Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your creative leadership and project management skills can be a daunting challenge for any design manager. Our guide provides you with targeted advice to articulate your design vision and managerial accomplishments, ensuring your CV stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Structure, write, and edit your design manager CV to land the role of your dreams with our exclusive guide on how to:
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Resume examples for design manager
Explore additional design manager cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Design Project Manager
- Structured Progression in Industry Roles - Freddie Hughes' career trajectory showcases a clear advancement through significant roles in reputable engineering firms, such as Atkins, Jacobs, and Mott MacDonald. Starting as a Water Resources Engineer and progressing to a Senior Water Engineer, this upward movement illustrates not only personal growth but also increasing responsibilities and impact within the water sector.
- Quantifiable Impact and Project Success - The CV highlights Freddie's impactful achievements with precise figures, such as increasing project efficiency by 30% and securing additional revenue of £500,000 annually. These metrics underline Freddie's ability to deliver not just process improvements but also substantial business outcomes, enhancing client satisfaction and driving organizational success.
- Diverse Skill Set Catering to Industry Needs - Freddie's skill set reflects a comprehensive coverage of essential areas like project management, stakeholder engagement, and technical tools including AutoCAD and GIS software. This blend of hard and soft skills, coupled with additional certifications like PMP, suggests a well-rounded professional capable of addressing complex challenges in the water engineering domain.
Junior Design Manager
- Strong Career Progression - Louis Wood’s career trajectory is clearly outlined, demonstrating a progressive growth from a Project Assistant to a Project Manager within a span of just over two years. This quick elevation in roles suggests a strong proficiency in project management and the ability to leverage early career experiences effectively.
- Proficient Use of Agile Methodologies - The CV highlights Louis's expertise in Agile methodologies, which is crucial for managing SaaS projects effectively. His completion of an Agile Project Management course underscores his commitment to mastering industry-specific methodologies, likely contributing to his ability to manage projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Impactful Business Achievements - The achievements section presents a well-rounded view of Louis’s contributions beyond mere statistics. By focusing on improvements such as enhancing client onboarding efficiency by 30% and cost reductions through improved project tracking, the CV illustrates not only what he achieved but also how those achievements translated into business success and operational efficiency.
Industrial Design Manager
- Exemplifies a clear career growth trajectory - The CV adeptly traces the candidate's professional advancement from entry-level roles to senior management positions over a decade, highlighting promotions at renowned companies like IBM and Salesforce. This progression underscores their ability to adapt and excel in increasingly challenging roles, suggesting suitability for leadership positions in tech-focused environments.
- Utilizes industry-specific tools and methodologies - Highlighting proficiency in cutting-edge technologies such as Python and TensorFlow, the CV reveals the candidate's technical depth in machine learning and AI development. This focus on domain-specific tools indicates a deep alignment with industry trends and the demands of high-tech projects, positioning the candidate as a competitive hire in the data-driven sector.
- Portrays strong adaptability through diverse experiences - The CV effectively showcases the candidate's versatility by detailing cross-functional roles in various sectors, from healthcare to finance. It describes instances of collaborating with diverse teams to implement innovative IT solutions, demonstrating adaptability and the capacity to thrive in multifaceted environments that require multidisciplinary expertise.
By Role
Design and Production Manager
- Career Progression and Leadership - Isla King's career trajectory showcases a clear growth pattern from Event Coordinator to Senior Event Operations Manager, and ultimately to an Event Delivery Production Manager. This progression highlights their increasing leadership responsibilities, reflecting advancement based on proven capabilities and trust within the industry.
- Industry-Specific Tools and Methodologies - The CV demonstrates Isla's proficiency with industry-specific tools such as CAD for event planning, which is essential for site layout accuracy and installation efficiency. Their expertise with such tools indicates a technical depth that supports their ability to manage large-scale, complex events effectively.
- Significant Achievements with Measurable Business Impact - Isla King's CV includes impressive achievements that were not just about financial metrics, but also focused on legacy and experience, like spearheading safety protocols that resulted in zero incidents at major events. These accomplishments underline their ability to enhance customer experiences and boost stakeholder confidence, showcasing their business impact beyond just numbers.
