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 - $103K *
Oversee and enhance operational processes for project management teams, ensuring efficiency and compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to address challenges and optimize staffing, training, and rep...
5 days ago
$100K - $103K *
Optimize project operations by overseeing processes, managing staffing, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate with teams to enhance efficiency and troubleshoot issues, while maintainin...
5 days ago
$265K - $365K *
Inspire innovation by leading a design team to shape an AI-native product vision, ensuring exceptional quality and user experience while collaborating closely with leadership to drive product strategy...
4 weeks ago
$185K - $316K *
Champion a high-performing team of Solutions Consultants, driving strategic alignment and revenue growth for AMER Enterprise accounts through technical expertise and collaborative storytelling...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $135K *
Shape engaging visual experiences across digital and print platforms, collaborating with marketing and product teams to enhance brand identity and messaging. Drive innovative design solutions that res...
3 weeks ago
$85K - $102K *
Empower innovation in critical power solutions by leading dynamic projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional delivery and customer satisfaction while managing risks and ma...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in building a dynamic product design team, shaping innovative design strategies across multiple platforms while driving user-centered design practices and mentoring designers to enhanc...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Champion design excellence by leading project management for large and medium-scale projects. Inspire collaboration within the design team to meet client goals, ensuring compliance and quality from pr...
6 days ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform project design management by leading diverse teams to achieve project goals from proposal to closeout, ensuring compliance and fostering client relationships while maintaining high-quality s...
6 days ago
Project Manager | Architecture
$110K - $130K *
Manage architectural projects from planning to construction, ensuring quality delivery and strong client relationships. Lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee budgets and schedules, and support team gr...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of healthcare design by leading project management for small-scale projects. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure compliance, quality, and client satisfaction from proposal to cl...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing K-12 education through effective project management. As a key advisor, you'll oversee MEP systems in complex capital projects, ensuring quality outcomes and s...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Lead complex K-12 capital projects as an owner's representative, managing MEP systems from planning to closeout. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success, focusing on budget...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Lead transformative K-12 capital projects as an MEP Manager, overseeing all phases from planning to closeout. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful outcomes, managing scope, bu...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Lead complex K-12 capital projects as an owner's representative, managing MEP systems from planning to closeout. Drive project success through effective stakeholder coordination, risk management, and...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Drive your career with a dynamic role managing MEP systems for K-12 projects. Oversee construction activities, ensuring quality and budget adherence while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to...
1 week ago
$130K - $149K *
Seeking an experienced MEP Manager to oversee K-12 capital projects, ensuring successful delivery through all phases. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to manage scope, budget, and quality whil...
1 week ago
$126K - $162K *
Drive project success by leading design and construction phases, managing teams, and ensuring client satisfaction in commercial and mission-critical environments. Collaborate with stakeholders to deli...
3 weeks ago
Site Design Manager (Group Leader)
$95K - $115K *
Drive a high-performing team to deliver innovative engineering solutions across diverse projects. Lead staff development, enhance client service, and ensure project excellence while fostering collabor...
Reposted today
Design Integration Senior Manager
$110K - $130K *
Pioneer innovative design integration strategies to enhance project delivery. Lead cross-functional teams, manage complex design processes, and ensure quality outcomes while fostering collaboration am...
6 days ago
Project Manager - Digital Domain
$104K - $112K *
Join a dynamic team to manage digital projects, optimizing web initiatives and driving business outcomes through effective collaboration and strategic planning across departments...
2 weeks ago
$88K - $105K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of medical device innovation by leading R&D projects, ensuring compliance, and driving successful commercialization. Collaborate across teams to meet project goals...
Reposted yesterday
$85K - $105K *
Lead the charge in designing and delivering advanced building technology systems. Oversee projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality and coordination across disciplines while fostering cl...
1 week ago
Technical Design Manager - Client Services
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing complex operational workflows that enhance service delivery and client experience. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $140K *
Shape your career by leading project teams, driving design execution, and mentoring junior architects. Collaborate with clients and consultants to deliver innovative architectural solutions while ensu...
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.