Design Managers guide creative teams and shape products, services, and brand experiences. They connect design strategy with business goals, mentor designers, and collaborate with partners across product, engineering, marketing, and research. Explore vetted Design Manager opportunities paying $100,000 or more on Ladders.
Responsibilities vary by organization and specialty. Design Managers may set team priorities, oversee design systems and workflows, provide feedback on concepts, and ensure that work meets customer needs and quality standards. They also hire and develop talent, advocate for design in leadership discussions, and help teams deliver consistent results.
Roles may focus on product design, user experience (UX), user interface (UI), visual design, brand, or service design. Some managers lead a multidisciplinary team, while others concentrate on a particular product area or customer journey. Review each job description to understand the team's scope, reporting structure, and expectations.
Employers often seek people leadership, clear communication, strategic thinking, and a strong grasp of design principles and user-centered methods. Depending on the role, experience with prototyping, research, design systems, accessibility, and collaboration tools may be valuable. Familiarity with product development and the ability to connect design decisions to measurable outcomes can also help.
Compare opportunities by specialty, industry, location, work arrangement, and team scope. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs with salaries of $100,000 or more, helping experienced design leaders discover roles aligned with their skills and career goals. Explore current Design Manager openings and identify the opportunity that fits your next step.
$95K - $115K *
Lead the charge in managing medium to large-scale software and system initiatives. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure timely delivery, adherence to budget, and compliance with data privacy and s...
1 week ago
Design Director - Google Store
$173K - $200K *
Join a team that's redefining digital design excellence. Lead hands-on visual craft while mentoring talent and driving innovative web experiences within robust design systems. Collaborate closely with...
Yesterday
$149K - $171K *
Transform your career by leading design initiatives across diverse building projects. As a key Design Manager, you'll drive client engagement, oversee technical documentation, and ensure quality deliv...
1 month ago
Senior Director, Project Management Centre of Excellence
$160K - $190K *
Lead the evolution of a Project Management Centre of Excellence, establishing standards and governance to enhance clinical project delivery. Drive capability building and influence stakeholders across...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Optimize project execution by managing complex capital equipment initiatives, ensuring cost control, quality, and timely delivery while enhancing customer satisfaction and leading cross-functional tea...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive project success by managing bridge and transportation design initiatives, mentoring teams, and fostering client relationships to enhance strategic growth in the Nebraska Division...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Transform bridge and transportation projects by leading design and management efforts. Oversee project teams, mentor junior staff, and drive strategic growth initiatives while ensuring client satisfac...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of bridge and transportation projects by leading design initiatives, managing teams, and mentoring junior staff while driving strategic growth in our Nebraska Division...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Manage bridge and transportation projects, leading teams and mentoring staff. Drive strategic growth initiatives while ensuring project scope, budget, and schedule adherence. Foster client relationshi...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Lead project oversight and financial management, ensuring successful execution within scope, budget, and timeline. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive compliance, enhance customer experience, and a...
Today
$80K - $95K *
Lead project delivery by managing schedules, budgets, and customer relations. Ensure compliance with specifications while driving resolutions to keep projects on track. Collaborate across departments...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Elevate project success by managing diverse portfolios, ensuring design accuracy, and coordinating production and delivery. Collaborate with teams to enhance quality and customer satisfaction while na...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $100K *
Join a team that's redefining retail design by managing innovative studio projects. Oversee design development, coordinate with partners, and ensure excellence across multiple locations while balancin...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Join a dynamic team to create compelling motion designs that elevate brand storytelling across various platforms. Leverage your expertise in animation and design to deliver innovative solutions while...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $130K *
Drive project success by managing complex proposals, coordinating teams, and ensuring timely delivery within budget. Collaborate with stakeholders and provide technical guidance to achieve project goa...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $105K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of healthcare and large-scale projects. Lead design phases, manage client interactions, and ensure project success through strong organizational and communication...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$175K - $208K *
Unlock the potential of transformative transit projects as you lead diverse teams, manage project delivery, and ensure high-quality standards while engaging with clients in a dynamic design-build envi...
Reposted 1 week ago
$175K - $208K *
Lead and inspire a dynamic design-build team in rail infrastructure projects. Drive project objectives, ensure collaboration, manage schedules and budgets, while maintaining quality assurance and clie...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Lead the charge in shaping intuitive AI-native enterprise products. As a senior designer, you'll tackle complex design challenges, collaborate closely with engineering, and elevate the craft of design...
3 weeks ago
$105K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional architectural projects. Oversee project financial performance, manage teams, and ensure effective communication from inception to completion whil...
2 weeks ago
$146K - $183K *
Drive transformative consulting solutions by leading a dynamic team, enhancing customer engagement, and shaping strategic delivery methods to maximize value and impact across diverse projects...
1 week ago
$146K - $183K *
Empower a high-performing team to drive consulting delivery, enhance customer engagement, and shape strategic initiatives. Leverage your leadership skills to inspire innovation and optimize processes...
1 week ago
$110K - $166K *
Join a team that's driving efficiency in mid-sized capital projects. You will manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets while ensuring technical support, safety, and stakeholder communication for...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Unlock your potential by leading the design vision for a transformative digital guest experience. Drive innovation and measurable outcomes while shaping how millions engage with their favorite restaur...
6 days ago
$126K - $140K *
Join a team that's redefining production planning by leading the master schedule for a complex manufacturing operation. Drive continuous improvement and ensure reliable customer deliveries while balan...
6 days ago
What does a Design Manager do?
A Design Manager leads designers and helps set design direction, priorities, and quality standards. The role often includes coaching and hiring, reviewing work, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and aligning design decisions with customer and business needs.
What types of Design Manager jobs are available?
Openings may include product design, UX, UI, visual, brand, or service design management. Some roles lead a broad design function; others focus on a product, team, or specific area of the customer experience.
What qualifications are commonly required for Design Manager roles?
Employers commonly look for relevant design experience, a portfolio or record of shipped work, and experience leading or mentoring people. Requirements vary, but may include expertise in a design specialty, cross-functional collaboration, and familiarity with design systems and user research.
How much do Design Managers earn?
Compensation varies by employer, location, industry, experience, and scope of responsibility. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying Design Manager opportunities.
How can I find Design Manager jobs on Ladders?
Browse Design Manager openings on Ladders and compare roles by specialty, location, work arrangement, and responsibilities. Review qualifications and compensation details in each listing to find a strong fit.