Manager, Photography Operations

Job description

About the Role The Manager, Photo Operations plays a key role within the Old Navy Online Operations team, overseeing daily in-season production of high-volume product photography and driving the execution of on-figure photography workflows. With a strategic mindset and operational rigor, this role ensures product photography is delivered on time, with quality and consistency across eCommerce platforms. The Manager collaborates crossfunctionally to align photo pipeline execution with evolving business priorities, troubleshoots workflow challenges, and drives process improvements to scale efficiency and customer impact. The Manager translates business priorities from Merchandising, Marketing, and Online Experience into actionable photography plans—serving as a key decision-maker in pacing, sequencing, and troubleshooting to ensure shoot readiness aligns with strategic initiatives and financial goals What You'll Do PHOTOGRAPHY PIPELINE COORDINATION Owns day - to - day operations of the Product Photography On - Figure ( PPOF ) photo pipeline, ensuring product prioritization, set pace, and shot execution meet brand and business needs. Leads planning and scheduling of on-figure sets, partnering with Production, Creative, and Merchandising to align talent, timing, and readiness. Works closely with the Production team to book sets based on creative direction and product readiness. Manages the organization and prioritization of product for the Product Photography On Figure (PPOF). Oversees all reshoots, ensuring timely resolution and alignment with brand standards. Submits DA Fix forms for and images stuck in the pipeline to ensure prioritization and escalation where needed. Acts as the photo strategy point person for PPOF sets, partnering with cross - functional leads to determine the correct shots based on strategy. Maintains and updates the Shot Strategy Guide to reflect current brand direction, retiring outdated or irrelevant strategies as needed. Escalates blockers, updates set status and drives transparency with key stakeholders through regular check - ins and tracking. Provides critical input to Studio Leadership on production pacing and capacity planning, directly influencing budget allocation and resource utilization. Advises Sr. Manager and Studio Director on how production tempo and set volume correlate to cost efficiency and throughput. Partners with senior leaders to make data - informed recommendations onn productivity targets and seasonal readiness. CROSS - FUNCTIONAL SUPPORT Acts as the main liaison between Photo Operations and key partners including Online Experience, Merchandising, Catalog Operations, and Post Production. Leads operational alignment across teams to ensure photo and video assets are prioritized, routed, and delivered to meet channel - specific deadlines. Collaborates with the Post Production team to ensure assets are delivered on time and meet brand and quality standards. Supports the alignment of in - season priorities with the needs of Creative, Studio, and Marketing stakeholders. Coordinates tool usage and data flow for photography tracking systems (e.g., Creative Force, Airtable, FileMaker Pro). Functions as an influencer and translator across multiple leadership levels — regularly engaging with Directors across Marketing, Studio Operations, and Program Management to align shot intent, budget pacing, and business priorities. Provides informed counsel on what can be achieved within given timeframes and resource parameters, often helping leadership recalibrate expectations based on real - time studio data. REPORTING & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT G athers and maintains reporting metrics related to sample tracking, production timelines, and delivery status. I dentifies operational pain points and proposes solutions for process optimization in partnership with Senior Manager. Assists with seasonal planning and contributes to continuous improvement of photography workflows. TEAM SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT Trains Sample Coordinators on standard operating procedures and the end - to - end photography product pipeline. Partners with Sample Coordinators to order missing or incorrect samples and ensure timely delivery to the studio. E xercises leadership through expertise, mentorship, and process ownership — including onboarding, peer coaching, pipeline processes, and ensuring operational consistency across PPOF workflows. Who You Are Deep understanding of retail photo production, on - figure photography, and eCommerce asset workflows. P roficient in studio operations tools like Creative Force, Airtable, and FileMaker. Strong communicator, detail - oriented problem solver, and highly collaborative team player. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in high - volume production environments. Strong leadership presence and cross - functional communication skills, with proven ability to advise and influence Director - level partners across Marketing, Studio Operations, and Online Experience. Operates with accountability, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset Minimum Educational Level: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience. Minimum Experience: 4+ years in photo production, project coordination, or eCommerce operations Demonstrated experience managing on - figure or studio photography pipelines Experience working with creative, marketing, or studio teams in retail or eCommerce environment