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.
$105K - $162K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative technology initiatives, managing project scope, budget, and vendor relationships while ensuring alignment across teams and stakeholders for successful outcomes...
2 weeks ago
Manager, Manufacturing Engineering - Furniture
$108K - $130K *
Champion operational excellence by leading the Manufacturing Engineering team to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency while driving continuous improvement and technical talent development in a dyna...
6 days ago
$60K - $140K *
Shape the creative vision and execution of innovative design projects, driving excellence from concept to delivery. Lead, mentor, and inspire junior designers while collaborating closely with strategi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock potential by developing innovative AI-driven solutions for contract management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape product strategy and enhance workflows for sales, procurement, a...
Today
$127K - $145K *
Empower project success by managing Verification and Validation plans, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across cross-functional teams to a...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Drive successful project execution by overseeing multi-level teams and managing financial operations, schedules, and resources across concurrent engineering and manufacturing projects while ensuring c...
2 weeks ago
Senior Architectural Project Manager - Program Services
$123K - $145K *
Champion project leadership by managing complex architectural programs, ensuring client satisfaction and financial success. Collaborate with diverse teams to deliver high-quality results across all ph...
2 days ago
Lead Project Manager (Infrastructure)
$110K - $130K *
Elevate project management excellence by leading complex IT initiatives across diverse teams, ensuring timely delivery and budget adherence while fostering collaboration and innovation throughout the...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Transform materials management by developing a comprehensive strategy that enhances quality, optimizes supplier capabilities, and drives best practices across the facility while leading a dedicated te...
6 days ago
$85K - $95K *
Lead the charge in managing operations and customer service for events, overseeing a team of Crew Leaders and Installers while ensuring client satisfaction and efficient asset management in a dynamic...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $95K *
Join our dynamic team as an Operations Manager, overseeing event management, team leadership, and customer satisfaction. Drive operational excellence while managing local assets and ensuring successfu...
3 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Join a dynamic team as you oversee development projects, ensuring timely execution and cross-departmental collaboration. Enhance processes while managing resources to drive delivery and innovation acr...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$85K - $150K *
Empower innovation by designing and detailing molds and fixtures, ensuring efficient manufacturing processes while collaborating with engineers and vendors to deliver high-quality solutions...
6 days ago
$85K - $150K *
Shape innovative mold designs and collaborate with engineers to ensure functionality and manufacturability. Utilize CAD software and support projects from concept to completion while maintaining high...
6 days ago
$80K - $95K *
Design innovative aircraft components, ensuring compliance and manufacturability while collaborating with stakeholders to meet project timelines and deliverables in the aerospace sector...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $105K *
Lead the charge in designing engaging gameplay systems and virtual economies for casual mobile games. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance player experiences from concept through launch...
1 week ago
$103K - $128K *
Lead the charge in driving project success by planning, directing, and coordinating activities, ensuring goals are met within timelines and budgets through effective resource management and team colla...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Construction Operations Manager
$80K - $95K *
Pioneer effective operations by leading teams in specialty construction projects, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Collaborate with stakeholders to navigate challenges and uphold company valu...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$76K - $128K *
Lead the charge in optimizing materials management and supply chain operations, ensuring timely procurement, inventory control, and logistics to support manufacturing needs while driving cost efficien...
2 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager | Higher Education
$100K - $120K *
Champion the successful delivery of multiple projects, leading teams and managing client expectations while ensuring project health, scope, schedule, and budget adherence for optimized outcomes throug...
Reposted 5 days ago
Systems Design Architecture Engineering Manager
$130K - $155K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative engineering solutions by managing a dynamic team, ensuring project success through effective coaching, collaboration, and strategic oversight, while driving cu...
2 weeks ago
$65K - $100K *
Transform mechanical design processes by developing 3D models and 2D drawings, leading design reviews, and collaborating with engineers and construction teams to ensure project success across various...
1 week ago
$96K - $110K *
Drive your career with a leading team as a Senior Mechanical/Piping Designer, tackling complex projects and enhancing your skills in facility layout, equipment modeling, and piping system design withi...
3 weeks ago
$99K - $174K *
Lead cross-functional teams to drive innovative engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, budget adherence, and stakeholder alignment while advancing technology and manufacturing capabilities...
2 weeks ago
Technical Director, Program Management
$175K - $230K *
Shape the future of transportation infrastructure by leading multidisciplinary teams in program management. Drive strategic initiatives, enhance performance, and ensure successful delivery of complex...
2 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.