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Design Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Manage design development through all phases, ensuring alignment with programme milestones. * Oversee design reviews, approvals, and assurance processes. * Coordinate design inputs with planning ...

Design Manager (Remote)

Reston, VA · Remote

$120K - $135K/yr

The Manager coordinates design timelines, deliverables from internal and external stakeholders, scope changes, and associated budgets under the direction of the Vice President of Development & Design.

Design Manager (Remote)

Washington, DC · Remote

$120K - $135K/yr

The Manager coordinates design timelines, deliverables from internal and external stakeholders, scope changes, and associated budgets under the direction of the Vice President of Development & Design.

Senior Design Manager - IAD Does the thought of joining one of the fastest-growing, privately held data center companies sound exciting to you? Do you enjoy collaborating with team members to drive ...

Product Design Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$191K/yr

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

Product Design Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$191K/yr

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

Product Design Manager

Mclean, VA · On-site

$191K/yr

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

Product Design Manager We're currently seeking a Product Designer to join our Experience Design team. We're passionate about creating memorable, meaningful product experiences that build the Capital ...

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Showing results 1-20

Design Manager information

See Washington salary details

$47.6K

$129.7K

$228.2K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Washington is $129,672.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,600.00 and $163,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Design Manager in Construction Do?

A design manager oversees a design team during a project and typically works in the construction and architecture industries. As a design manager, you may work for specialty companies that contract out to construction firms on a per-project basis. Or, you may spend your career working as an in-house design manager for a construction company or architect firm. Regardless of the location of your job as a design manager, your duties revolve around supervising the design of a building project and include adhering to legislation and codes, eliminating safety and financial risks, and advising clients during development.

How does a Design Manager typically balance creative vision with project deadlines and client expectations?

A Design Manager is responsible for guiding their team's creative direction while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This often means carefully prioritizing tasks, setting clear milestones, and communicating regularly with clients and stakeholders to manage expectations. They serve as a bridge between creative teams and project managers, helping to resolve conflicts and maintain a productive workflow. By fostering open collaboration and providing constructive feedback, Design Managers help ensure both the creative vision and practical project requirements are met.

What is the highest paying job in design?

The highest paying roles in design often include Creative Directors, UX Directors, or Design Directors, especially in large corporations or tech companies. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools and strategic planning, with salaries reaching six figures or more annually.

How much does a design manager earn?

A design manager's average salary varies by location and experience but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. Factors such as industry, company size, and skill level in design tools and leadership influence compensation.

What does a designer manager do?

A design manager oversees the design team and guides the development of visual concepts for products, branding, or marketing. They coordinate projects, ensure design quality, and collaborate with other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.

What are Design Managers?

Design Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the design process within a project or organization. They coordinate and lead design teams, ensure design objectives align with business goals, and manage timelines, budgets, and resources. Design Managers often act as a bridge between creative teams and other departments, facilitating communication and ensuring that the final product meets both aesthetic and functional requirements. Their role can span across industries such as architecture, graphic design, product design, and digital media.

What is the difference between Design Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign ManagerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projectsCreates visual content, works independently or in teams
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, agency, and studio settingsCommon in advertising, publishing, branding

The main difference between a Design Manager and a Graphic Designer lies in their responsibilities and scope. Design Managers oversee design teams and strategic project planning, while Graphic Designers focus on creating visual content. Both roles require relevant design credentials, but Design Managers also need leadership experience. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as a Design Manager, you need a strong background in design principles, project management, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field and several years of design experience. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is essential. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively leading creative teams, delivering high-quality design outcomes, and meeting client or organizational goals.

What is the role of a design manager?

A design manager oversees the design team and guides the development of visual concepts, ensuring projects meet client or company standards. They coordinate with other departments, manage timelines, and often use design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Design jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Washington? For Design Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Design Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Manager job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,672 per year, or $62.3 per hour.
Design Manager

$170K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

Within our consult business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project deliveryconsultancy to unlock the potential in every project.  

The Project: 

The operator of a major international airport is considering a further update to expand the main terminal, reconfigure concourses and phase out legacy passenger transport systems. 

Shared with airline stakeholders earlier this year, the proposed programme is estimated at c.$22 billion, with completion targeted in the mid-2030s, forming part of a wider transformation to support significant long-term passenger growth. 

By comparison, the existing master plan approved in 2025 outlined c.$7 billion of phased capital investment, aligned to projections of up to 90 million annual passengers by the end of the century.

Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

  • Safety first - Going home safe and well
    - Ensure that analytical outputs consider safety-related data, trends, and performance indicators.
    - Support identification of risks or trends that may impact safe delivery outcomes.
    - Promote the use of data to inform proactive safety decision-making.

  • Client focus - Deliver on our promise
    - Provide structured analytical support to inform client decision-making and programme performance.
    - Develop and maintain dashboards, reports, and analysis that provide clear visibility into delivery status.
    - Support alignment between programme performance and strategic objectives.
    - Translate complex data into clear, concise, and actionable insights for stakeholders.

  • Integrity - Always do the right thing
    - Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across all analytical outputs.
    - Conduct structured business analysis, including performance reviews, gap analysis, and trend identification. 
    - Support development of management-level reporting, including KPIs and performance metrics. 
    - Provide transparent, auditable analysis to support governance and decision-making processes.
    - Identify risks, issues, and opportunities through structured analytical techniques.

  • Create opportunity for our people to excel
    - Promote a data-driven culture across teams and stakeholders.
    - Support capability development in analytics, reporting, and business intelligence.
    - Encourage innovation in analytical tools, methods, and reporting approaches.
    - Share insights and best practices across the programme and organisation.

You'll Be Responsible For: 

  • Establish and implement design management processes, procedures, and governance frameworks.

  • Lead coordination of multidisciplinary design teams and interfaces.

  • Manage design development through all phases, ensuring alignment with programme milestones.

  • Oversee design reviews, approvals, and assurance processes.

  • Coordinate design inputs with planning, cost, commercial, and construction teams.

  • Ensure effective management of design interfaces, dependencies, and conflicts.

  • Support value engineering and design optimisation initiatives.

  • Manage design change processes and assess impacts on programme, cost, and risk.

  • Facilitate design workshops and technical coordination meetings.

  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, standards, and client specifications.
     

You'll need to have:

  • Demonstrated experience in design management on complex infrastructure or major programmes.

  • Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design processes and coordination.

  • Experience managing design through multiple delivery stages.

  • Knowledge of construction methods, sequencing, and buildability considerations.

  • Ability to manage complex interfaces and stakeholder coordination.

  • Strong communication and leadership capability.

  • Expertise in design coordination and integration, design programme management and phasing, design assurance and review processes, and interface management across disciplines.

  • Knowledge of design systems, BIM, and digital coordination; managing documentation and approvals; integrating design with programme controls.

  • Strategic, solutions-oriented mindset with strong technical awareness.

  • Excellent stakeholder and interface management skills.

  • Experience working in regulated or complex environments.

  • Collaborative approach across multidisciplinary teams.

  • Professional qualification in engineering, architecture, or related discipline (desirable).
    Note: The estimated starting salary for this position is $170k. Starting salary may vary based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as experience, skills and qualifications.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organization.  

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.