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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$85K - $185K *

Lead the charge in delivering complex design-build projects by managing design teams, ensuring quality and compliance, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to achieve project goals on time a...

2 days ago

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

$88K - $105K *

Transform vibrant communities by leading urban design and streetscape projects. Manage multidisciplinary teams from concept to construction, enhancing mobility and quality of life through innovative p...

3 weeks ago

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

$116K - $125K *

Transform product strategy and innovation in AI-powered CAD solutions. Lead cross-functional teams to define, manage, and launch SOLIDWORKS AI and design products, ensuring alignment with customer nee...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$94K - $178K *

Innovate engaging visual assets across marketing channels to enhance campaign strategies. Collaborate with teams to create compelling designs that meet brand standards and accessibility requirements...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$95K - $115K *

Lead a project team to deliver transportation projects efficiently, ensuring compliance with regulations and specifications. Oversee engineers, manage budgets, and maintain timelines while fostering c...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$144K - $162K *

Elevate the design standards of K-12 educational facilities by leading strategic planning, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring project compliance with educational specifications for optimal...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$111K - $186K *

Join a dynamic team to oversee the construction of cutting-edge data centers. Drive project scope, quality, and budget while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhan...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of engineering by leading teams, managing projects, and driving innovation while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering team development for optimal performance...

Guelph, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Elevate project outcomes by managing all phases of architectural projects. Collaborate with teams, ensure financial performance, and maintain client relationships while integrating sustainable design...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$258K - $376K *

Lead the charge in developing engineering strategies that enhance product reliability and operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize initiatives, mentor engineers, a...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $101K *

Champion exceptional project outcomes by leading diverse Hospitality and Restaurant initiatives. Collaborate with teams and clients to deliver innovative design solutions while managing multiple proje...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$80K - $101K *

Lead the charge in innovative project management for dynamic hospitality design. Drive multi-disciplinary teams and enhance client relationships while delivering exceptional experiences in fast-paced...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$258K - $376K *

Join our team to lead engineering efforts, enhancing product reliability and operational efficiency. You'll coach engineers, set strategic priorities, and drive impactful initiatives across teams, fos...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $110K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of architecture by leading diverse project teams through all phases of design and delivery, ensuring excellence in client relationships and project execution whil...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $120K *

Advance your career by leading project delivery teams, ensuring efficient execution and customer satisfaction. Collaborate across departments to manage resources, resolve issues, and drive continuous...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$74K - $90K *

Unlock potential by leading production teams to achieve operational excellence, ensuring quality and safety standards are met while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and employee developme...

Whitby, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Drive successful industrial real estate projects from entitlement to lease-up. Oversee budgets, schedules, and stakeholder coordination while ensuring alignment with operational standards and local ma...

4 weeks ago

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

$88K - $105K *

Support and manage industrial real estate development projects from entitlement to lease-up, ensuring alignment with design and operational standards while coordinating with teams and consultants to d...

4 weeks ago

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

$110K - $175K *

Partner with us to oversee document control for large civil infrastructure projects. Ensure compliance, manage records, and support audits while leading a team to maintain accurate documentation acros...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $175K *

Support large-scale civil infrastructure programs by managing document control systems, ensuring compliance, and maintaining accurate records for audits and reviews. Collaborate with teams to enhance...

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $175K *

Lead the document control function for large-scale civil infrastructure projects. Ensure compliance with procedures and maintain accurate records for audits and reviews. Collaborate with teams to supp...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $175K *

Join a team that's dedicated to managing document control for large-scale civil infrastructure projects. Oversee systems and procedures that ensure all documentation is accurate, traceable, and compli...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $175K *

Discover the opportunity to lead document control for large-scale civil infrastructure projects. Manage systems and procedures ensuring compliance and traceability, while collaborating with diverse te...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Transportation

$110K - $120K *

Champion operational excellence by leading service delivery across multiple projects. Leverage strong stakeholder management and resource planning skills to ensure high-quality service and client sati...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $212K *

Transform visual identity by evolving brand systems and creating impactful designs. Collaborate closely with leadership to ensure consistency and creativity across all channels, while pushing the boun...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.