Manager, Product Design

About the role

Figma is seeking a design leader to guide teams building the future of collaborative product creation. You will manage a group of designers while partnering with engineering and product leads to define strategy and execute on complex technical challenges. In this capacity, you will own the end-to-end design process for significant product initiatives, ensuring that your team's work aligns with the company's long-term vision and user needs. You will be responsible for cultivating a high-performing design culture where experimentation, rigorous feedback, and continuous learning are encouraged. This role requires balancing hands-on design contributions with the strategic oversight necessary to scale effective design practices across cross-functional teams. You will act as a key strategic partner to product and engineering leadership, helping to navigate ambiguity and turn complex problems into well-defined design opportunities. Your influence will extend beyond individual projects to shape the broader design standards and methodologies that drive innovation within the organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Recruit, onboard, and manage a team of high-performing designers, focusing on talent development and career growth.
• Partner with product and engineering leads to define product roadmaps and improve execution processes through structured design planning.
• Advocate for your team's product vision and user-centered insights across the entire company to ensure design impact.
• Facilitate and lead design sprints, critiques, and reviews to foster collaboration and elevate design quality.
• Maintain a hands-on approach to both strategy and execution, even while taking on increased management responsibilities.
• Establish and uphold rigorous quality standards by providing consistent coaching, feedback, and mentorship to your team.
• Navigate and thrive in experimental, fast-moving environments by embracing change and driving progress amid uncertainty.
• Utilize advanced knowledge of generative design tools, Large Language Models, and code generation workflows to enhance design outcomes.
• Drive the adoption of Figma best practices and ensure that the design system evolves to support scalable product development.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to inform design decisions and validate hypotheses throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate closely with engineering to ensure design implementations remain accurate and efficient across different platforms.
• Mentor junior designers by providing guidance, feedback, and growth opportunities that strengthen the overall team capability.
• Contribute to the strategic hiring process by defining role requirements and assessing candidates for design positions.
• Promote an inclusive and collaborative team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in design management with a demonstrated focus on building team culture and developing talent.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems through effective cross-functional collaboration with product and engineering teams.
• Proficiency with Figma tools and a track record of mentoring others in their effective use to improve team productivity.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills to influence organizational strategy and gain buy-in from stakeholders.
• Knowledge of generative design tools, LLMs, code generation, and emerging AI developments relevant to the design process.
• Ability to work effectively in ambiguous, rapidly shifting environments while maintaining clarity and direction for your team.
• Experience managing fully remote or hybrid design teams and fostering strong working relationships without constant in-person interaction.
• Commitment to adhering to equal opportunity employment practices and ensuring that all applicants are considered fairly.

Nice to have

• Experience with zero-to-one projects or the creation of new creative tooling from the ground up.
• Background in shipping products powered by AI or machine learning, with an understanding of related design challenges.
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a willingness to experiment with new methodologies and processes.
• Familiarity with modern product development workflows that integrate AI-assisted design and rapid prototyping.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position with compensation that includes equity, an annual bonus plan, and a comprehensive benefits package covering health, dental, vision, retirement, and parental leave.
• Benefits also include flexible PTO, sick leave, mental health support, home internet/cell phone reimbursements, and lifestyle spending accounts.
• Candidates must keep cameras on during video interviews as part of the hiring process.
• In-person onboarding is required upon hire to ensure alignment and integration with the company culture.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities by contacting accommodations-ext@figma.com.
• All applicants are considered regardless of background, in strict accordance with equal opportunity laws and company policies.