Team Operations Lead, Chicago

Description and Requirements Job Description Who You'll Work With At Slalom, personal connection meets global scale. Our vision is to enable a world in which everyone loves their work and life. We help organizations of all kinds redefine what's possible, give shape to the future—and get there. Slalom is seeking a top-notch Team Operations Lead to join our Office Operations Team in our Chicago office. We are looking for an individual who exudes adaptability, foresight, creativity, and a passion for delivering exceptional customer service. This individual will have a demonstrated commitment to excellence, collaboration, attention to detail, creative problem solving, and big-picture thinking. Our ideal candidate will be resourceful, tech-savvy, and have outstanding relationship-building and interpersonal communication skills. Job Summary The Team Operations Lead serves as a strategic operational partner responsible for delivering high-quality work that supports broader Market, office, and program objectives. This role develops and executes operational strategies, drives process improvements, and enables others to deliver exceptional results through coaching, mentorship, and leadership. This position is responsible for leading and developing a team of two direct reports: a Team Operations Specialist and a Team Operations Senior Specialist. The Team Operations Lead provides day-to-day guidance, performance management, professional development, workload prioritization, and career coaching while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture. In-Office Expectations This is a primarily in-person role, with the expectation that you are onsite during core business hours 5 days per week. While some flexibility may be available, you must be proactive and responsive to onsite needs, with the ability to arrive early, stay late, or adjust hours as required to support events, office operations, vendor coordination, catering, and other in-person logistics. Demonstrates a high level of reliability and accountability in maintaining a consistent and visible presence in the office. Acts as a key onsite point of contact, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for employees, guests, and vendors. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop a Team Operations Specialist and Team Operations Senior Specialist, providing ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and career development support. Manage team priorities, workload distribution, and resource planning to ensure operational excellence across all office and Market initiatives. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional service. Demonstrate values-based leadership and actively mentor, coach, and develop team members. Support succession planning and skill development within the Team Operations function. Market Operations & Strategic Support Support the creation and execution of the strategy and vision for all Market programs, including recognition, connection and people experience initiatives, internal, community, and client events, onboarding, and communications. Partner closely with the Chief of Staff, Business Operations, and other program managers within the Market, Region, and Capabilities. Support the execution of the Chicago Market Leader's vision and priorities. Adapt and implement office-level processes and initiatives from Global Services and Executive Programs teams, as applicable. Deliver complex work to meet functional or program objectives while driving efficiencies and process improvements. Plan, oversee, document, and educate stakeholders on projects being managed; facilitate after-action reviews to support continuous improvement. Support special projects and strategic initiatives as business needs arise. Build relationships with operations teams across Slalom to foster communication, share best practices, and drive consistency. Office Operations & Facilities Serve as one of the Market's Purchasing Super Users by utilizing a company credit card for office and event-related purchases, reconciling expenses monthly, maintaining budget trackers, and processing requisitions and invoices through Oracle. Serve as the building liaison and oversee office operations, facilities management, conference rooms, and workplace experience. Ensure office spaces remain functional, welcoming, and aligned with Slalom's culture and brand standards. Manage vendor relationships and coordinate office-related services and maintenance. Event and Meeting Support Oversee and support internal office meetings and events, including presentation coordination, scheduling, room preparation, catering, supplies, setup, and teardown. Lead planning and execution of external and large-scale Market events, including venue sourcing, contract management, food and beverage coordination, communications, swag, collateral, registration, and audiovisual support. Partner with Marketing to execute client-facing marketing events and campaigns. Collaborate with Community Groups and programs to create impactful experiences that promote engagement and culture. Maintain office events and meetings calendars. Employee Experience & Culture Lead the execution of Market recognition programs, including birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, life events, and gifting initiatives outlined in Slalom's Guide to Life. Manage awards and recognition programs, including nomination processes, selection coordination, and gifting. Champion employee experience initiatives that strengthen engagement, belonging, and culture. New Hire Onboarding Coordinate with Talent Acquisition, People Leaders, IT, and Welcome Program teams to support new hires. Support New Hire Orientation through scheduling, presentation updates, facilitation, and logistics as applicable. Ensure new hires are connected to required systems, events, and distribution lists. Coordinate preparation and shipment of welcome kits. Organize and facilitate office tours and onboarding experiences. Communications Manage Market communication channels and collaboration tools, including Teams, SharePoint, Slack, Calendars, and Viva Engage. Manage Microsoft Teams and Viva Engage platforms. Maintain the Office 101 SharePoint page. Create, maintain, and manage distribution lists. Support development and publication of Market newsletters and communications. Special Projects Support strategic initiatives, special events, and ad hoc projects across the Office, Market, Capabilities teams, People Business Partners, and Global Services functions. What You'll Bring Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required. 7+ years of office operations, workplace experience, event management, business operations, or related experience. Prior people leadership experience, including direct management, coaching, mentoring, and performance development. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Professional communicator with exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) andZoom. Experience managing budgets, vendors, contracts, and operational processes. Reliable transportation to and from the office and event locations as needed. Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds. Competencies Effectiveleaderwho develops others and builds high-performing teams. Productive in both independent and collaborative environments. Exhibits an authentic, positive spirit and is approachable, hospitable, and enjoys interacting with people. Operates resourcefully and uses critical thinking skills; anticipates needs and proactively addresses challenges. Maintains accuracy and attention to detail while managing multiple priorities. Acts with urgency while maintaining quality and professional composure. Demonstrates ownership and a willingness to support all aspects of office and Market operations. Balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Compensation and Benefits Slalom prides itself on helping team members thrive in their work and life. As a result, Slalom is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful time off and paid holidays, parental leave, 401(k) with a match, a range of choices for highly subsidized health, dental, & vision coverage, adoption and fertility assistance, and short/long-term disability. We also offer yearly $350 reimbursement account for any well-being-related expenses, as well as discounted home, auto, and pet insurance. Slalom is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. For this position, the targeted base salary pay range is $75,000 - $90,000. In addition, individuals may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Actual compensation will depend upon an individual's skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other relevant factors. The salary pay range is subject to change and may be modified at any time. EEO and Accommodations Slalom is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans' status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Slalom will also consider qualified applications with criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Slalom welcomes and encourages applications from individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates during all aspects of the selection process. Please advise the talent acquisition team if you require accommodations during the interview process.