Design System Manager

Overview

Calling all passionate Design Systems leaders! We’re seeking a visionary leader to revolutionize our company’s approach to design systems. This is a transformative opportunity to build and manage a growing team, shaping the future of our design language at a global scale.

The Opportunity:

• Lead a dynamic team of 3 designers, with the potential for significant team and budget growth in the coming years.
• Spearhead a fresh approach to managing our existing design system, currently housed within the Engineering organization but with close collaboration with the UX Leadership Team.
• Champion the design system’s future – will it become a core product or a cornerstone of design governance? Partner with stakeholders to determine the optimal structure.
• Refine messaging and collaboration processes between the design system team and product teams.

You’re a Perfect Fit if You Have:

• Extensive experience creating and managing design systems at scale, ideally with a global reach.
• A proven track record of resetting design system messaging and fostering collaboration across teams.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and develop a growing team.
• A passion for innovation and a desire to push the boundaries of design systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of our design system, ensuring it aligns with the overall design strategy and business objectives.
• Establish a measurement plan for design system KPIs to track and continually improve design system ROI.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, developers, and product managers, to integrate the design system seamlessly into the product development lifecycle.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for the design system, including guidelines, components, and patterns, to facilitate easy adoption by the wider team.
• Provide training and support to product teams on the effective use of the design system, promoting its adoption and adherence to established standards.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure design system components and patterns meet quality standards, addressing inconsistencies and refining as needed.
• Keep abreast of industry trends, emerging design patterns, and best practices to continuously improve the design system and enhance the overall user experience.
• Establish and enforce governance processes to support product design innovation while maintaining consistency and ensuring the ongoing success of the design system.
• Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Proven experience as a Design System Manager or in a similar role, demonstrating successful design system implementations in complex enterprise organizations.
• Strong proficiency in design tools such as Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.
• Solid understanding of design principles, usability, and accessibility standards.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on maintaining consistency and high design standards.
• Ability to lead and inspire a team, fostering a culture of design excellence, and being open to feedback and collaboration.

This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to shape the way our client designs and delivers products. Apply today to become the architect of a truly transformative design system!

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $68 to $75. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.  If applicable add additional language: Additional benefits offered may include; medical health insurance and dental insurance, life insurance, and eligibility to participate in 401k plan with company match.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. 

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! 

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.