Design Program Manager

Aquent has an EXCITING opportunity for a Design Program Manager, with an emphasis in Design Systems!

This position is 100% remote within the United States. We will only consider candidates who currently live in the United States.

In addition, to be considered for this role, you must:

• Be authorized to work in the United States.
• Not require sponsorship of any kind for the duration of the contract/assignment. No C2C is permitted for this position.

Our client is seeking a Sr. Design Program Manager for the Design Systems team to build for the future by creating an ecosystem and central design system that drives growth across the company. You will collaborate closely with design, product, marketing, engineering, research, and business teams to ensure that innovative thinking is aligned with company goals and contributes to long-term growth. You will manage the operational execution of high-impact design projects and ensure continuous optimization of design processes, with a focus on experimentation and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the design system across multiple product teams, ensuring consistency and scalability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, engineering, product) to integrate and align the design system with overall product strategies and user needs.
• Define and drive the design system roadmap, prioritizing features, updates, and technical improvements to support product evolution.
• Establish governance processes and guidelines to maintain the integrity of the design system, ensuring adoption and adherence across teams.
• Advocate for the design system, providing training, documentation, and ongoing support to empower teams and ensure successful utilization.
• Facilitate smooth engineering handoffs by ensuring design specifications, assets, and documentation are clear, accessible, and actionable for development teams.

Qualifications

• Experience working with product teams or programs from roadmapping through delivery.
• Proven expertise in collaborating with senior leadership, UX/UI designers, engineers, and product teams to deliver high-quality design systems that align with business and user goals.
• Extensive experience in program management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum) with a deep understanding of design tools (Figma, Sketch, etc.) and version control systems (GitHub, Abstract).
• In-depth knowledge of design system terminology and concepts, including design tokens, components, patterns, and atomic design principles, with the ability to drive their practical implementation and scalability.
• 7+ years of experience in design operations, design program management, or a similar role within a fast-paced environment.
• Expert in applying user-centered design methodologies, design thinking, and inclusive design best practices to product development.
• A proactive approach to work, comfortable in ambiguity with an ability to get work organized and completed.
• Experience with design tools and project management software (e.g., Asana, Figma, Jira).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with a focus on growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration or related field.
• Experience in the fintech industry.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $81.81 to $90.91 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

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.