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Associate Design Manager Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Stand Together

Associate Design Director

Arlington, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

We're looking for a highly skilled, detail-oriented Associate Design Director to elevate the ... Experience managing, leading, mentoring, and developing designers, with a passion for elevating ...

Stand Together

Associate Design Director

Arlington, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

We're looking for a highly skilled, detail-oriented Associate Design Director to elevate the ... Experience managing, leading, mentoring, and developing designers, with a passion for elevating ...

Stand Together

Associate Design Director

Arlington, VA

$125K - $160K/yr

We're looking for a highly skilled, detail-oriented Associate Design Director to elevate the ... Experience managing, leading, mentoring, and developing designers, with a passion for elevating ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Project Design Manager

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$87K/yr

... associates for their assigned account(s). Responsibilities: Lead and mentor a team of design ... manage team project timelines, budgets, standards, varying complexity of projects, and resource ...

Capital One

Product Design Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$191K/yr

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design ... and associate needs to deliver inclusive, internal, and customer-centered solutions. Business ...

Capital One

Product Design Manager - DMDC

Mclean, VA

$191K/yr

Product Design Manager - DMDC At Capital One, we're building a leading information-based technology ... Our associates serve with humility and a deep respect for their responsibility in helping our ...

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All JobsAssociate Design JobsAssociate Design Manager JobsAssociate Design Manager Jobs in Washington, DC

Associate Design Manager information

See Washington, DC salary details

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How much do associate design manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate design manager in Washington, DC is $28.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.62 and $33.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate Design Manager?

An Associate Design Manager is an entry-level or early-career professional responsible for supporting the design team in project development, coordinating design efforts, and ensuring quality standards. They often work under the supervision of a senior design manager and may use design software such as Adobe Creative Suite or CAD tools. This role typically requires strong communication skills and a background in design or related fields.

What does a Design Manager do?

A Design Manager oversees the design process and team, ensuring projects meet quality standards, deadlines, and client requirements. They coordinate between designers, stakeholders, and other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software, and may be involved in strategic planning and resource allocation.

What are some common collaboration points between an Associate Design Manager and other departments within a company?

As an Associate Design Manager, you will frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Product Management, Engineering, and Marketing. This coordination ensures design solutions are aligned with business goals, technical constraints, and user needs. Regular meetings, design reviews, and feedback sessions are typical, making strong communication and teamwork skills essential. By working closely with these departments, you help bring cohesive and impactful products to market while also learning about broader business operations.

What does an Associate Design Manager do?

An Associate Design Manager is responsible for supporting senior design managers in overseeing design projects from conception to completion. Their duties typically include coordinating between design teams, stakeholders, and clients to ensure that projects meet quality standards, deadlines, and budget constraints. They may also assist with resource allocation, project planning, and problem-solving throughout the design process. This role is often a stepping stone for those aiming to become full Design Managers in the future.

What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design jobs are often executive roles such as Chief Design Officer or Creative Director, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures in large organizations. Senior roles that oversee multiple design teams and require extensive experience, leadership skills, and strategic vision tend to have the highest compensation in the design field.

What is the difference between Associate Design Manager vs Design Manager?

AspectAssociate Design ManagerDesign Manager
ResponsibilitiesSupports design projects, assists in team coordination, and handles specific tasks under supervision.Leads design teams, manages project timelines, and oversees overall design quality.
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, architecture, or related field; some experience preferred.Bachelor's or master's degree; extensive experience in design and team leadership.
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, team-oriented, often in office settings or on-site.Leadership-focused, involves client interactions, and strategic planning.

The Associate Design Manager typically supports and assists in design projects, requiring foundational credentials and less leadership responsibility. In contrast, the Design Manager leads teams and manages entire projects, demanding more experience and strategic oversight. Both roles are essential in the design industry, with the associate position serving as a stepping stone to managerial roles.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, roles such as senior art director, creative director, or media executive often earn $150,000 or more annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite or media management platforms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Design Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Design Manager, you need strong design principles, project management abilities, and a relevant degree in design or a related field. Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and familiarity with project management tools like Asana or Trello are typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills help you effectively guide design teams and liaise with stakeholders. These capabilities are essential to ensure projects are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with the strategic vision of the organization.
What are popular job titles related to Associate Design Manager jobs in Washington, DC? For Associate Design Manager jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Design Manager jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Design Manager jobs in Washington, DC are:
Associate Design Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Design Manager job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,872 per year, or $28.8 per hour.
Associate Design Director

Associate Design Director

Stand Together

Arlington, VA • On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and toxic division, among dozens of other pressing issues. We provide our partners with access to resources including funding, thought leadership, a network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society. 

