Design Manager Jobs in Ohio
Design Manager jobs in Ohio are consistently active, with demand concentrated in consumer products, architecture and interiors, digital product design, and manufacturing-adjacent UX roles at every level from junior design lead through senior creative director. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati generate the largest share of postings, anchored by employers such as Procter and Gamble, Nationwide, and Sherwin-Williams, which maintain long-standing design functions in the state. The most in-demand specialties are UX and product design management, brand and visual identity leadership, and interior or environmental design management tied to Ohio's strong commercial construction sector. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 43+ Design Manager jobs
The Studio Manager is a key member of the Ware Malcomb senior management team, responsible for supporting the Principal or Director in the areas of growth, revenue, profitability, project management, design, staff management and client relationships for their market area. You will be responsible for nurturing a positive, team-oriented environment, ensuring financial goals and deadlines are being met, and assisting the office leader in business development.
Your Role
- Leading, mentoring and training staff
- Responsible for new project proposals and overall financial health of projects
- Assist in responding to RFQ/RFPs and participate in business development efforts.
- Manage client relationships, actively pursue additional and new business.
- Oversee projects for the Interior Architecture & Design group
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience within the field of interior design/architecture with at least two years at the Project Manager or Senior Project Manager level
- Preferred experience in a leadership role
- Experience working on commercial interior design projects, including workplace/corporate interiors, retail or other commercial
- Experience developing and maintaining client relationships.
- Business Development experience and strong local network preferred.
- Registered Interior Designer or NCIDQ Certification strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or related field
- CAD and Revit knowledge
- Ability to lead and foster a team environment
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
The Studio Manager is a key member of the Ware Malcomb senior management team, responsible for supporting the Principal or Director in the areas of growth, revenue, profitability, project management, design, staff management and client relationships for their market area. You will be responsible for nurturing a positive, team-oriented environment, ensuring financial goals and deadlines are being met, and assisting the office leader in business development.
Your Role
- Leading, mentoring and training staff
- Responsible for new project proposals and overall financial health of projects
- Assist in responding to RFQ/RFPs and participate in business development efforts.
- Manage client relationships, actively pursue additional and new business.
- Oversee projects for the Interior Architecture & Design group
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience within the field of interior design/architecture with at least two years at the Project Manager or Senior Project Manager level
- Preferred experience in a leadership role
- Experience working on commercial interior design projects, including workplace/corporate interiors, retail or other commercial
- Experience developing and maintaining client relationships.
- Business Development experience and strong local network preferred.
- Registered Interior Designer or NCIDQ Certification strongly preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or related field
- CAD and Revit knowledge
- Ability to lead and foster a team environment
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 43 Design Manager Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Manager JobsDesign Manager Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Manager Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Retail
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
- Construction & Real Estate
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design manager jobs across Ohio.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, industrial design, or a related design discipline required
- Five or more years of professional design experience with at least two in a leadership role
- Demonstrated ability to manage and develop a team of designers across multiple projects
- Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or Sketch
- Experience collaborating with product, marketing, or engineering stakeholders on cross-functional projects
- Portfolio showcasing end-to-end design projects delivered under your direct management
Design Manager Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design manager in Ohio?
Design management in Ohio does not require a state-issued license, so the path runs through education and demonstrated leadership experience. Most Ohio employers expect a bachelor's degree in graphic design, industrial design, UX, or a related field, typically from programs at schools such as Columbus College of Art and Design or the Cleveland Institute of Art. From there, candidates advance by taking on team lead roles, building a portfolio of managed projects, and earning credentials such as the Certified Design Professional designation through the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
How much do design managers make in Ohio?
Design managers in Ohio earn a median of about $94,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $57,740 for the lowest 10% to over $148,080 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design managers in Ohio?
Employers hiring design managers in Ohio right now include OhioHealth, EMCOR, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Ohio's mix of consumer goods headquarters, regional financial institutions, and growing tech and healthcare sectors creates steady, broad-based demand for design management talent.
Which Ohio cities have the most design manager jobs?
Columbus, Cincinnati, and Ohio account for the most design manager openings in Ohio. Columbus leads because of its concentration of tech startups, insurance and financial services headquarters, and retail brands, while Cincinnati's consumer goods and marketing industry presence, led by firms like Procter and Gamble, drives consistent demand, and Cleveland's healthcare systems and manufacturing base add a steady stream of UX and product design leadership roles.
Are there remote design manager jobs in Ohio?
Yes, and more than many management fields. About 54% of design manager openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the discipline's reliance on digital tools and async collaboration. The parts of the role most likely to remain fully remote are digital product design and UX strategy, while brand, environmental, and manufacturing-adjacent design management tends to require more on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a design manager in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a team lead or senior designer role at a mid-size Ohio employer before stepping into formal management. Large Ohio employers such as Nationwide, Progressive, and Sherwin-Williams regularly hire senior individual contributors who grow into people management, and Columbus College of Art and Design and the Cleveland Institute of Art often facilitate connections to local employer programs for recent graduates. Building a portfolio that includes cross-functional projects and mentoring experience, alongside an AIGA membership or a UX certification, gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for first-time management roles.
Where can I find and apply to design manager jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to design manager jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employer through each listing.
See All 43 Design Manager Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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