Explore Design Manager Jobs

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.

What Does a Design Manager Do?

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.

Common Design Manager Specialties

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.

Skills Employers Look For

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.

Find Your Next Design Leadership Role

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.

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$125K - $150K *

Lead and oversee commercial interior construction projects, managing full project lifecycles while collaborating with diverse stakeholders. Deliver high-quality fit-outs, ensuring safety and complianc...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Shape the future of user experience by leading design across a complex, multi-product ecosystem. Drive innovation, advocate for design-led thinking, and integrate AI-native workflows to enhance produc...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$90K - $125K *

Collaborate with a multi-disciplined team to manage projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while maintaining strong client relationships and overseeing quality control throughout all...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's committed to driving project success through leadership, communication, and collaboration. You'll manage cross-functional projects from initiation to completion, ensuring customer s...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $130K *

Drive the future of Li-ion battery development by leading project management efforts, engaging with government programs, and ensuring strategic collaborations for successful product launches and compl...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $175K *

Lead the charge in delivering innovative technology solutions by managing Agile projects, guiding teams through the full development lifecycle, and ensuring high client satisfaction through effective...

Mclean, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Transform transportation infrastructure by leading drainage design for a major project. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative hydrologic and hydraulic solutions while managin...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's redefining project management in robotics. Lead cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within scope, ensuring alignment with quality standards while fosterin...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$89K - $111K *

Manage and lead a dynamic distribution center, driving operational excellence and team performance across multiple shifts while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $240K *

Join a team that's redefining digital delivery in major infrastructure projects. Lead high-performing teams, establish strategies, and drive innovation while collaborating with multidisciplinary exper...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in managing construction projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality, safety, and client satisfaction through effective communication and proactive leadership. Collaborate...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Lead engineering initiatives to enhance manufacturing processes, resolve technical issues, and drive productivity improvements. Collaborate with teams to implement changes, train staff, and ensure qua...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K *

Join a dynamic team as you lead operations, enhance client relations, and drive program improvements. Utilize your managerial skills to oversee daily operations and foster a positive work environment...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$87K - $114K *

Lead product development by conducting market research, defining specifications, and creating marketing strategies to successfully launch new products and enhance existing lines, ensuring alignment wi...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $150K *

Lead the charge in shaping a compelling creative vision that resonates across all channels. Inspire and manage a dynamic studio team while driving impactful campaigns for DTC founders and ecommerce le...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$80K - $95K *

Deliver exceptional project leadership for complex manufacturing programs. Lead cross-functional teams to ensure timely, high-quality product delivery while maintaining customer satisfaction and compl...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $198K *

Drive project execution excellence by leading a team of Design Project Managers, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with customer requirements while optimizing resources and managing risks across...

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $198K *

Transform project execution by leading a team of Design Project Managers to ensure timely, budget-compliant delivery of engineering projects while driving continuous improvement and alignment across d...

1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Join a dynamic team to manage and execute interior construction projects, coordinating with clients and stakeholders from concept to completion. This role requires creativity, organization, and a pass...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$105K - $130K *

Transform the automotive service industry by driving customer success through expert training in ADAS calibration and workflow optimization. Engage with clients, enhance operational excellence, and le...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Lead and oversee multidisciplinary design teams to deliver modular building solutions, ensuring design quality, constructability, and alignment with project specifications while managing resources, sc...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $95K *

Lead multidisciplinary teams to manage medical communications projects from inception to completion, ensuring client satisfaction, budget adherence, and timely delivery of high-quality content and ser...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $100K *

Shape user-centered services by leading design activities, conducting research, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance digital service delivery in complex environments. Drive innova...

Calgary, ABIn-Person

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$90K - $140K *

Champion the future of project management by leading diverse programs, driving change, and fostering client relationships. Oversee multiple projects, ensuring timely delivery and account growth while...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower user experiences by conducting research and testing to enhance design quality for the VA Medical Disability Exam program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver accessible, user-ce...

Reston, VARemote

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Design Manager do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.