Product Design Program Manager

About the Role

As a foundational member of the design program management team, the successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining scalable systems that support team growth, executional excellence, and strong collaboration with research, engineering, and product counterparts. This role is based in Openai's San Francisco HQ, and relocation assistance is available for new employees.

The Product Design Program Manager will be part of a diverse and growing team that serves a wide range of users, from everyday consumers to developers and large enterprises. The team's mission is to bring Openai's technology to the world through intuitive, responsible, and accessible experiences, and the Product Design Program Manager will be essential in making this happen.

What You Will Do

• Partner with design leadership to identify and implement programs, processes, and tools that help the team operate more effectively across multiple product workstreams
• Lead operational planning and execution for key initiatives, including team-wide rituals, hiring coordination, onboarding, resource allocation, and internal communications
• Build and maintain scalable systems that support team growth, executional excellence, and strong collaboration with research, engineering, and product counterparts
• Oversee asset management practices across the design organization, ensuring shared libraries, templates, and systems are version-controlled, accessible, and consistently used
• Manage external vendors and contractors, handling onboarding, scoping, resourcing, contract workflows, and performance tracking to extend the team's capacity with quality and accountability
• Partner closely with Product and Engineering Operations to align OKRs, roadmaps, and delivery milestones
• Help manage intake, prioritization, and resource planning for design work across a fast-moving and highly collaborative product environment
• Drive clarity around ownership, roles, and execution timelines, ensuring the right people are in the loop at the right time
• Facilitate retrospectives, team health check-ins, and continuous improvement efforts to help the team operate at its best
• Jump in where needed, whether that's standing up a new system, running a sprint planning session, onboarding a vendor, or troubleshooting a tool

What We Are Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in design operations roles within high-growth tech environments
• Proven track record of building and scaling operational systems across multidisciplinary teams
• Strong understanding of design operations in high-growth technology organizations
• Adaptability, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership
• Experience with project management tools and software, such as Excel
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple tasks
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think critically
• Experience with design and product development processes

Nice to Have

• Experience with Agile development methodologies
• Knowledge of design systems and asset management
• Familiarity with product development software, such as Jira or Asana
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools

Benefits and Perks

• Relocation assistance for new employees
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options
• Professional development budget and conference sponsorship
• Equity and stock options
• Generous parental leave policy
• On-site gym and wellness programs

• Tip: Make sure to highlight your experience with design operations and project management tools, such as Excel, in your application.
• Tip: Showcase your ability to adapt to fast-evolving product landscapes and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Tip: Be prepared to discuss your experience with design systems, asset management, and Agile development methodologies.
• Tip: Emphasize your strong communication and collaboration skills, as well as your ability to work with cross-functional teams.
• Tip: Research Openai's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals.
• Tip: Be prepared to provide specific examples of your experience with design operations, including building and scaling operational systems and managing external vendors and contractors.