Design Department Manager Job Description

A design department manager is an integral part of an in-house creative team. They are frequently the liaison between company managers that control the budget and the individual designers who are responsible for creating consistency for said company's brand. While design can be daring and exciting, the design department manager's focus should also include adding to the corporate bottom line.

Education

Preferably, a design department manager would have a Bachelor's degree in graphic design and some type of business degree or equivalent experience. Design management tends to deal more with taking client briefs and budgeting, scheduling, and improving client relations so a business edge is wise.

Skills Required

It is helpful if the design department manager has previous graphic design experience. Communication between designers and creative managers is crucial to achieving a finished project that the client adores and which produces the desired outcome---increasing sales, generating awareness, improving brand identity.

Responsibilities

Project management experience is necessary in a design department manager position. Tracking multiple projects and exploring competing brands through market research is a major job function as well. At the end of the day, the design department manager's job is to create effective advertising strategies to encourage consumers to use the company's products.

Career Opportunities

In addition to corporate in-house positions, design department manager careers can be had in colleges and universities (many have their own on-site print shops), government institutions, and advertising agencies. Senior graphic designers are often promoted to the design department manager position after proving excellence with the company's branding and exhibiting good management style.

Salary Range

It is fair to say that salaries in the design industry vary depending on location and whether or not you are employed for a company large enough to give bonuses and other benefits. The standard annual salary for a design department manager would be greater than a senior designer but less than a studio design manager (who is more hands-on with the creative workers). According to Aquent's annual salary guide the median salary for 2008 is $75,000.

References

• Aquent Salary Survey