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Staff Design Program Manager, Design Innovation

About Pinterest:  

Millions of people across the world come to Pinterest to find new ideas every day. It’s where they get inspiration, dream about new possibilities and plan for what matters most. Our mission is to help those people find their inspiration and create a life they love. In your role, you’ll be challenged to take on work that upholds this mission and pushes Pinterest forward. You’ll grow as a person and leader in your field, all the while helping Pinners make their lives better in the positive corner of the internet.

Creating a life you love also means finding a career that celebrates the unique perspectives and experiences that you bring. As you read through the expectations of the position, consider how your skills and experiences may complement the responsibilities of the role. We encourage you to think through your relevant and transferable skills from prior experiences.

Our new progressive work model is called PinFlex, a term that’s uniquely Pinterest to describe our flexible approach to living and working. Visit our PinFlex landing page to learn more. 

Design Program Managers own and execute design programs that drive team impact and product initiatives forward at Pinterest. They develop programming focused on holistic product vision for the design team experience. They partner with design leadership to focus on delivery operations. They are experts at balancing strategic planning alongside execution, and know how to leverage stakeholders and partners to move programs forward. They are strong creative thinkers, who can break down complex problems and provide solutions to support their programs and the teams.

At Pinterest, the DPM will be responsible for managing operations, processes, and projects for a multidisciplinary team of designers. DPMs are assigned across various areas of the Core (organic/non-paid user-facing product), Monetization (merchant and advertising product), or Foundations (internal facing) Design organizations. This role will support Design Foundations in the Design Innovation team. 

The goal of the DPM is to elevate the quality of work and the agility of team members by building and facilitating processes that increase Design Team efficiency, consistency, and visibility through:

  • Design Operations: drive operational efficiencies at the Design Org level to create process predictability and repeatability.
  • Communication Excellence: steward the project goals by creating cross-functional clarity and organizational visibility through regularly communicating in-project updates and overall design program bandwidth and prioritization.
  • Project Management: proactively plan and manage the day to day design program operations.

What you'll do:

  • Partner with Design leadership and primary stakeholders to create a strategic project plan for the assigned design team based on the organization’s strategic and business needs.
  • Partner with Design leads to define primary stakeholders, determine scope, and gain leadership and XFN support for design programs based on the predefined project goals.
  • Execute design programs ensuring the team meets deadlines, tracking against design milestones and following up on action items through owning all program documentation and operations including communication plans, forums, and meeting cadences as required, detecting blockages, and facilitating escalation.
  • Work cross functionally with teams internal and external to Design to turn ambiguous opportunities into actionable outcomes, including running periodic product/design vision and planning exercises.
  • Define and standardize new processes from the ground up to streamline collaboration between stakeholders and manage design partnerships across multiple teams, identifying opportunities to increase the efficiency and discipline within the organization.
  • Advocate for the customer, ensure design, content & research is part of the product development process.
  • Manage risk by proactively raising issues around programs before they become a roadblock, and work quickly to resolve any issues that may arise.
  • Evaluate plans to identify risk and ensure alignment of goals, plans, and priorities across teams and functions; create capacity plans to ensure efficient resource distribution.
  • Create transparency by acting as the point of contact for programs, providing regular updates and decisions to stakeholders and ensuring updates are visible within the company.
  • Report on the success of programs and completing project closeout steps, post-mortems, and/or leading any followup iterative work.

What we're looking for:

  • 5-7 years product design program management experience or equivalent
  • Proficient in JIRA, other project management software a plus
  • SCRUM, Agile, or PMP certifications 
  • Demonstrated proficiency in design program management across multiple product surfaces 
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as exceptional organizational and time management skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in design, business, program management, a related field or equivalent experience

 

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

We let the type of work you do guide the collaboration style. That means we're not always working in an office, but we continue to gather for key moments of collaboration and connection. This role will need to be in the office for in-person collaboration 2-3 times/quarter and therefore can be situated anywhere in the country.

 

 

 

#LI-BL5

#LI-REMOTE

At Pinterest we believe the workplace should be equitable, inclusive, and inspiring for every employee. In an effort to provide greater transparency, we are sharing the base salary range for this position. The position is also eligible for equity. Final salary is based on a number of factors including location, travel, relevant prior experience, or particular skills and expertise.

Information regarding the culture at Pinterest and benefits available for this position can be found here.

US based applicants only
$118,543$244,059 USD

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

Pinterest is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best qualified people in every job. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require a medical or religious accommodation during the job application process, please complete this form for support.
 

