Design Operations leader with 10+ years in program management. Skilled experience designer with expertise in scaling teams, fostering collaboration, and creating processes for highly complex projects and organizations. Amplifier of strategic outcomes for end-users and internal staff. Adept in empathetic and compassionate leadership, relationship-building, and psychological safety.
SKILLS
Jira ᐧ Confluence ᐧ Figma ᐧ G Suite ᐧ Office ᐧ Miro ᐧ LucidSpark ᐧ Greenhouse ᐧ AI Tools ᐧ Aha! ᐧ User Voice ᐧ User Testing ᐧ Trello ᐧ BrandFolder ᐧ TeamSite ᐧ SharePoint ᐧ WordPress ᐧ Slack
People Management ᐧ Program Management ᐧ Strategy ᐧ Consensus Building ᐧ Staffing ᐧ Product Design Process ᐧ Change Management ᐧ Culture Evolution ᐧ Team Harmony ᐧ Chaos to Clarity ᐧ Goal Setting ᐧ Digital Transformation ᐧ Cross-Functional Alignment ᐧ Conflict Resolution
EXPERIENCE
MongoDB
Director of Design Operations
August 2021 – October 2024
- Directed a team of 20 in ProductOps, DesignOps, ResearchOps, and Program Management with engagement scores 20-30% over company average
- Scaled the product design, design systems, UX research, and brand design team from ~20 to ~70 based on data-driven business need
- Structured and executed yearly operational strategies that accelerated project launches by 30-60% through clear alignment and low-stress processes
- Initiated the R&D Program Management internship program, scaling from 1 to 9 interns, achieving an 80% return rate after graduation
- Led multi-team initiatives through ambiguity, including team reorgs
- Managed a multimillion-dollar budget, ensuring optimized spending aligned with growth and hiring strategies
- Planned and facilitated team events with 92% favorable feedback
- Mentored Product and Design managers, elevating their ability to set boundaries, inspire teams, and improve engagement
- Received the Ally Award from the “Queeries” LGBTQIA+ employee resource group
MongoDB
Design Operations Lead (Manager)
December 2019 – August 2021
- Built a team of 12 program managers to support Product, Design, Research, Engineering, and Marketing, increasing partner team maturity and efficiency
- Led the end-to-end planning, execution, and budgeting of programs to deliver product success
- Partnered with Design leadership and cross-functional leaders to drive delivery of quarterly and annual roadmap objectives
- Developed and implemented fair hiring practices, achieving a 98% positive candidate experience
- Designed career progression frameworks for all levels, from Intern to VP, improving team growth and perception of opportunity by 31%
- Directed initiatives like Information Architecture and Navigation Redesign, Product Feedback Tool Procurement, and Platform Migration while enhancing UX quality across product areas
- Engaged with interdisciplinary teams to brainstorm, define goals, and develop cohesive strategies that achieved user and business objectives
- Influenced and guided stakeholders to ensure project outcomes met creative, user, and business needs, fostering a unified approach
MongoDB
Design Program Manager
March 2019 – December 2019
- Founded Design Operations practice, increasing designer efficiency by 25% and enhancing cross-functional alignment
- Led strategic, data-driven projects aligned with organizational priorities
- Coached Design and Product leaders to clarify objectives, leverage available resources, and build ownership, boosting team accountability and confidence
- Facilitated cross-team decision-making, enhancing team cohesion and project quality
- Enhanced workflow and relationship management by removing process roadblocks, documenting requirements between design, product, and engineering, and fostering trust-based relationships
- Identified and addressed workflow gaps, leading to streamlined operations and continuous improvements across product design, research, and brand operations
- Optimized interaction models between Product, Engineering, Design, Creative, and Marketing, influencing cross-functionally to identify opportunities, unlock productivity, and accelerate execution
Kaiser Permanente
Sr. Design Program Manager / Change Management
January 2016 – July 2018
- Directed UX and Design projects for the Organizational Change group, guiding teams in delivering user-focused products and services
- Led key projects, including acquisition-related digital integration and care pathway improvements, with budgets ranging from $40K to $25M
- Partnered with internal strategists to create communications that aligned stakeholders and minimized resistance to change
- Improved readiness across teams through change management programs, boosting productivity and stakeholder satisfaction
Kaiser Permanente
Product Manager, Mobile UX
August 2014 – January 2016
- Led mobile UX strategy for KP channels that emphasized accessibility, significantly enhancing the user experience across KP’s mobile platforms
- Executed a comprehensive mobile roadmap guided by consumer insights, driving new and improved mobile functionalities
- Partnered closely with IT, UX, analytics, clinical, and business teams to identify and implement features
- Provided organizational groups with strategic consultation on mobile initiatives, advocating for alignment with KP’s broader goals
- Evangelized the mobile vision to stakeholders at all levels, ensuring alignment with KP’s strategic imperatives
- Led special initiatives in cutting-edge ambulatory design
Kaiser Permanente
User Experience Lead
September 2011 – August 2014
- Led UX for award-winning web and mobile platforms, focused on diverse users
- Managed key digital health experiences, enhancing features like health transactions, public health content, and access tools
- Aligned creative direction with user goals, business needs, and technical requirements, resulting in cohesive, impactful user experiences
- Directed Agile projects from initial intake through design, user testing, and production, ensuring timely and effective launches
- Managed WCAG and ADA compliance, advocating for accessible design standards across digital properties
- Built cohesive, productive teams with a positive team culture, increasing productivity and job satisfaction by ~20% in 6 months
- Selected as an Internal Communications Coach to support colleagues with communication and presentation skills
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
GUESS? Inc.
E-Commerce Content Manager
August 2008 – August 2010
GUESS? Inc.
E-commerce Merchandiser
January 2009 – March 2009
Hyrian
Sr. Creative Services Associate
February 2006 – August 2008
Mortgage Originator Magazine
Associate Editor
December 2003 – August 2006
Reverse Mortgages for Dummies
Author
August 2004 – February 2005
Hanley Wood
Copywriter
August 2002 – December 2003
EDUCATION
University of Arizona, Tucson
Bachelor’s Degree, English Language and Literature
CERTIFICATION
California State University, Fullerton
Human-Centered Design
VOLUNTEER
Mill Creek Pride
Board consultant, specializing in consensus-building and design implementation
Puget Sound GNC Community
Facilitate monthly meet-ups for gender-expansive youth and adults to foster community in a safe, welcoming space
Long Beach Breastfeeds
In-home post-natal parent coach/mentor offering guidance on daily care, breastfeeding, and general health for underserved caregivers
Reading Partners
Elementary reading tutor, providing 1:1 support for 2nd-4th grade students using data-driven literacy curriculum
Sarah Kasch 