We’re looking for a highly skilled, detail-oriented Associate Design Director to elevate the quality, consistency, and impact of our creative work across the Stand Together brand and its network of partners.

This role is ideal for a design leader who combines exceptional visual craft with a passion for mentoring others. You will play a critical role in shaping and refining creative work-bringing a sharp design eye, strong executional ability, and the ability to guide teams towards best-in-class outcomes.

Working closely with the Creative Director, you will focus on raising the bar of design across all touchpoints, ensuring that every piece of work is strategically sound, visually compelling, and executed at the highest level. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a culturally significant impact while strengthening the capabilities of our creative team. 
What You Will Do
  • Serve as the design lead across projects, partnering with the Creative Director to ensure work is visually exceptional, strategically aligned, and cohesive across channels.  
  • Act as the primary design authority, providing a critical, detail-oriented eye to refine and elevate creative work at every stage. 
  • Guide and mentor designers (junior through senior), offering hands-on feedback, direction, and coaching to strengthen craft, execution, and conceptual thinking.  
  • Spend dedicated time in the work, reviewing layouts, typography, systems, and visual storytelling to ensure the highest level of polish and consistency.  
  • Establish and uphold design standards, systems, and best practices across brand, campaigns, and partnerships.  
  • Collaborate closely with art directors, copywriters, strategists, and producers to bring integrated ideas to life across digital, social, video, print, and experiential.  
  • Translate strategic concepts into compelling visual systems and executions that resonate culturally and emotionally.  
  • Lead design critiques, foster a culture of constructive feedback, and create an environment where designers can grow and do their best work.  
  • Ensure design work scales effectively across platforms while maintaining integrity and quality.  
  • Support the Creative Director by owning the day-to-day design quality, enabling more focus on higher-level strategy and vision.  
What You Will Bring
  • 7+ years of experience in design, with a strong track record in brand, campaign, and multi-channel execution (agency or in-house). 
  • A portfolio that demonstrates exceptional design craft across digital, social, print, video, and brand systems.  
  • Experience managing, leading, mentoring, and developing designers, with a passion for elevating team performance.  
  • A refined design sensibility with a “laser eye” for detail, typography, layout, and visual systems.  
  • Strong understanding of how design supports storytelling, strategy, and audience engagement.  
  • Experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments while maintaining high creative standards.  
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions clearly and persuasively.  
  • A highly collaborative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement—for both the work and the team.  
  • Enthusiasm to contribute to Stand Together's vision and principled approach to solving problems, and a commitment to stewarding our culture, which champions values including transformation and innovation, entrepreneurialism, humility, and respect.
Standout Candidates Will Bring
  • Experience building and scaling brand systems across multiple channels and partners.  
  • Experience mentoring and leveling up design teams in fast-paced environments.  
  • Background in culturally driven or behavior change campaigns.  
  • Ability to balance hands-on design involvement with leadership responsibilities. 
What We Offer
  • Competitive benefits: Enjoy a 6% 401(k) match with immediate vesting, flexible time off, comprehensive health and dental plans, plus wellness and mental health support through Peloton and Talkspace. 
  • A meaningful career: Join a passionate community of over 1,300 employees dedicated to improving lives and driving innovative solutions to complex social challenges. 
  • Commitment to growth: Thrive in a non-hierarchical environment that empowers employees to discover, develop and apply their unique talents. 
  • Competitive compensation: Our approach rewards the value you create through competitive salaries and bonus opportunities, allowing you to share in the success you help drive. 

For this role, the anticipated base salary range is $125,000–$160,000 per year. This role may also be eligible for additional bonus compensation designed to align total compensation with an employee’s overall contribution to the organization. 

Our Principles-Based Management™ (PBM) compensation philosophy is grounded in an individualized approach that rewards the long-term value each person creates for the organization. Compensation decisions are informed by a variety of factors, including relevant experience, capabilities, demonstrated skills, role responsibilities, and expected contribution. Consistent with this approach, base salary may vary within or outside of the anticipated range based on these considerations. 

Our Values: Working for an organization within the Stand Together philanthropic community is different from many other places. The culture is deeply rooted in Principle Based Management® (PBM®), a framework guided by the principles that drive human progress, such as dignity, openness, and bottom-up empowerment. PBM® empowers employees to be entrepreneurial, to innovate, and to continually drive transformation.   
 
We believe diversity fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success.  That is why we’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and strive to treat all employees and applicants with honesty, dignity, and respect.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.