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.
$100K - $120K *
Champion the execution of a $50M medical device program, overseeing all workstreams and ensuring compliance with design controls and validation expectations over a 2-year onsite commitment...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Lead and manage construction projects, overseeing teams and ensuring quality, while maintaining schedules, budgets, and client relations. Drive project success with technical expertise and mentorship...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$80K - $100K *
Lead the charge in optimizing resource allocation for creative teams, ensuring projects are staffed effectively to meet business needs. Collaborate across departments to enhance operational efficiency...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in shaping intuitive user experiences across software products. Drive UX vision, mentor a talented team, and collaborate with stakeholders to transform insights into compelling designs...
2 days ago
$120K - $140K *
The Project Manager is responsible for guiding medium project teams through the entire project cycle, ensuring adherence to project scope, budget, and schedule. This role involves managing project tea...
Reposted 1 week ago
$120K - $140K *
The Project Manager is responsible for guiding medium project teams through the entire project cycle, ensuring adherence to project scope, budget, and schedule. This role involves managing project tea...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Product Architect - Senior Manager
$124K - $280K *
Join a team that's pioneering AI-driven product development for the pharmaceutical sector. As a Senior Manager, you'll lead a diverse team, driving innovation and quality in data analytics and enginee...
1 week ago
Product Architect - Senior Manager
$124K - $280K *
Join a team that's redefining AI-driven product development in pharma. As a Senior Manager, you'll lead innovative engineering efforts, mentor teams, and shape data strategies to drive impactful insig...
1 week ago
Product Architect - Senior Manager
$124K - $280K *
Empower innovation as a hands-on technology leader, driving AI-first product development in the pharmaceutical sector. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable solutions that enhanc...
1 week ago
Product Architect - Senior Manager
$124K - $280K *
Unlock innovative AI-driven solutions as a Senior Manager, guiding teams in developing custom products for the pharmaceutical sector. Lead data analytics efforts, ensuring quality and strategic insigh...
1 week ago
Associate Director - Senior Construction Program Manager
$140K - $197K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead client relationships and strategic projects, leveraging your extensive cost management expertise in the data centre sector to drive success and foster growth within a c...
3 weeks ago
Associate Director - Senior Construction Program Manager
$140K - $197K *
Lead the charge in managing strategic client relationships and projects, leveraging your extensive cost management expertise in the data centre sector. Empower teams through mentorship while driving b...
4 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
The Project Manager is responsible for guiding medium project teams through the entire project cycle, ensuring adherence to project scope, budget, and schedule. This role involves managing project tea...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Champion innovative design solutions that elevate brand storytelling and drive business success. Lead complex projects, ensuring alignment with brand standards while managing multiple priorities in a...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative design projects that enhance brand storytelling and drive business success. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality visual solutions in a fast-paced env...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Lead the charge in transforming creative concepts into impactful visual narratives that elevate brand identity and drive business success. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality design solut...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative design projects that elevate brand storytelling and drive business success. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality visual solutions in a fast-paced, hy...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Join a team that's redefining design excellence by leading innovative projects that enhance brand storytelling and drive business success. Collaborate across functions to deliver high-quality visual s...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Lead the charge in transforming ideas into compelling visual stories. Drive creative direction across diverse projects while ensuring brand alignment and delivering high-quality design solutions in a...
3 weeks ago
Graphic Design Manager | East & Central Regions
$95K - $110K *
Lead innovative design projects that enhance brand storytelling and drive business goals. Collaborate across teams to deliver high-quality visual solutions in a fast-paced environment, ensuring alignm...
3 weeks ago
Implementation Project Manager
$90K - $110K *
Lead the charge in managing end-to-end ProShop ERP implementations for machine shop clients. Ensure successful adoption through effective project management, client relationship building, and hands-on...
2 weeks ago
Project Manager - Signature Core Software
$90K - $144K *
Lead complex client-facing projects within the Signature Core ecosystem, translating business objectives into actionable plans. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementat...
1 week ago
Project Manager - Signature Core Software
$90K - $144K *
Manage complex client-facing projects within the Signature Core ecosystem, guiding initiatives from discovery to implementation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery a...
1 week ago
Director of Project Managerment - Architectural
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in project management excellence for architectural initiatives across North America, ensuring high-quality delivery, team engagement, and customer satisfaction while driving operationa...
5 days ago
Director of Project Managerment - Architectural
$110K - $130K *
Drive project management excellence across North America, ensuring high-quality delivery and customer satisfaction. Lead a dynamic team, optimize resources, and enhance operational strategies for inte...
5 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.