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.
$90K - $120K *
Drive the prototyping and development process by collaborating with engineering teams to ensure efficient execution and maintenance of innovative products. Your leadership will enhance project visibil...
Reposted 1 week ago
$90K - $120K *
Lead the charge in optimizing prototyping processes, collaborating with engineering teams to ensure efficient development and maintenance of innovative hardware products while managing resources and t...
1 week ago
Project Manager Data Center Rapid Deployment
$115K - $138K *
Manage complex data center deployment projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment among stakeholders. Oversee planning, execution, and closeout while maintaining budget and risk controls in fast...
3 weeks ago
Principal Design and Simulation Engineer
$120K - $151K *
Lead the charge in structural, thermal, and fluid simulations for industrial machinery. Utilize FEA and CFD expertise to solve complex engineering challenges, mentor teams, and enhance design performa...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Drive architectural projects from inception to completion, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget are met while leading multidisciplinary teams and maintaining strong client relationships for successful...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Champion creative production excellence by managing client relationships and project execution, ensuring successful campaign deployment and driving value for influential brands in a fast-paced environ...
3 weeks ago
Manager, Application Architecture
$109K - $183K *
Champion the evolution of a leading SaaS platform by guiding a global team of architects. Drive modernization, scalability, and security while establishing standards and collaborating across departmen...
5 days ago
$90K - $130K *
Transform your career as you support project managers in driving successful construction projects. Collaborate with diverse teams, manage documentation, and contribute to innovative processes in a dyn...
Yesterday
$140K - $185K *
Transform project delivery by managing IT initiatives for California agencies. Collaborate with state staff to ensure timely, budget-compliant outcomes while leveraging Agile methodologies and large s...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by owning and evolving a comprehensive design system that enhances digital experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish standards, improve workflows, and integrat...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Optimize enterprise software solutions by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring reliable systems and data integrity while driving process improvements and stakeholder engagement across multiple ini...
1 week ago
Manager, UX Design Operations - Acton, MA or San Diego, CA (Hybrid)
$144K - $216K *
Oversee and enhance UX operations, leading a dedicated team to drive customer-centered design solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness across the product lifecycle within a dynamic, cross-f...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Lead the charge in project management by coordinating teams and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results while maintaining strong client relationships and managing multiple projects simultaneo...
2 weeks ago
Director of Technology & Innovation
$125K - $150K *
Lead technology innovation and team dynamics to enhance operational efficiency, drive AI adoption, and ensure data security while aligning with business objectives and fostering collaboration across l...
Today
$105K - $115K *
Lead the charge in overseeing civil construction projects, ensuring effective management from preconstruction to closeout, while collaborating with teams and stakeholders to maintain timelines and bud...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Project Manager - Drainage Design
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of drainage design for transportation and municipal projects. Leverage your expertise in hydrology and hydraulics while managing multidisciplinary teams and deliv...
2 days ago
$170K - $220K *
Drive product excellence by owning the roadmap, collaborating with engineering, and transforming customer insights into impactful solutions. Shape the future of AI-native products while measuring succ...
Reposted yesterday
$120K - $145K *
Transform the customer journey by designing seamless web and mobile experiences. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance onboarding, usability, and AI-driven interfaces, ensuring customers...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Partner with us to manage customer and internal projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality. Collaborate with remote teams and stakeholders to drive project success and maintain...
5 days ago
$92K - $166K *
Champion the execution of material strategies by managing purchase orders, resolving delays, and ensuring supplier accountability. Drive program success through effective risk management and collabora...
1 week ago
$80K - $95K *
Optimize project delivery by transforming concepts into constructible designs. Collaborate with teams to develop documentation, interpret regulations, and mentor junior staff while ensuring design int...
Today
Performance Manager , Operational Excellence
$104K - $130K *
Champion operational excellence by managing contract compliance and financial performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze KPIs, drive improvements, and implement strategic action p...
Yesterday
Performance Manager , Operational Excellence
$104K - $130K *
Lead the charge in enhancing operational performance by managing compliance and financial analysis across multiple locations. Collaborate with teams to set KPIs, drive improvements, and implement stra...
2 days ago
$130K - $150K *
Elevate your design career by leading high-impact projects that shape brand identity and corporate communications. Collaborate with senior leadership to define creative direction and mentor emerging t...
1 week ago
$80K - $90K *
Elevate project delivery by managing workflows, ensuring timely execution, and integrating AI tools. Collaborate with teams to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in a dynamic, multi-brand env...
1 week 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.