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.
Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager
$100K - $120K *
Transform construction outcomes by leading VDC services across projects. Collaborate with project teams and clients to optimize performance, enhance quality, and drive innovation in technology-enabled...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative energy infrastructure projects, focusing on EV charging, autonomous vehicle solutions, and modular data centers. Collaborate across teams to ensure safe, scala...
2 days ago
$65K - $113K *
Execute user-centered design strategies to enhance complex workflows for enterprise users, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver intuitive experiences on a data-rich platform...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive project success by coordinating engineering activities, managing budgets, and ensuring quality. Collaborate with teams to define requirements and present findings, while leading staff developmen...
5 days ago
$90K - $140K *
Join a team that's driving project success by leading technical initiatives, resolving complex challenges, and aligning outcomes with client objectives. Your expertise will enhance profitability and o...
3 weeks ago
Preconstruction Project Manager
$100K - $120K *
Join our team as a Preconstruction Project Manager, where you'll define technical requirements for building projects, ensuring client needs are met through strategic collaboration and expert guidance...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $120K *
Champion project success by overseeing all phases of construction, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality standards while leading diverse teams and liaising with stakeholders for opti...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive strategic marketing initiatives and business development efforts, connecting execution with corporate revenue goals. Collaborate with leadership to enhance market presence and foster client rela...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in connecting strategy with execution to drive revenue growth. Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement marketing strategies, enhance proposal quality, and build client rel...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize production processes and client marketing programs by managing vendor relationships, ensuring quality execution, and delivering projects on time and within budget while fostering effective co...
6 days ago
Senior Designer - Architecture
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's redefining industry standards by leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity. Collaborate on large-scale projects, ensuring quality and budget adherence while driving...
2 days ago
$140K - $180K *
Transform public agency operations by leading product strategy and execution for a cutting-edge asset management platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful features that en...
Reposted 5 days ago
Project Manager / Project Architect
$80K - $120K *
Shape the future of architectural project management by leading multi-discipline teams, ensuring design compliance, and delivering quality projects on time while fostering a collaborative and professi...
Reposted today
$90K - $110K *
Engage with us to enhance quality assurance processes, drive compliance with automotive standards, and foster a culture of continuous improvement through effective leadership and collaboration across...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Reimagine your impact by leading projects that drive customer satisfaction, aligning cross-functional teams, and delivering exceptional outcomes. Enhance your expertise by navigating complex challenge...
Reposted today
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in delivering impactful projects by fostering collaboration and trust with stakeholders. Drive project success through effective planning, execution, and communication, ensuring alignm...
2 days ago
$108K - $130K *
Discover a role where you’ll craft innovative brand design solutions, ensuring consistency across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate brand expression and drive strateg...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Design and develop innovative brand systems, ensuring cohesive expression across products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality design solutions while maintaining brand cons...
4 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Optimize project delivery by managing medium-large IT projects, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and timelines while fostering collaboration across teams and maintaining high-quality project doc...
Reposted 1 week ago
$100K - $125K *
Develop project plans and lead cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery of client initiatives while managing scope, budget, and timelines effectively in a fast-paced environment...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead and optimize manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Drive continuous improvement and team development while managing resources and meeting customer commitments in a d...
3 weeks ago
$106K - $159K *
Help us shape innovative designs for small to medium projects, ensuring seamless coordination from concept through construction. Collaborate with teams and clients to maintain design integrity and del...
2 weeks ago
$72K - $103K *
Transform project delivery in municipal and transit infrastructure by leading diverse teams, managing client relationships, and ensuring project success through effective communication and stakeholder...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $175K *
Drive enterprise-level program management for complex, multi-workstream initiatives. Lead strategic accounts, ensuring alignment, governance, and exceptional client experiences while overseeing financ...
1 week ago
$57K - $107K *
Help us drive innovation by managing resources, schedules, and quality standards in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality components while adhering to...
3 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.