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Darrin, VP Operations at RWS Group: Advize Career Interview
A career path unexpectedly shaped by a project management role in financial services led to operations leadership in the dynamic language services industry.
The VP of Operations at RWS Group shares insights into a multifaceted role demanding continuous learning, adaptability, and collaboration within a large, international corporation.
A typical day involves extensive communication, team development, and problem-solving, navigating global economic challenges and embracing technological advancements.
The most rewarding aspects include mentoring and witnessing team success in a constantly evolving field, highlighting the importance of embracing change and learning from failures.
Entry-level positions abound, offering opportunities in project management, account management, technology, and translation, depending on individual skills.
Extracurricular activities, as much as formal education, prepared the VP for a career requiring negotiation, compromise, and navigating the complexities of the corporate world.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Darrin Lee
VP Operations
RWS Group
Arizona State University
n/a
Humanities, Political Science, American Studies
Professional Services
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
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Career Path Of A Vice President Of Operations At RWS Group
Darrin's career path deviated from their initial architecture and construction management studies, leading to a project management role in financial services; this unexpectedly became the foundation for a long career in a related industry. The experience with a financial printing company, through acquisitions and spin-offs, transitioned into language services operations leadership, culminating in Darrin's current VP of Operations role at RWS Group, where they lead the regulated industries division, working with "companies that have translation or translation technology needs in any industry that's heavily regulated by government."
Main Responsibilities of a VP Operations at RWS Group
Darrin's main responsibilities as VP of Operations at RWS Group include leading the operations organization, ensuring client service excellence and team support, and driving structured growth. This involves collaborating with the sales group to expand the division while maintaining profitability, a dual focus on "growth and the sustainability of growth so that it remains profitable," along with direct P&L responsibility.
A Day in the Life of a Vice President Operations at RWS Group
A VP of Operations at RWS Group spends "six hours out of every day" in internal and external calls, coordinating with supply chain, direct reports, and sales teams. The remaining time is dedicated to team development, addressing team needs, and approximately an hour of "firefighting," highlighting the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the role.
Most Important Skills For A VP Operations At RWS Group
Darrin, a VP of Operations, emphasizes continuous learning and adaptability as crucial skills, stating the need to "continuously grow" and avoid stagnation. The ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts and work collaboratively, "compromising and negotiating" effectively within a large, international corporation, is equally vital to success in this leadership role.
Favorite Parts of Being a VP Operations at RWS Group
Darrin, RWS Group's VP of Operations, finds the most fulfilling aspects of the role to be "working with good people" and fostering their growth; this is a key motivator, as is seeing the team's success and exploring "growth opportunities, trying new things". The collaborative environment and mentorship opportunities, along with witnessing the team's collective achievements, are central to Darrin's continued engagement and career satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a VP Operations at RWS Group
Darrin's biggest challenge as VP of Operations at RWS Group is navigating the impact of "global economic conditions" on client spending, which in turn affects revenue, profitability, and staffing decisions, forcing reactive or proactive headcount adjustments. A secondary, though less impactful, challenge involves "negotiating and compromise within a big organization" to align competing priorities.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Language Services Industry as a VP Operations
Darrin, VP of Operations at RWS Group, appreciates the "ever-changing" nature of the language services industry, noting its importance in connecting businesses with customers globally and the technological advancements within it. The industry's evolution, coupled with their fortuitous entry around 2007, has provided a dynamic and rewarding career path, marked by working with diverse cultures and experiencing "no two days alike."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Language Services Industry, According To A VP Operations At RWS Group
Darrin, a VP of Operations at RWS Group, identifies individuals who thrive in the language services industry as "constantly learning," embracing "all aspects of how language connects us all," and readily adopting new technologies like AI. Success, according to Darrin, hinges on a willingness to "move on to the next technology," integrate advancements to benefit clients, and view technological change as a platform for growth.
What A VP Operations At RWS Group Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Business Industry
Darrin wishes someone had better prepared them for "the corporate world," emphasizing the importance of embracing change and working collaboratively to adapt to "tomorrow's reality." This realization, gained over time, highlights a crucial aspect of career development: adaptability to constant change is paramount, and confidence alone isn't sufficient for navigating this.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Project Managers and Engineers
Darrin, VP of Operations at RWS Group, highlighted entry-level roles such as "general project management," "account management" (a sales role), and technology-focused localization or engineering positions. The VP also mentioned that multilingual individuals could explore translation work, showcasing diverse entry points into the field based on individual skills and interests.
Significant Career Lesson From a VP Operations at RWS Group
Darrin, VP of Operations at RWS Group, emphasizes the crucial lesson of not taking work setbacks personally, advising that "it's a job," and focusing on problem-solving and implementing corrective actions ("CAPA process") rather than dwelling on mistakes; this approach, learned from a past filing error, has enabled continued career progression and highlights the importance of learning from failures, as "you learn more from your failures than you do from your successes."
College Experiences That Helped A Vice President Operations At RWS Group Succeed
Darrin's undergraduate experience provided valuable "life lessons" in time management and overcoming challenges, rather than directly applicable coursework. The most significant preparation for their current VP Operations role at RWS Group came from extracurricular involvement, developing adaptability and teamwork skills through "working with a lot of different types of people" in student government and clubs.
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