Design Manager Jobs in Tennessee
Design Manager jobs in Tennessee are active across the state's growing technology, healthcare, and consumer goods sectors, with openings at every level from junior design lead through senior director. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville see the heaviest hiring, anchored by employers like HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and Eastman Chemical who maintain substantial design and product teams in Tennessee. The most in-demand specialties are UX and product design management, brand and marketing design leadership, and interior or architectural design management tied to Tennessee's construction and hospitality growth. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 34+ Design Manager jobs
- Interface with ownership, department leadership, and stakeholders to ensure design alignment with brand standards, values, and strategic objectives while maximizing ROI and enhancing guest environments.
- Oversee projects from initial requirements gathering through final deployment, defining schedules, scope, budget estimates, implementation strategies, and risk mitigation plans while coordinating internal and external resources.
- Strategize with leadership to create project design briefs that execute corporate design standards and meet market expectations. Source and conceptualize design direction through visual and verbal presentations.
- Provide comprehensive understanding of technical design, including detailed design drawing sets, specifications, finishes, and shop drawings from concept to execution.
- Establish and maintain design schedules for internal departmental coordination and external project control measures. Monitor project progress regularly, and adjust scope, timeline, or budget as needed to meet objectives and deliverables.
- Lead or participate in key design coordination and construction meetings, onsite field coordination and OACs while representing design priorities and providing project-specific solutions.
- Apply analytical skills and creativity to resolve individual site conditions and anomalies during implementation.
- Source products, design techniques, and production methods relevant to hospitality trends and corporate needs.
- Maintain industry relationships to assist with procurement. Establish FF&E delivery and installation schedule to ensure on-time delivery for project opening.
- Collaborate with project teams throughout project lifecycle to ensure adherence to bran standards, review shop drawings, specifications, product reviews, and value engineering of materials and finishes.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with all consultants, vendors, and onsite operations team members. Promote a positive work environment.
- Perform other duties as required.
- Degree in Architecture, Interior Design or related field preferred
- 6+ years of experience with interior and architectural design in retail, hospitality, or restaurant design, working with design agencies and/or development organizations
- Management experience in the design delivery of all-inclusive hotels and resort environments preferred
- Experience applying preliminary site planning principles and a high level of design competence and expertise in FF&E
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to convey design solutions,
describe vision, and explain programmatic, technical, and regulatory constraints - Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal stakeholders and external partners and provide assistance, technical guidance, and training to peers
- Must be results-driven in terms of budget, schedule and quality and capable of managing multiple projects and deliverables concurrently and within expected timelines
- Sense of accountability for projects and deliverables while producing consistently high-quality work
- Willingness to travel domestically up to 20% as necessary
- Strong proficiency in interpreting shop drawings, elevation mock-ups, and utilizing 3D modeling tools. Proficient in Bluebeam Revu, Adobe Creative Suite, Procore, and Plan Grid. Other visual media experience is a plus
- Strong Microsoft Project, Planner, and Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) skills necessary
- Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record required
- Interface with ownership, department leadership, and stakeholders to ensure design alignment with brand standards, values, and strategic objectives while maximizing ROI and enhancing guest environments.
- Oversee projects from initial requirements gathering through final deployment, defining schedules, scope, budget estimates, implementation strategies, and risk mitigation plans while coordinating internal and external resources.
- Strategize with leadership to create project design briefs that execute corporate design standards and meet market expectations. Source and conceptualize design direction through visual and verbal presentations.
- Provide comprehensive understanding of technical design, including detailed design drawing sets, specifications, finishes, and shop drawings from concept to execution.
- Establish and maintain design schedules for internal departmental coordination and external project control measures. Monitor project progress regularly, and adjust scope, timeline, or budget as needed to meet objectives and deliverables.
- Lead or participate in key design coordination and construction meetings, onsite field coordination and OACs while representing design priorities and providing project-specific solutions.
