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.
New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's dedicated to transforming innovative designs into market-ready medical devices by overseeing prototype builds, production planning, and managing manufacturing operations in a fast-p...
Reposted 2 days ago
$128K - $217K *
Transform software development by leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative audio solutions. Drive projects from concept to release, ensuring alignment with business goals and technical exc...
1 week ago
$126K - $176K *
Champion project success by leading onsite teams, ensuring safety, and coordinating snagging activities while fostering collaboration and proactive problem-solving to enhance project outcomes...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager - Product & Tech
$100K - $109K *
Drive execution of high-priority initiatives across teams, ensuring effective delivery and alignment with business outcomes. Lead complex projects, manage dependencies, and enhance collaboration to ac...
Yesterday
$135K - $185K *
Join a team that's innovating and optimizing the mining life cycle through world-class study management and technical leadership, contributing to sustainable solutions in metals project development fo...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Manager, Modern Workplace Engineering
$170K - $181K *
Advance your career by leading a team focused on modernizing endpoint management. Oversee the design, security, and support of user environments while driving cloud-native strategies and enhancing use...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Deliver impactful project management by overseeing budgets, schedules, and quality standards. Collaborate with teams to navigate challenges and ensure client satisfaction while driving project success...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Join us to lead project management efforts, ensuring timely completion and budget adherence while maintaining high safety standards and client satisfaction. Collaborate with teams to navigate challeng...
4 weeks ago
Manager, Modern Workplace Engineering
$170K - $181K *
Champion the evolution of endpoint management by leading a team to modernize and secure the firm's digital workplace, ensuring seamless user experiences and operational excellence across diverse techn...
1 week ago
Engineering Manager - Manufacturing
$145K - $150K *
Shape the future of manufacturing engineering by leading the transition of complex products from design to production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure operational readiness and drive...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform product development by leading cross-functional teams to enhance the product portfolio, drive commercialization, and optimize production costs while ensuring alignment with market needs and...
3 weeks ago
$105K - $115K *
Advance construction projects by leading teams, managing budgets, and ensuring safety standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver high-quality results on cellular tower installations and more...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Transform project execution by overseeing logistics, costs, and relationships. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely delivery and quality standards while managing resources effectively in a dynamic...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $170K *
Lead the charge in overseeing the retrofit of a high-density AI Compute Datacenter, ensuring programmatic accountability and technical compliance while advising government stakeholders on project mile...
2 weeks ago
Product Development Project Manager
$80K - $95K *
Drive innovation by managing product development projects from inception to launch, ensuring cross-departmental collaboration and timely delivery while optimizing processes and mitigating risks for en...
6 days ago
Design Group Manager- Upper Structures
$110K - $130K *
Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team of Engineering Designers to drive innovative design solutions and achieve organizational goals through effective training, communication, and performanc...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Engage in a vital senior role managing complex BIM projects and leading teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables. Drive innovation in processes while serving as a key technical resource and primary l...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Optimization Program Manager, RCC
$130K - $155K *
Drive customer engagement by operationalizing Retail Customer Care programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance digital shopping experiences, develop strategies, and ensure readiness f...
1 week ago
Mechanical Engineering Manager
$130K - $155K *
Lead and mentor a dynamic mechanical engineering team, overseeing complex building projects. Drive design excellence, manage client relationships, and ensure quality deliverables while fostering a col...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineering Manager
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of mechanical engineering by leading innovative projects, mentoring talent, and ensuring quality design solutions for complex building systems while fostering str...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform the design process by leading multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality and compliance while optimizing costs and schedules. Act as the technical representative, driving innovation and maint...
Reposted yesterday
$80K - $95K *
Join a team that's redefining project management in mission-critical data centers. Collaborate with experts, enhance your skills, and ensure project success in a dynamic environment while enjoying a f...
1 week ago
$85K - $95K *
Advance safety initiatives by developing and managing comprehensive programs to ensure compliance with regulations and foster a secure working environment for all employees and visitors...
1 week ago
BIM/VDC Coordination Manager-TJ Dyer
$80K - $95K *
Engineer a collaborative BIM Coordination team to optimize plumbing and piping design, ensuring compliance with contract documents and timely project execution while nurturing talent and enhancing ove...
Reposted 5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Transform dealer operations by leading product strategy for Layered Apps, enhancing service planning and technician productivity through AI-driven solutions. Collaborate across teams to deliver impact...
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.