Episode Summary
Chris Varela didn’t find creative ops. It found him—twice.
The first time, he realized the work he was already doing had a name: solving friction between marketing and creative, protecting his teammates’ time, and building systems that made the entire process more efficient, more effective—and frankly, more fun for everyone involved.
The second time, his company realized it too. After years of Chris operating without a title—quietly translating between functions and elevating how work flowed—Workday came to the conclusion that this wasn’t just helpful. It was a role. A needed one.
In this episode, Chris and Nish explore how creative ops functions often start unofficially—through the instincts, empathy, and persistence of people like Chris. They also dig into how titles unlock collaboration, how AI is helping scale creative ops work, and how others can navigate that same journey of recognition.
This episode is a guide for anyone who suspects they’re doing something important—but unrecognized. And for anyone who wants to help their org see the work more clearly.
Key Takeaways
- You might be doing creative ops already—whether or not your org (or you) knows it yet.
- Often, people recognize the impact before they recognize the role.
- Operating between marketing and creative is messy—but that’s where value is created.
- Getting a title doesn’t change the work. But it does change who asks for your help.
- Chris’s story is a blueprint for turning invisible influence into visible leadership.
Sometimes the first step in creative ops is helping your org recognize the role—by showing the impact you’ve already made.
From Listening to Thinking: Is It Time to Name the Role You’re Already In?
Use these prompts to reflect solo—or open up space with your team:
- Are you doing creative ops work—but calling it something else?
- If your org had to describe your value in one sentence, would they get it right?
- What’s one system or workflow you’ve shaped—even if unofficially?
- Who could benefit if your work was more visible, more named, more understood?
- How could your story help others name their own role—or help your org see what’s missing?
Guest: Chris Varela, PMP | Manager, Marketing and Creative Operations at Workday
Chris Varela didn’t set out to lead creative ops—he just kept solving the right problems. First, he realized he was already doing the work. Then, over time, his organization came to the same conclusion.
In this episode, he joins Nish to unpack the hidden path into creative operations—and what it looks like to help your company understand the role only after you’ve already been living it.
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Links & Resources
Chris Varela on
LinkedIn What is CreativeOps Podcast?
The Creative Ops Podcast, hosted by a respected leader in the industry since 2014, Nish Patel, explores the ever-changing world of creative operations. Each week, immerse yourself in candid, enlightening, and curiosity-driven conversations with creative operations leaders as they share stories of challenges, solutions, and insights on both prevailing and emerging topics.
Central to these conversations are the foundational pillars of Creative Ops: People, Process, and Tech and the disruption and opportunity of AI (artificial intelligence) on individuals, organizations and the entire industry.
Whether you're tuning in for an insightful interview with an industry leader or Nish's conversation-provoking perspective on key issues, the CreativeOps Podcast is the essential water cooler for the creative ops community.
Listen in to navigate your challenges differently, ask the questions that allow you to discover new possibilities and equip yourself with invaluable insights to unleash your potential and flourish in the dynamic world of creative operations.