Creative Design Group - Creative Design Operations

Description

This role is a local hire position and not an International Service Program (ISP) assignment; only candidates who are eligible to be hired locally in the job location will be considered.

Work Arrangement
This role is categorized as on-site. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Advanced Technical Center in Shanghai, China full time.

The Role -

This is a people leader role - we welcome both experienced managers and high-potential individual contributors ready for their first leadership opportunity .

GM China's Design Organization is seeking a Design Business Operation Manager who will be responsible for multiple highly complex tasks and lead a team of Design Business Operation. This role manages budgeting and spending, vendor and procurement processes, facilities, safety and IT coordination, governance and compliance, and supports senior design leadership on planning, headcount, and strategic initiatives.

• Own day-to-day operations for the GM China Design
• Coordinate cross-studio activities with Global studios
• Lead annual budget planning and monthly forecasting for GM China Design Operations (OPEX, CAPEX, travel, events, suppliers, models, and equipment).
• Track and report actuals vs. forecast; highlight risks/opportunities and propose mitigation actions.
• Partner with Finance, Purchasing, and Global Design Operations to ensure spending aligns with global guidelines and local policies.
• Manage end-to-end procurement for studio needs: models, digital/fabrication services, immersive tech, UX suppliers, events, and facilities-related items.
• Drive request for information & quotation/scope of work with Purchasing and Finance ; ensure GM confidentiality, compliance, and appropriate approvals
• Monitor supplier performance, timing, and invoicing; resolve issues with internal stakeholders and vendors.
• Act as primary operations interface to Facilities, Security, IT, and Corporate Services for GM China Design.
• Ensure studio infrastructure (VR, photobooth, milling, HMDs, AV/VC, Wacom, printers/plotters, etc.) is maintained, upgraded, and aligned with global standards.
• Support safety, security, and business continuity (visitor management, access, asset tracking, audits, drills, and compliance actions).
• Implement and maintain Global Design Operations standards, policies, and processes within GM China Design.
• Support audits and compliance reviews
• Develop simple, repeatable processes and templates (checklists, workflows, trackers) for reviews, events, and recurring operations.
• Support leadership on headcount planning, hiring coordination, onboarding, and basic workforce analytics for GM China Design Operations.
• Partner with HR and leadership to coordinate engagement activities, all-people meetings, training, and communications.

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Engineering, or Design/business Management (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in operations / business management / program management /Finance ideally in automotive, design, R&D, or technology environments.
• Strong skills in budgeting & forecasting, and data-driven decision making.
• Proven experience coordinating across multiple stakeholders and cultures; comfortable working with senior leaders.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken). Ability to be predictive and proactive in an ever evolving, high-tempo work environment that is dependent on collaboration, decisiveness, and a high degree of innovative thinking
• Exceptional team building, mentoring and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop creative and innovative solutions to complex problems where effects of decisions are critical and have strong influence on future state products
• High level of facilitation skills to drive meetings to accomplish required objectivesy
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent skill, experience or training

• 5 plus years of experience in operation & finance management