Graphic Design Manager
- Highlights structured career progression - The CV exemplifies a well-defined career trajectory with consistent growth and responsibilities in project management. Progression is made evident through a series of promotions, from Junior Project Coordinator to Senior Project Manager, which reflects a track record of leadership capability and increased responsibility in high-profile projects.
- Showcases adaptable problem-solving skills - The candidate’s experience underscores adaptability and cross-functional expertise. Having managed cross-industry projects, such as in IT and construction, the CV highlights the candidate's capability to identify unique challenges and implement solutions, making them versatile in any fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrates advanced technical acumen - Unique to the industry, the CV contains an impressive array of technical proficiencies, such as proficiency in Agile methodologies, advanced usage of MS Project, and a deep understanding of Data Analytics. This technical breadth and depth establish the candidate's strong grounding in managing complex project dynamics through efficient tech application.
Fashion Design Manager
- Strong Career Progression and Industry Focus - Grace Bailey's CV illustrates a clear and strategic career trajectory from Product Designer to Lead Product Designer within well-known companies in the fashion tech industry. This progression highlights her growth in expertise and leadership responsibilities, as she transitions from roles focused on design implementation to those influencing product strategy and innovation.
- Diverse Skill Set and Technical Proficiency - The CV effectively showcases a comprehensive set of industry-specific skills such as UX Strategy, Interaction Design, and Accessibility. It also highlights proficiency with essential design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, demonstrating her technical competency and her ability to integrate advanced design methodologies into her work.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - Grace's accomplishments are presented with impressive metrics, demonstrating not just numerical success but real business impact. For example, her initiatives on accessibility standards resulted in a 30% improvement in user satisfaction, and her leadership in a styling algorithm project increased revenue by 25%. Such achievements underline her direct contribution to enhancing both user experience and business profitability.
Interior Design Manager
- Comprehensive career progression - James Lewis' CV illustrates a clear career trajectory, showcasing consistent growth from a Project Designer role to an Interior Design Manager. This progression reflects a steadily increasing level of responsibility, indicating strong performance and leadership capabilities in the interior design field.
- Integration of technology and creativity - The CV highlights James' proficiency with industry-specific tools such as Autodesk REVIT and AutoCAD, along with innovation in using new design software to improve project accuracy and speed. This blend of technical expertise and creative leadership is crucial in driving efficient design processes and delivering impactful results.
- Actionable results with industry relevance - The achievements section provides compelling evidence of James' ability to directly impact business outcomes. By quantifying success, such as a 40% improvement in inventory turnover and a 25% increase in customer engagement, the document effectively communicates the tangible value of his innovative approaches to interior design management.
Web Design Manager
- Strong Career Progression - The CV highlights Isabella Watson’s career growth from a Digital Marketing Executive to a Website and SEO Manager, showing a clear trajectory of increasing responsibility and impact in digital marketing and e-commerce environments. This progression indicates her ability to excel quickly and drive strategic initiatives in varied industry settings.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - Isabella possesses specialized knowledge in SEO strategies, e-commerce platform integration, and data analytics, utilizing tools such as Google Analytics and Tag Manager. Her role in implementing these tools to significantly boost website performance and user engagement demonstrates her technical depth and hands-on capability.
- Collaborative and Adaptable Experience - Her cross-functional collaboration with design, marketing, and third-party teams showcases her strong adaptability and team-oriented approach. This versatility in managing projects across departments ensures successful outcomes, as seen in her substantial achievements in site redesign and SEO management.
User Experience Design Manager
- Structured Career Progression - Ivy Ward’s career trajectory demonstrates a clear progression within the user experience design field. Moving from a UX Designer at BT Group to a Senior User Experience Designer at BBC Digital, this indicates both her competence and her growing responsibilities. Her promotions reflect significant professional growth and recognition in the industry.
- Diverse Skill Set with Industry-Relevant Tools - The CV highlights Ivy's proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, complemented by her expertise in design thinking and usability testing. These skills are crucial for a UX designer, showcasing her technical depth and ability to produce high-quality digital solutions.
