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.
Associate Director of Design, Operations
$108K - $130K *
Manage senior-level design for capital and I&A projects, executing planning strategies and leading a BIM program. Collaborate with teams to ensure design standards and project delivery align with inst...
4 weeks ago
$80K - $90K *
Join us to oversee daily operations in a dynamic industrial environment. Lead a team of 20-30, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance while achieving operational targets and fostering a culture o...
2 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive your career with a pivotal role managing project scope changes, ensuring alignment across design, engineering, and construction teams. Oversee documentation and control processes to protect proj...
4 weeks ago
$188K - $245K *
Drive innovative UX design strategies in clinical settings, leading a talented team to enhance decision support and care coordination. Collaborate across functions to integrate AI and elevate user exp...
Reposted 1 week ago
$275K - $325K *
Lead the charge in building and managing a construction banking sector, driving strategy, partnerships, and product development while overseeing P&L and fostering key relationships to establish Flex a...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$110K - $130K *
Elevate brand expression through innovative visual design across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling narratives and lead projects from concept to execution, e...
1 week ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$120K - $145K *
Transform brand expression by leading innovative visual design projects across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate creative direction and deliver high-quality, narrativ...
1 week ago
Sr. Visual Designer, MAI Creative Studio
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading innovative visual design projects that enhance brand expression across diverse mediums. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create compelling narratives and high...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join us to design and build intuitive product interfaces, bridging design and code. You'll create seamless user experiences using Figma and React, ensuring high-quality delivery from concept to produc...
2 weeks ago
Site Operations Manager (Launch)
$110K - $130K *
Help us launch and manage a cutting-edge fulfillment center, leading operations, building teams, and driving performance in a fast-paced, automated environment. Scale operations while ensuring quality...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Champion enterprise-wide IT project management practices, ensuring timely, budget-compliant delivery of complex programs. Collaborate with leadership to prioritize initiatives and mentor project teams...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $200K *
Champion global production support operations, leveraging AI for seamless 24/7 performance of enterprise applications. Lead a multi-region team in optimizing incident management and driving operationa...
Yesterday
$80K - $130K *
Lead the charge in managing diverse public-sector projects, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while fostering strong client relationships and innovative solutions for community development...
5 days ago
$135K - $179K *
Drive successful construction projects by planning, organizing, and supervising teams while ensuring quality standards and budget compliance. Collaborate with subcontractors and enhance operational ef...
Reposted 2 days ago
$114K - $149K *
Unlock your potential by leading diverse construction projects, overseeing schedules, budgets, and quality standards while managing team performance to ensure successful project delivery and complianc...
Reposted 1 week ago
Engineering Operations Manager - Procurement, Logistics & Prototype Production
$107K - $186K *
Join us to lead operational excellence in procurement and logistics for defense engineering programs. Drive process improvements, manage multidisciplinary teams, and ensure efficient prototype product...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead the charge in managing cross-functional product development projects, ensuring timely execution and budget adherence while coordinating global teams and stakeholders throughout the entire product...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Designer - Engine and Propulsio
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative mathematical design solutions for complex systems, leveraging advanced CAD tools and engineering expertise. Lead cross-functional teams, mentor peers, and ensure adherence to desig...
Yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Transform your career by leading mechanical construction projects, ensuring client satisfaction, managing schedules, and optimizing costs while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders. Your...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion mechanical project management by overseeing construction needs, coordinating schedules, and ensuring project specifications are met. Engage with contractors and clients to optimize costs and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager Agile Program Manager
$130K - $210K *
Transform complex enterprise-scale programs by leading multifaceted workstreams, ensuring accountability and clarity while driving strategic initiatives in marketing and technology through AI and GenA...
2 weeks ago
$105K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading cross-functional projects, ensuring compliance, and managing deliverables in a dynamic environment. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive initiatives from planning through...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead product development for innovative portable machining tools, guiding cross-functional teams through the entire lifecycle from concept to market launch, while enhancing customer experience and dri...
3 weeks ago
Product Manager (Asset Management)
$140K - $180K *
Lead the vision and strategy for digital products in Asset Management, collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive business outcomes and operational efficiency through innovative product manage...
6 days ago
Product Manager (Asset Management)
$140K - $180K *
Shape the future of digital products by leading strategy and execution in Asset Management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive impactful business outcomes and enhance operational efficie...
6 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.