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Designer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SEDAA

Instructional Designer Lead

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $90K/yr

Sr. Instructional Designer Job Type: Contract Work Location: Livermore, CA HYBRID(90% REMOTE / 10% ... Manage project execution ensuring deliverables are completed on time, within budget. Facilitate key ...

WATG

Senior Project Urban Designer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

The position works closely with Project Managers, or depending on project size and complexity, Senior Project Urban Designers may act as Project Managers themselves to drive the delivery of project ...

WATG

Senior Project Urban Designer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

The position works closely with Project Managers, or depending on project size and complexity, Senior Project Urban Designers may act as Project Managers themselves to drive the delivery of project ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

Staffingine LLC

Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site

A Designer uses multiple creative and project management tools (Figma, Slack, Asana, misc Ai tools) to deliver high-bar design for predictable and/or repeated projects with general guidance from a ...

Crate & Barrel Holdings

Designer

West Hollywood, CA · On-site

... manager. * Stays informed with the marketplace and industry trends * Actively listen to the ... designer rewards Design Trade Program, CB2 credit card and gift registry) * Support and model ...

Crateandbarrel

Designer

West Hollywood, CA

... manager. * Stays informed with the marketplace and industry trends * Actively listen to the ... designer rewards Design Trade Program, CB2 credit card and gift registry) * Support and model ...

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All JobsDesigner JobsDesigner Manager JobsDesigner Manager Jobs in California

Designer Manager information

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$52.8K

$114.5K

$147.5K

How much do designer manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for designer manager in California is $114,496.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Designer Manager?

A Designer Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing a team of designers, ensuring that design projects align with company goals and are delivered on time. They manage workflows, mentor team members, and facilitate collaboration between designers and other departments such as marketing and product development. Designer Managers often set creative direction, provide feedback, and help resolve any design-related challenges. Their role is crucial in maintaining design quality and fostering innovation within an organization.

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

To thrive as a Designer Manager, you need a solid background in design principles, team leadership experience, and often a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is typically required. Strong communication, mentoring abilities, and creative problem-solving skills help you lead and inspire design teams. These skills are important for delivering high-quality design solutions, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring projects meet client or business objectives.

How much does a Design Manager earn?

A Design Manager's salary typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those in high-demand markets may offer higher compensation, and strong leadership and project management skills can influence earning potential.

How does a Designer Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Designer Manager, you will frequently work alongside product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to ensure design solutions align with business goals and user needs. This role requires facilitating effective communication between design and other departments, managing feedback loops, and helping prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines. Designer Managers often lead design reviews, advocate for user-centered design, and ensure that team members have the resources and support needed to deliver high-quality work. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparency are key to fostering a collaborative environment.

What does a designer manager do?

A designer manager oversees design teams and projects, ensuring creative work aligns with company goals and client needs. They coordinate between designers, stakeholders, and other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or project management software. The role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of design principles.

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 between designers, stakeholders, and other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. The role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of design principles and project management.

What is the difference between Designer Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesigner ManagerGraphic Designer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees design teams, manages projectsCreates visual content, works on design projects
Industry UsageUsed in agencies, corporate teams, studiosUsed across marketing, advertising, media

The main difference is that a Designer Manager oversees design teams and manages projects, while a Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content. The Designer Manager has additional responsibilities in leadership and project coordination, whereas the Graphic Designer specializes in producing designs. Both roles require design skills, but the Manager role emphasizes team management and strategic planning.

What job makes 10,000 a month without a degree?

A freelance designer manager can potentially earn $10,000 or more per month by managing design teams, coordinating projects, and utilizing skills in graphic design, branding, and project management. Success depends on experience, client base, and ability to deliver high-quality work independently.
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Designer Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Designer Manager job openings:
Designer Manager jobs near you
Senior Product Designer (US Based)

Senior Product Designer (US Based)

Flodesk

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$160K - $190K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Join Flodesk's Product Design team where you'll play a role in translating the wants and needs of members into flows, features, and experiences. Reporting to the Senior Product Designer Manager, and working amongst a small team of Product Designers, this role is based out of Menlo Park and requires the ability to work in the office 2 days a week. You'll collaborate with the product team, also based in the West Coast, designers in Europe, and our Vietnam based engineering team. If you have an excellent visual eye, can think holistically, and have a knack for beautiful, simple, clever solutions, we want to hear from you!

What you'll do:

  • Deliver simple, beautiful, and intelligent product experiences
  • Think holistically, ensuring consistency across our product surfaces (Emails, Forms, Workflows, Checkouts, and more)
  • Create flows, prototypes, and high-fidelity visuals for the features being built
  • Contribute to the overall product and design direction of Flodesk
  • Collaborate with the brand team to build our templates, translating static print-like designs into dynamic, editable templates that look good in various configurations and across devices
  • Maintain visual consistency with the Flodesk brand experience
  • Help shape experiences used every day by entrepreneurs and small businesses
  • Collaborate with:
    • The product team for each feature/initiative 
    • The engineering team for smooth handoffs, QA, high-quality implementation, and iterative design
    • The brand team for template design and in-product brand moments
  • Help with hiring, and establishing a design culture within the company

What you bring:

  • 8+  years experience as a product designer in a design-forward SaaS company
  • Great visual eye and seek out references to inspire your work
  • Always looking for the simplest, most elegant and clever solutions
  • Comfortable collaborating with multiple teams across different time zones
  • Growth mindset. Here to learn and grow through continuous productive feedback.
  • Excellence over ego. This means searching for the best solution that serves our members' needs. You want to get an A+ with our members, first and foremost, and seek their feedback to guide your work.

What we bring:

  • Salary: $160,000- $190,000
  • Home-office setup: $1,200 + MacBook Pro + external monitor
  • Monthly internet stipend
  • Stock options
  • $1,000 yearly learning budget
  • Fully paid health insurance
  • 16 weeks paid parental leave
  • Unlimited flexible time off
  • 401k match (US employees only)

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