Design Program Manager
Nashville Public Radio, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Overview
Robert Half is partnering with our client, a global leader in digital entertainment and streaming, to identify a Senior Design Program Manager to support a high-impact Experience Design organization.
This role is a force multiplier across the design studio, providing strategic and operational leadership to studio-wide programs, rhythms, and initiatives that amplify team effectiveness, creative impact, and internal community.
Location:
Culver City, CA (Hybrid / Remote Flexible)
Duration:
9-month contract
Hours:
40 hours/week with potential for overtime (approximately 5 hours/week for studio open houses and events)
Pay Rate:
$80–83/hour
Position Overview:
The Senior Design Program Manager will play a critical role in driving the rhythm of the business for a large, multidisciplinary design studio. This role is ideal for a program leader who has
built internal programs from the ground up
and thrives at the intersection of
operations, community development, and thought leadership .
You will partner closely with studio leadership, business strategy, design operations, and cross-functional stakeholders to design and scale
internal programs, events, and experiences
that strengthen studio culture, elevate design craft, and foster a strong internal design community. This role requires a highly organized, ownership-driven leader who can translate vision into action in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
Oversee and manage day-to-day operations for the Design Studio in partnership with studio leadership, business strategy, UX leadership, and Design Operations
Design, build, and scale internal studio programs from scratch , including frameworks for engagement, learning, and community
Drive planning and execution of monthly studio meetings, annual studio summits, and
large-scale, in-person internal events
hosted within the design organization
Lead studio-wide
community-building and design thought leadership initiatives , including internal design programming, speaker series, and studio open houses
Own studio communications, including a monthly newsletter and evergreen documentation such as internal wikis, org charts, and shared resources
Act as a central connector across the broader product, design, and employee engagement communities
Foster studio culture through onboarding programs, learning series, studio rituals, and organizational health initiatives
Oversee third-party budget management (outsourcing, tooling, research), including PO creation, budget tracking, and reporting to finance and leadership
Plan and execute special projects aligned with executive priorities and long-term strategic goals
Manage intake and planning for executive-level visual design resources, including sprint planning and prioritization
Qualifications
6+ years of experience in design program management, program management, or operations
Demonstrated experience supporting design, UX, or creative organizations
Proven ability to create and run internal programs , ideally within a design or creative department
Strong experience planning and executing
large-scale internal events , including physical, in-person programming
Strong command of project and program management tools, with the ability to ramp quickly on new systems
Experience managing budgets, vendors, and third-party partners
Preferred Experience
Experience
building or shaping a design program, team, or community from the ground up
Background in community development, internal engagement, or design evangelism
Partnering closely with executive and senior design leadership
Strong cross-functional stakeholder management skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities
Understanding of UX design processes and software development lifecycles
Experience working with distributed teams across multiple time zones
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Robert Half is partnering with our client, a global leader in digital entertainment and streaming, to identify a Senior Design Program Manager to support a high-impact Experience Design organization.
This role is a force multiplier across the design studio, providing strategic and operational leadership to studio-wide programs, rhythms, and initiatives that amplify team effectiveness, creative impact, and internal community.
Location:
Culver City, CA (Hybrid / Remote Flexible)
Duration:
9-month contract
Hours:
40 hours/week with potential for overtime (approximately 5 hours/week for studio open houses and events)
Pay Rate:
$80–83/hour
Position Overview:
The Senior Design Program Manager will play a critical role in driving the rhythm of the business for a large, multidisciplinary design studio. This role is ideal for a program leader who has
built internal programs from the ground up
and thrives at the intersection of
operations, community development, and thought leadership .
You will partner closely with studio leadership, business strategy, design operations, and cross-functional stakeholders to design and scale
internal programs, events, and experiences
that strengthen studio culture, elevate design craft, and foster a strong internal design community. This role requires a highly organized, ownership-driven leader who can translate vision into action in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
Oversee and manage day-to-day operations for the Design Studio in partnership with studio leadership, business strategy, UX leadership, and Design Operations
Design, build, and scale internal studio programs from scratch , including frameworks for engagement, learning, and community
Drive planning and execution of monthly studio meetings, annual studio summits, and
large-scale, in-person internal events
hosted within the design organization
Lead studio-wide
community-building and design thought leadership initiatives , including internal design programming, speaker series, and studio open houses
Own studio communications, including a monthly newsletter and evergreen documentation such as internal wikis, org charts, and shared resources
Act as a central connector across the broader product, design, and employee engagement communities
Foster studio culture through onboarding programs, learning series, studio rituals, and organizational health initiatives
Oversee third-party budget management (outsourcing, tooling, research), including PO creation, budget tracking, and reporting to finance and leadership
Plan and execute special projects aligned with executive priorities and long-term strategic goals
Manage intake and planning for executive-level visual design resources, including sprint planning and prioritization
Qualifications
6+ years of experience in design program management, program management, or operations
Demonstrated experience supporting design, UX, or creative organizations
Proven ability to create and run internal programs , ideally within a design or creative department
Strong experience planning and executing
large-scale internal events , including physical, in-person programming
Strong command of project and program management tools, with the ability to ramp quickly on new systems
Experience managing budgets, vendors, and third-party partners
Preferred Experience
Experience
building or shaping a design program, team, or community from the ground up
Background in community development, internal engagement, or design evangelism
Partnering closely with executive and senior design leadership
Strong cross-functional stakeholder management skills
Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities
Understanding of UX design processes and software development lifecycles
Experience working with distributed teams across multiple time zones
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