Design Program Manager

Ford Motor Company

Design Program Manager streamlining Ford’s digital product design programs. Coordinating cross-functional teams, risks, processes, and delivery of customer-focused vehicle experiences.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $115,000 - $232,700 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in project and program management within creative environments, effectively leading cross-functional teams and managing large-scale projects from inception to completion. Proficient in Agile and Lean methodologies, with strong communication skills to present project status and insights to stakeholders at all levels.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Project ManagementAgile MethodologiesCross-Functional Team LeadershipStakeholder ManagementDesign Systems

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Project ManagementAgile MethodologiesLean MethodologiesJiraProcess DocumentationRisk ManagementData AnalysisProgram DeliverySchedulingIssue Resolution

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsProblem SolvingFacilitationCollaborationAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

Digital ToolsProject PlaybooksVisual Communication ToolsData Visualization

Industry Keywords

Creative EnvironmentCross-Functional TeamsGlobal TeamsDesign ProcessesOperational Efficiency

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Collaborate with and support team leads in project interactions
Document and implement repeatable end-to-end processes for planning, managing, and delivering work
Identify needs involving processes, tools, documentation, capacity, data, and asset management, and educate leadership on improvements
Connect cross-functional teams and facilitate communication regarding interdependencies
Advocate for the design team while working with Design Systems, Quality Assurance, and enterprise stakeholders
Communicate project status to teams, stakeholders, and senior management using visuals and data
Coordinate and prioritize initiatives with management and cross-functional teams
Anticipate bottlenecks, manage escalations, articulate risks and trade-offs, and recommend prioritization
Guide design projects from pitch to completion, advising on deadlines and managing expectations
Support design teams in scoping product initiatives, identifying priorities, and delivering key projects
Facilitate meetings, establish next steps and owners, and resolve blockers
Proactively assess risks and resolve issues
Measure program and initiative impact and operational efficiency qualitatively and quantitatively
Support management with team communication, problem solving, data-driven insights, and information distribution

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Design, or related field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
8+ years of successful experience as a Project or Program Manager, or similar role, in a creative environment
2+ years of experience leading large projects through their full life cycle in a large, cross-functional team
Experience working with global teams
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to present clearly and concisely to all enterprise levels
Proven track record of on-time project/program delivery for large, cross-functional projects with global stakeholders
Experience contributing to project playbooks, building schedules, managing issues and risks, establishing communication plans, and stakeholder management
Experience with Agile and Lean methodologies and Jira
Understanding of design and development processes
Experience working with design systems
Ability to translate complex ideas into concise, understandable explanations
Effective use of digital tools and platforms
Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects while meeting deadlines amid changing priorities
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Visa sponsorship is not available

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care days
Paid parental leave
New parent ramp-up programs
Subsidized back-up child care
Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
Fertility treatments
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members
Management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off
Option to purchase additional vacation time