- Impactful Achievements Demonstrating Business Value - Ivy’s accomplishments, like leading redesign projects that increased user satisfaction by 30% and user engagement by 40%, are articulated with clear, measurable impact. Such metrics not only highlight her effectiveness but also illustrate her contributions to significant business objectives, aligning user experiences with strategic company goals.
Design Quality Assurance Manager
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, starting with a concise summary that captures George's expertise in quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Each section is clearly labeled, guiding the reader through his educational background, professional experience, and notable achievements, making it easy to navigate and understand his professional history and competencies.
- Impressive Career Trajectory - George's career progression is evident, showcasing a clear path of growth from a Quality Assurance Associate to a Senior Quality Assurance Manager. His advancements within reputable companies reflect his dedication, professional development, and increasing leadership responsibilities within the clinical research industry.
- Substantial Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights significant achievements, such as implementing quality systems that improved study outcomes by 20% and achieving a 98% compliance rate with regulatory requirements. These accomplishments are presented with measurable impact, demonstrating George's ability to drive substantial improvements within his field, ultimately contributing to organizational success.
Design Operations Manager
- Comprehensive Career Progression - The CV showcases a clear trajectory of career advancement, starting with roles focused on creative development and moving into strategic and managerial positions. Olivia’s growth from a Creative Development Specialist to a Marketing Operations and Creative Design Manager illustrates a dynamic expansion in responsibilities and leadership capabilities within well-known UK retailers.
- Integration of Unique Industry-Specific Skills - Olivia's expertise in omni-channel marketing and proficiency with the Adobe Creative Suite align impeccably with her role as a Marketing Operations and Design Manager. These skills support her ability to design eye-catching campaigns and manage project timelines effectively, demonstrating her technical depth and adaptability in the marketing industry.
- Emphasis on Impactful Achievements - The CV details substantial business impact through Olivia’s projects, such as a 25% increase in customer engagement and cost reductions for marketing materials. These achievements not only highlight her ability to drive significant positive outcomes but also underline her strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities in the realm of marketing operations.
Design and Development Manager
- Clarity in Content Presentation - The CV is well-structured and clearly presented, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly identify Emily Cox's core competencies and achievements. Each section is concise, with bullet points highlighting only the most impactful contributions and experiences.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Emily's career advancement is notable, transitioning from a Product Designer role at Sony to a Senior Product Designer position at Hasbro, eventually becoming a Product Design and Development Manager at Mattel Inc. This trajectory showcases not only a clear growth in responsibilities but also a consistent dedication to the consumer electronics industry.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - The CV effectively demonstrates Emily’s ability to achieve considerable business outcomes. Her leadership initiatives at Mattel have led to a 15% increase in market share, while her innovative strategies contributed significantly to brand consistency and market penetration, underscoring her business acumen.
Digital Design Manager
- Clear and Organized Content Presentation - Evie Perry's CV is thoughtfully structured, with well-delineated sections that cover her professional background, education, skills, and achievements. The concise bullet points under each job role detail relevant experiences, making it easy to understand her capabilities and career progress at a glance.
- Career Growth through Progressive Roles - The career trajectory in Evie's CV shows a clear path of advancement from a Junior Graphic Designer to a Digital Designer. This progression highlights her growing responsibilities and the trust placed in her ability to lead projects, reflecting a solid upward trend in her career.
- Technical Proficiency in Industry Tools - The CV emphasizes Evie's adeptness with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, demonstrating her technical depth. Additionally, her courses in motion graphics and UX design reflect a commitment to staying current with digital design trends, showcasing her as a well-equipped professional in the field.
Brand Design Manager
- Strategic Career Advancement in Design - Amelia Murphy's CV showcases a well-defined career trajectory, moving from foundational roles such as a Graphic Designer to leadership positions like Senior Design Specialist at prestigious organizations. This highlights not only her expertise in design but also her capability to thrive and ascend in complex and competitive environments.
