Principal, Design Operations

Expedia Group brands power global travel for everyone, everywhere. We design cutting-edge tech to make travel smoother and more memorable, and we create groundbreaking solutions for our partners. Our diverse, vibrant, and welcoming community is essential in driving our success.

Why Join Us?

To shape the future of travel, people must come first. Guided by our Values and Leadership Agreements, we foster an open culture where everyone belongs, differences are celebrated and know that when one of us wins, we all win.

We provide a full benefits package, including exciting travel perks, generous time-off, parental leave, a flexible work model (with some pretty cool offices), and career development resources, all to fuel our employees' passion for travel and ensure a rewarding career journey. We’re building a more open world. Join us.

Introduction to the Team

Experience Design Operations supports Expedia Group’s global design organization across product design, research, and content. We build the structures and practices that enable teams to work with clarity, efficiency, and creative confidence. Our goal is to make design predictable, scalable, and deeply integrated into product development.

As Principal, Design Operations, you will lead operational programs and systems within and across a core pillar of the design organization. You will partner closely with design, product, and engineering leads to improve how work is planned, reviewed, and delivered. You will help create a healthy, sustainable delivery culture that supports great design at scale.

In this role you will focus on;

• Operational Strategy and Systems: Build and evolve the operational frameworks that connect design strategy to delivery. Establish clear processes, workflows, and rituals across your pillar to improve predictability and quality.

• Program and Delivery Leadership: Lead complex, multi-team programs, ensuring design work is scoped, aligned, reviewed, and delivered on time. Maintain visibility into progress, risks, and dependencies across teams.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Partner closely with product management, technical program management, and engineering to align planning and execution. Strengthen communication and decision-making across disciplines to keep teams moving with clarity.

• Review and Workflow Cadence: Facilitate the full review pathway from early squad reviews to leadership touchpoints. Coordinate critique schedules and alignment moments to maintain momentum and consistent quality.

• Execution Culture: Identify friction points and streamline how teams plan, collaborate, and deliver. Promote a balanced, sustainable delivery culture that supports both creativity and accountability.

• Organizational Support: Support design leadership with prioritization, staffing visibility, and operational readiness. Help maintain communication practices that keep teams informed and connected.

Qualifications and Experience;

• 10+ years of experience in design operations, program management, or cross-functional delivery supporting design or product teams.

• Strong understanding of design workflows, tools, and review processes in digital product environments.

• Proven ability to lead complex programs and introduce operational systems that improve delivery.

• Experience collaborating with product and engineering leaders in matrixed organizations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Business, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting global or multi-brand product organizations.

• Familiarity with design systems, content operations, or research operations.

• Background in tooling, vendor management, or operational budgeting.

• Experience leading change or driving process improvements across large teams.

Who You Are

• A systems thinker who brings clarity to complex environments.

• A collaborative operator who builds strong relationships across disciplines.

• A steady, organized communicator who helps teams stay aligned and focused.

• A champion of craft, culture, and operational excellence within design.

The total cash range for this position in Seattle is $231,000.00 to $323,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $369,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role.

The total cash range for this position in New York is $249,000.00 to $348,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $398,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role. The total cash range for this position in Virtual is $231,000.00 to $323,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $369,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role. The total cash range for this position in Virtual is $231,000.00 to $323,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $369,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role. The total cash range for this position in San Francisco is $249,000.00 to $348,500.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $398,500.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role. The total cash range for this position in Virtual is $214,500.00 to $300,000.00. Employees in this role have the potential to increase their pay up to $343,000.00, which is the top of the range, based on ongoing, demonstrated, and sustained performance in the role.

Starting pay for this role will vary based on multiple factors, including location, available budget, and an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience. Pay ranges may be modified in the future.

Expedia Group is proud to offer a wide range of benefits to support employees and their families, including medical/dental/vision, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program. To fuel each employee’s passion for travel, we offer a wellness & travel reimbursement, travel discounts, and an International Airlines Travel Agent (IATAN) membership. View our full list of benefits .

Accommodation requests

If you need assistance with any part of the application or recruiting process due to a disability, or other physical or mental health conditions, please reach out to our Recruiting Accommodations Team through the Accommodation Request .

We are proud to be named as a Best Place to Work on Glassdoor in 2024 and be recognized for award-winning culture by organizations like Forbes, TIME, Disability:IN, and others.

Expedia Group's family of brands includes: Brand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™. © 2024 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50

Employment opportunities and job offers at Expedia Group will always come from Expedia Group’s Talent Acquisition and hiring teams. Never provide sensitive, personal information to someone unless you’re confident who the recipient is. Expedia Group does not extend job offers via email or any other messaging tools to individuals with whom we have not made prior contact. Our email domain is @expediagroup.com. The official website to find and apply for job openings at Expedia Group is careers.expediagroup.com/jobs .

Expedia is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.