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Senior Design Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

STV is currently looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Buildings team in our Los Angeles, CA location. About STV STV is a nationally recognized leader in architecture, engineering, planning ...

Discover your exciting role The Senior Design Manager, with expertise in Biopharma Life Sciences, will oversee a multidisciplinary project design team-comprising engineers, designers, and support ...

We are seeking a senior Design (DfMA) leader who brings deep technical expertise, strong people ... As both a technical leader and people manager, you'll mentor teams, drive continuous improvement ...

Jun 4, 2026 Senior Design Manager - Color & Materials (Footwear) We are seeking a highly creative and experienced Senior Design Manager to lead a dynamic Color & Materials team focused on footwear ...

Senior Design Manager

Atlanta, IL · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

As our Senior Design Manager, you are helping write it. You will be the creative engine behind a new product category, sitting at the intersection of real estate, design, construction, and operations ...

Manage technical employees, work planning, technical design management and oversight, project delivery, quality management, contract administration, change management, and risk management. This ...

Manage technical employees, work planning, technical design management and oversight, project delivery, quality management, contract administration, change management, and risk management. This ...

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Senior Design Manager information

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$68K

$145.7K

$200K

How much do senior design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior design manager in the United States is $145,689.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,500.00 and $171,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a senior Design Manager make?

A Senior Design Manager typically earns between $130,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, company size, and industry. Compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, and benefits, with higher salaries often found in tech and large corporations.

What is the difference between Senior Design Manager vs Design Director?

AspectSenior Design ManagerDesign Director
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Architecture, or related field; experience in project managementSimilar educational background; often more extensive experience and leadership credentials
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams on multiple projects, collaborates with clients and stakeholdersOversees entire design departments, sets strategic vision, and manages senior teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in architecture, product, and interior design firmsTypically found in larger organizations with broader strategic responsibilities

The main difference between a Senior Design Manager and a Design Director lies in scope and strategic influence. Senior Design Managers focus on managing design teams and project execution, while Design Directors oversee overall design strategy and department leadership, often with higher-level responsibilities.

Is a senior manager a high position?

A senior design manager is a high-level leadership role responsible for overseeing design teams, setting strategic direction, and ensuring project success. It typically requires extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and often involves managing budgets and cross-functional collaboration.

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

As a Senior Design Manager, you will work closely with product managers, engineers, marketing, and other stakeholders throughout the design process. Effective collaboration involves facilitating design reviews, ensuring alignment between business objectives and creative direction, and proactively seeking feedback from multiple departments. You’ll often act as a bridge between the design team and other functions, translating technical or business requirements into actionable design solutions. This collaborative dynamic is essential for delivering cohesive, user-centered products and achieving shared project goals.

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

To thrive as a Senior Design Manager, you need advanced design expertise, leadership experience, and a strong portfolio, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management platforms such as Asana or Jira is typically required. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and stakeholder management skills set top performers apart. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality design solutions, leading creative teams, and aligning design objectives with business goals.

What are Senior Design Managers?

Senior Design Managers are experienced professionals who lead and oversee design teams within an organization. They are responsible for setting design strategies, managing multiple projects, mentoring designers, and ensuring that design outputs align with business objectives. Senior Design Managers collaborate with stakeholders across departments, drive innovation, and maintain high-quality standards in all design processes. Their role is crucial in bridging creative vision with practical execution, ensuring that projects meet both user needs and business goals.

What is the highest paying job in design?

The highest paying roles in design often include Creative Directors, UX Directors, and 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 into six figures or higher.
More about Senior Design Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Design Manager jobs? Cities with the most Senior Design Manager job openings:
What states have the most Senior Design Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Design Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Design Manager job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,689 per year, or $70 per hour.
Senior Design Manager/Architect

Senior Design Manager/Architect

STV

Los Angeles, CA • Hybrid

$179K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

STV is currently looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Buildings team in our Los Angeles, CA location.


About STV

STV is a nationally recognized leader in architecture, engineering, planning, and program management services. For more than 100 years, we've delivered innovative solutions that shape communities and improve the quality of life. Our reputation is built on technical excellence, integrity, and a commitment to client success. STV's Buildings group partners with major national, regional and local clients to design and deliver impactful, sustainable, and resilient buildings and places across the nation. From complex transit projects to community-focused buildings that help our cities run, we combine cutting-edge technology with deep local expertise to meet the region's most critical infrastructure needs. Our team thrives on collaboration, innovation, and delivering projects that make a lasting impact.

Your new role:

As a Senior Design Manager, you will work with autonomy and agency in leading the execution of a variety of project types and sizes. This role works in close partnership with our clients, our Commercial Manager and multidisciplinary team to ensure successful project delivery aligned with STV's established quality, schedule, and budget expectations.

You will provide leadership and oversight throughout all phases of design, ensuring that deliverables are coordinated, constructible, and compliant with applicable codes and client requirements. This role serves as a key point of contact for both internal teams and clients, maintaining alignment, managing risk, and driving high-quality outcomes consistent with STV's QA/QC framework and project delivery standards.

What You'll do:

  • Project focused

    • Lead coordination and communication with clients, agency stakeholders, contractors, and external consultants, supporting strong and collaborative working relationships.

    • Direct design planning and interdisciplinary coordination from project initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and delivery approach.

    • Partner with the Commercial Manager to monitor project financial performance, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies.

    • Support development and maintenance of project schedules, budgets, and staffing plans, ensuring design execution aligns with contract requirements and STV internal QA/QC processes.

    • Ensure compliance with applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, sustainability goals, and client standards.

    • Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams and client stakeholders to manage expectations, facilitate timely decisions, and secure required approvals.

    • Review project financial information and support Commercial Manager in maintaining alignment between design execution and budget expectations.

    • Oversee preparation, coordination, and review of design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and reports, ensuring consistency and quality.

    • Serve as a liaison with agencies having jurisdiction and support public outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts, as required

    • Lead and manage design teams by assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability for deliverables.

    • Prepare and review proposals, contracts, and consultant agreements.

  • Business Development related:

    • Support proposals, including development of project approaches, staffing strategies, and delivery methodologies in coordination with pursuit teams.

    • Participate in firm marketing, proposal writing, project interviewsand cultivate long term client relationships

    • Represent STV at external organizations and events to strengthen local market presence.

  • Team and Studio leadership

    • Mentor junior staff and contribute to the development of technical capabilities and overall team performance.

What You Bring:

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture or higher

  • Licensure: Active California-licensed Registered Architect.

  • Experience: 15+ years in design, including project and design management responsibilities within the past 7 years.

  • Technical proficiency: Working knowledge of industry standard digital delivery tools like BIM, CAD, Bluebeam etc.

  • Leadership skills: Proven track record in budget/schedule control, technical coordination, communication, negotiation, and project oversight.

  • Experience within transportation, civic or public sector projects required.

Apply today and help define what's next for STV!

#LIJS1 #hybrid

Compensation Range:

$179,925.15 - $205,628.74

STV offers the following benefits Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account Dental insurance Vision insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) Disability insurance Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment 401(k) Plan Retirement Counseling Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) Paid Holidays (9 days) Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) Continuing Education Program Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV's work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don't always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.