Average salary estimate

$181301 / YEARLY (est.)
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$118543K
$244059K

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What You Should Know About Staff Design Program Manager, Design Innovation, Pinterest

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact at Pinterest as a Staff Design Program Manager in Design Innovation? This exciting role is all about driving design programs that fuel both the team's creativity and the product's success. Pinterest is where millions connect with inspiration every day, and as a DPM, you’ll play a crucial role in helping turn ideas into reality. You'll work closely with design leadership to create strategic project plans, establish efficient processes, and ensure the team stays on track to meet deadlines. A successful DPM must be a master at balancing big-picture thinking with practical execution, ensuring that designers can focus on crafting beautiful, engaging experiences for Pinners. Armed with 5-7 years of experience in product design program management and a relevant educational background, you’ll be an essential part of elevating the quality of work across our design teams. You’ll also be expected to advocate for customer needs throughout the product development process and identify opportunities for improvement that foster collaboration. At Pinterest, we place a high value on flexibility, and with our PinFlex policy, you can work in a way that best suits your lifestyle. If you’re excited about creating a life you love and are ready to take on a collaborative role that makes a real difference, hop on this rewarding journey with us!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Design Program Manager, Design Innovation Role at Pinterest
What are the main responsibilities of a Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest?

As a Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest, your primary responsibilities include developing and executing design programs that align with both the design team's and Pinterest's strategic goals. You'll partner with design leadership and stakeholders to craft strategic project plans, manage day-to-day design operations, and ensure projects are completed on time. Additionally, you will standardize new processes to enhance collaboration, advocate for customer insights, and provide regular updates to key stakeholders.

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What qualifications do you need to become a Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest?

To be a successful Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest, you should have 5-7 years of experience in product design program management or a related field. A Bachelor's degree in design, business, or program management is preferred. Proficiency in project management tools like JIRA and SCRUM, Agile, or PMP certifications are also beneficial. Strong verbal and written communication skills along with exceptional organizational abilities are essential.

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How does the Staff Design Program Manager role at Pinterest contribute to the company's mission?

The Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest plays a vital role in driving programs that enhance the design team's efficiency and creativity, ultimately contributing to Pinterest's mission of inspiring people. By facilitating clear communication and ensuring design processes are smooth and effective, the DPM enables designers to focus on delivering outstanding products that resonate with users and help them create a life they love.

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What tools do Staff Design Program Managers use at Pinterest?

Staff Design Program Managers at Pinterest typically utilize project management software like JIRA to track project milestones and facilitate communication. Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools that support team collaboration is also advantageous. These tools are essential for maintaining organization and ensuring successful execution of complex design programs.

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Can you explain the PinFlex work model for Staff Design Program Managers at Pinterest?

The PinFlex work model at Pinterest allows Staff Design Program Managers to enjoy a flexible work style that fits their personal lives while still ensuring vital in-person collaboration opportunities. This model typically requires 2-3 in-office visits per quarter, giving DPMs the chance to connect and work closely with their colleagues during key project phases while having the freedom to work remotely otherwise.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff Design Program Manager, Design Innovation
What is your experience with design program management?

When answering this question, discuss specific projects where you managed design processes, showcasing your ability to coordinate teams, set timelines, and ensure successful execution. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your problem-solving skills.

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How do you prioritize conflicts in project deadlines?

Explain your approach to prioritization, touching on communication with stakeholders and team members to assess the impact of each task. Give an example of a time you successfully navigated conflicting priorities to meet a deadline without sacrificing quality.

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Can you describe your experience with cross-functional teams?

Provide insight into your experience working with teams from different departments. Discuss how you facilitate collaboration between design and other functions, ensuring clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and maintaining effective communication.

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What methods do you use to ensure project milestones are met?

Share your preferred project management methodologies, mentioning specific tools or techniques, such as regular check-ins, progress tracking, and adaptive planning. Emphasize how you monitor progress and make adjustments to stay on track.

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How do you handle feedback during the design process?

Discuss your openness to feedback and your approach to fostering a constructive environment for receiving it. Provide examples of how you’ve utilized feedback in the past to enhance a project or process.

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What strategies do you use to communicate project updates?

Detail how you keep stakeholders informed of project progress. Mention tools like dashboards, regular email updates, or in-person meetings. Highlight the importance of clear communication in project management.

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How do you identify risks in your projects?

Describe your risk assessment strategies—such as team brainstorming sessions or reviewing project timelines and resources. Explain how you act on identified risks proactively to mitigate their impact on the project.

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Tell us about a project that did not go as planned.

Open up about a challenging project experience while focusing on what you learned. Discuss the steps you took to address the issues and how those lessons enhanced your future project management capabilities.

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How do you ensure inclusivity in design operations?

Talk about your commitment to inclusivity and how you cultivate a culture where diverse voices are valued. Mention processes you have implemented to ensure all team members can contribute, emphasizing collaboration and open dialogues.

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Why do you want to work as a Staff Design Program Manager at Pinterest?

Share your passion for Pinterest's mission and values, and how they align with your career goals. Highlight your excitement for this particular role, explaining how your skills and experiences make you a great fit to drive design innovation at Pinterest.

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Our mission is to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.

321 jobs
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Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
April 5, 2025

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