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.
Implementation Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Drive the successful delivery of multiple implementation projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer expectations while managing cross-functional teams and resources effectively thro...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Lead and support construction teams on major transportation projects, ensuring adherence to contracts, budgets, and schedules. Collaborate with stakeholders and guide project processes for successful...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Drive project success by overseeing construction activities, ensuring timely execution, budget adherence, and client satisfaction. Engage with stakeholders throughout all project phases, from planning...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Empower a high-performing team by leading, coaching, and developing colleagues to achieve strategic objectives while fostering an inclusive culture and driving continuous improvement in a dynamic envi...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage and supervise contractor personnel while overseeing complex project tasks. Ensure effective communication with clients and maintain schedule and cost control. Play a key role in training and qu...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $140K *
Drive complex construction projects with DSA oversight, ensuring operational excellence and strategic execution. Lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and maintain quality standards while foste...
1 week ago
$100K - $140K *
Champion complex construction projects with DSA oversight, leveraging your expertise in project management and leadership to ensure operational excellence and compliance with quality standards...
1 week ago
Construction Manager - Project Manager (CM-PM)
$90K - $135K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing healthcare infrastructure through effective project management. Oversee construction projects at Veterans Affairs facilities, ensuring timely execution, compl...
3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Landscape Architecture
$90K - $118K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse landscape architecture projects, collaborating with teams to ensure design integrity and execution from concept to completion while mentoring junior staff and enhan...
Reposted yesterday
Project Manager - Commercial Architecture
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading project management efforts in commercial architecture. Collaborate with clients and teams to ensure projects meet quality standards, budgets, and timelines while mentoring...
6 days ago
Project Manager - Commercial Architecture
$100K - $120K *
Drive project success by overseeing architectural design and management, ensuring client satisfaction through effective communication, budget adherence, and quality assurance while mentoring junior st...
6 days ago
Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Retail
$80K - $120K *
Drive project success by leading retail architecture initiatives from feasibility to close-out, ensuring client satisfaction and technical excellence while mentoring teams in a collaborative environme...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Empower the future of municipal design by leading the production of precise construction documents for water and wastewater projects, ensuring quality and accuracy while mentoring junior staff and mai...
4 days ago
Manager, Software Engineering - Design Systems Adherence
$258K - $376K *
Shape the future of design quality by leading a team focused on enhancing adherence to design systems, improving workflows, and leveraging AI to ensure seamless integration between design and code...
1 week ago
Manager, Software Engineering - Design Systems Adherence
$258K - $376K *
Champion the future of design quality by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on enhancing design systems adherence, driving impactful strategies, and fostering innovation in AI-assisted workflo...
1 week ago
Associate Director, Technical Motion Design
$122K - $146K *
Unlock potential by leading the evolution of the motion pipeline while mentoring designers. This role blends technical direction with hands-on production, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality...
6 days ago
$101K - $130K *
Lead strategic benefits communications projects, ensuring clarity and quality across teams. Manage timelines, budgets, and resources while adapting to client needs. Drive successful outcomes through e...
Yesterday
Senior Designer (AVP/Associate Creative Director)
$105K - $139K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Designer, leading innovative visual projects across branding, campaigns, and presentations. Collaborate with creatives to elevate design quality while mentoring junior...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Designer (AVP/Associate Creative Director)
$105K - $139K *
Innovate design solutions by leading brand identities, campaigns, and presentations. Collaborate with creative teams to craft compelling visuals, mentor junior designers, and elevate project quality w...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Designer (AVP/Associate Creative Director)
$105K - $139K *
Unlock your creative potential as a Senior Designer, leading impactful projects across branding, presentations, and campaigns. Collaborate with a dynamic team to craft compelling visual narratives tha...
Reposted 4 days ago
$88K - $105K *
Empower project success by leading diverse initiatives in manufacturing. Utilize your expertise in pharma, biotech, or medical devices to drive projects from inception to completion, ensuring complian...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project outcomes by leading diverse initiatives in manufacturing, focusing on pharma, biotech, and medical devices. Leverage your expertise to drive success in commissioning, qualification, a...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Join our team as a Project Manager to lead diverse manufacturing projects, ensuring timely delivery and compliance. Leverage your expertise in pharma, biotech, or medical devices to drive success and...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Join us to lead diverse manufacturing projects, ensuring timely delivery and compliance. Leverage your expertise in pharma, biotech, or medical devices to drive success and foster collaboration across...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse manufacturing projects, ensuring timely delivery and compliance. Collaborate with teams to drive success in capital, construction, and qualification initiatives whi...
2 weeks 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.