Brief description of this position:

The Design Operations Specialist ensures the smooth execution of design processes across all functions. This role supports planning, tools, workflows, and milestones, enabling creative teams to deliver high-quality results efficiently and in line with corporate strategy.

Key tasks:

1.Coordinate cross-functional planning and milestone tracking within design: Support alignment of timing plans, project phases, and deliverables across all design subteams to ensure on-time execution and milestone adherence.

2.Maintain and develop design workflows and process frameworks: Standardize and improve operational procedures, ensuring seamless collaboration between creative, modeling, and engineering teams.

3.Support resource planning and team capacity overviews across projects:Monitor team allocations, identify resource bottlenecks, and help optimize workload distribution across ongoing and upcoming design activities.

4.Assist in budget tracking and investment planning for design operations: Track expenditures, prepare forecasts, and assist in aligning operational budgets with department goals and ongoing projects.

5.Drive the implementation of digital tools, platforms, and systems: Evaluate and deploy collaborative design tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, digital approval platforms) to streamline communication and feedback cycles.

6.Ensure operational compliance with VW processes and data security rules: Monitor adherence to internal regulations, support process audits, and act as a contact point for process compliance across the team.

7.Prepare executive documentation and reporting for design leadership: Support the creation of dashboards, project reports, and presentations to provide transparency and aid decision-making for design leaders.

8.Coordinate meetings, reviews, and design team routines efficiently: Organize and structure recurring events such as team weeklies, project reviews, and workshops, including logistics and content preparation.

9.Support onboarding and training for tools, processes, and new roles:F acilitate knowledge transfer and structured onboarding for new team members, ensuring alignment with tools, methods, and department routines.

10.Act as a link between Design, HR, Finance, and IT departments: Collaborate with internal support teams to maintain infrastructure, recruit new roles, handle access and tools, and secure smooth team operations.

Qualification and skills required for the position:

1.Degree in Design, Design Management, Business, or a related field.

2.Additonal boost: Understanding of automotive or creative design workflows and milestone planning (e.g. PEP). Intern experience in project coordination or operations in cross-functional teams. Fammiliar with collaboration tools (e.g. Jira, Confluence, Figma). Basic skills in resource planning and budget tracking.

3.Strong organizational and communication abilities.

4.Fluent in English and Mandarin, German is a plus.