- Apply analytical skills and creativity to resolve individual site conditions and anomalies during implementation.
- Source products, design techniques, and production methods relevant to hospitality trends and corporate needs.
- Maintain industry relationships to assist with procurement. Establish FF&E delivery and installation schedule to ensure on-time delivery for project opening.
- Collaborate with project teams throughout project lifecycle to ensure adherence to bran standards, review shop drawings, specifications, product reviews, and value engineering of materials and finishes.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with all consultants, vendors, and onsite operations team members. Promote a positive work environment.
- Perform other duties as required.
- Degree in Architecture, Interior Design or related field preferred
- 6+ years of experience with interior and architectural design in retail, hospitality, or restaurant design, working with design agencies and/or development organizations
- Management experience in the design delivery of all-inclusive hotels and resort environments preferred
- Experience applying preliminary site planning principles and a high level of design competence and expertise in FF&E
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills to convey design solutions,
describe vision, and explain programmatic, technical, and regulatory constraints - Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal stakeholders and external partners and provide assistance, technical guidance, and training to peers
- Must be results-driven in terms of budget, schedule and quality and capable of managing multiple projects and deliverables concurrently and within expected timelines
- Sense of accountability for projects and deliverables while producing consistently high-quality work
- Willingness to travel domestically up to 20% as necessary
- Strong proficiency in interpreting shop drawings, elevation mock-ups, and utilizing 3D modeling tools. Proficient in Bluebeam Revu, Adobe Creative Suite, Procore, and Plan Grid. Other visual media experience is a plus
- Strong Microsoft Project, Planner, and Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) skills necessary
- Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record required
See All 34 Design Manager Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Manager JobsDesign Manager Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Manager Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design manager jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in design, graphic design, industrial design, or a related field
- Five or more years of professional design experience with at least two in a leadership role
- Demonstrated portfolio showing creative direction, team management, and delivered projects
- Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Figma
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with product, marketing, and engineering teams
- Strong communication skills for presenting design strategy to executive and client stakeholders
Design Manager Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design manager in Tennessee?
Design manager roles in Tennessee do not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a bachelor's degree in design, visual communications, or a closely related discipline, followed by several years of hands-on design work before moving into management. Building a strong portfolio that documents both creative output and team leadership is the primary credential Tennessee hiring teams evaluate. Pursuing certifications from recognized design organizations such as the AIGA or product-focused credentials can strengthen a candidacy.
How much do design managers make in Tennessee?
Design managers in Tennessee earn a median of about $89,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,530 for the lowest 10% to over $172,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design managers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring design managers in Tennessee right now include Ferrovial, Oracle, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's mix of healthcare systems, logistics companies, and growing technology firms creates consistent demand for design leaders across both in-house brand teams and product organizations.
Which Tennessee cities have the most design manager jobs?
Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis account for the largest share of design manager openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives the most volume as the state's corporate headquarters hub, with large employers in healthcare, entertainment, and technology concentrated there, while Memphis's logistics and consumer goods sector adds steady demand and Knoxville's technology and university presence supports a smaller but consistent market.
Are there remote design manager jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and more than many management roles, since design work is largely screen-based and easily conducted remotely. About 78% of design manager openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting broader industry trends toward flexible creative teams. The most remote-friendly subspecialties are UX and digital product design management, while roles overseeing physical environments or on-site production teams typically require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a design manager in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a team lead or senior designer role first, then stepping up internally. Large Tennessee employers like HCA Healthcare and FedEx run structured associate and rotational programs that place early-career designers on cross-functional teams where leadership opportunities emerge. Building a portfolio that includes examples of mentoring peers, directing freelancers, or owning a project end-to-end signals readiness even without a formal title. Adjacent roles such as art director, creative lead, or senior UX designer at Tennessee agencies or in-house studios are common stepping stones.
Where can I find and apply to design manager jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to design manager jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly.
See All 34 Design Manager Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Manager Jobs