewing the design team itself as the "user" of the tools.

Nice to have

  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Business, Commerce, Engineering, or Science or related fields.
  • Experience of using Lean & Six Sigma tools & methodology.
  • Experience working in regulated environments (Financial industry etc.) with an understanding of legal and compliance workflows.
  • Proven track record of managing a design technology portfolio for mid-sized teams.
  • Experience applying Agile/SAFe methodologies within a product design context.

What the JD emphasized

  • AI integration
  • automation
  • AI solutions
  • AI-native integration
  • AI-driven governance
  • synthetic data strategies
  • AI-native XD design tools
  • AI literacy
  • leverage AI tools