Lucy N.

From Design to Design Ops

After a long career as a graphic designer, I transitioned into experience strategy. While working at a consulting firm, I discovered my passion for tackling complex problems and creating order out of chaos. This realization led me to move into operations, where I address various challenges on a daily basis. Although I have never held an official role in operations, my experience encompasses many of the necessary skills. I am grateful that Procore recognized the value of my diverse skill set! I enjoy improving the work lives of our designers by reducing friction, streamlining processes, and supporting their learning and growth.

Making the work lives of our designers better!

Design Operations covers a wide range of areas, with our primary focus being the product design team. We oversee aspects such as tooling, onboarding, systems and processes, culture, and learning and development. This includes tasks like standardizing Jira, providing Figma training, organizing our All Hands meetings, and creating opportunities for connection among our designers. We also collaborate across functions with our partners in Product and Engineering to ensure that our teams work in harmony, removing any obstacles that may affect product releases. Additionally, we team up with other departments to provide learning and growth opportunities for the design organization and implement asynchronous activities to keep our global team engaged and connected.

Helping others get their jobs done

I enjoy helping others, and my role in operations allows me to do that every day. Our designers are focused on building our product, which ultimately benefits our customers. They often don't have the time to deal with tasks like setting up Jira, upgrading software, or categorizing their research work. The operations team takes care of these responsibilities and more, providing guidance on all the non-design aspects. This support frees up designers to concentrate on the critical work necessary to deliver for our customers, which is our main goal!

Your story is your brand

Although I don't have a formal background in operations, I have applied many relevant skills in my previous roles that involved operations-related tasks. I ensured that my resume and the narrative I present reflect this experience. In fact, my diverse experiences across various industries contribute positively to my qualifications for this position. Everything I learn here will aid in my personal growth and enhance my professional story. Don't underestimate yourself if you don't match a title or a job description!

Improving our global hiring process

In 2024, Procore significantly increased global hiring. The design team had always been based in the US, so there was a lot to learn as we began the hiring process overseas. Collaborating with the Talent Acquisition (TA) team, we developed new processes for both candidates and hiring managers to streamline the hiring process and enhance its effectiveness. While we acknowledge that we are not perfect, we are committed to continuous improvement and are excited about the progress we have made.