- Expertise in Design Tools and Methodologies - The CV emphasizes Amelia's mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Her proficiency in these tools, along with advanced techniques in typesetting and print processes, underscores her technical depth within the design industry and her competence in managing and executing intricate design projects.
- Cross-Functional Impact and Leadership - Amelia's ability to facilitate collaboration and lead between editorial and design teams demonstrates her leadership and cross-functional experience. Her role in streamlining production processes and achieving impressive efficiency gains marks her as a pivotal player who improves workflows and outcomes across departments.
Architectural Design Manager
- Structured Career Advancement - Ava Phillips' CV demonstrates a clear progression from an Architectural Designer to a Senior Architect/Design Manager over more than a decade. The logical career trajectory reflects her expanding responsibilities and expertise within noteworthy companies such as Arup, Mott MacDonald, and AECOM. This advancement highlights her ability to leverage and expand her skill set across different roles and environments.
- Integration of Sustainability in Architecture - One of the standout elements is Ava's focus on sustainable solutions across her projects. Her experience includes implementing practices that significantly reduced carbon emissions and enhanced project sustainability, evidenced by achievements like BREEAM certification and winning a Sustainable Design Award. These aspects not only reflect her technical expertise but also her leadership in promoting eco-friendly practices.
- Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration - The CV details her leadership skills, evident from her role in directing multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with various stakeholders, including subcontractors and MEP systems teams. By facilitating meetings and aligning design objectives, Ava has improved project coherence and reduced costs, showcasing her adeptness in leadership and cross-department collaboration.
Design and Innovation Manager
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV effectively uses a clear and concise structure, making it easy to navigate through sections like experience, education, and skills. Bullet points highlight key contributions and achievements, ensuring that critical information is readily accessible without overwhelming the reader.
- Impressive Career Growth and Industry Experience - Amelia Murphy's career trajectory demonstrates notable growth from an Automation Systems Analyst to Solutions Development Manager. Her career advancement reflects an adept transition through significant roles in automation across renowned companies, highlighting her increasing responsibilities and influence in the sector.
- Technical Expertise in Automation and Robotics - The CV underscores Amelia's unique industry-specific skills, such as proficiency in AutoCAD, Power BI, and robotics, which are crucial in designing automation solutions. These competencies are complemented by a structured educational background in engineering, emphasizing her technical depth in automation and robotics.
Engineering Design Manager
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is meticulously organized with easily navigable sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is clearly titled and provides concise, bullet-pointed information, allowing quick access to relevant details without overwhelming the reader. This layout ensures clarity and ease of comprehension, crucial for making a strong impression in a competitive job market.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Mia Ward's career demonstrates a clear progression within the nuclear engineering sector, marked by significant roles and increasing responsibilities. Transitioning from a Nuclear Safety Engineer to an Engineering Project Lead and eventually a Senior Engineering Manager at prestigious firms like Jacobs, EDF Energy, and Rolls-Royce illustrates her sustained growth, resulting from strategic career moves that build upon her expertise and leadership capabilities.
- Impactful Achievements and Business Relevance - The CV meticulously highlights achievements that have tangible benefits for past employers, such as a 25% reduction in risk and 18% increase in process efficiency. These not only demonstrate Mia Ward's capacity for innovation and problem-solving but also underscore her strategic impact on safety and operational performance, making her a valuable asset to any engineering team focused on safety and efficiency.
Product Design Manager
- Strategic Career Progression - Jack Taylor’s career trajectory is marked by significant upward mobility and sector-specific expertise. Starting as an Associate Product Manager and advancing to Senior Digital Product Manager, he has steadily moved through roles at SSE Renewables, EDF Energy, and ScottishPower, showcasing a consistent pattern of growth within the energy sector.
- Industry-Specific Innovations - The CV highlights Jack’s specialization in energy innovation with a focus on sustainable energy solutions and digital transformation. His experience in leading a £30M digital transformation project demonstrates a deep understanding of energy transmission efficiency, backed by a solid educational foundation in energy systems and electronics engineering.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Benefits - Jack's CV emphasizes the real-world business impact of his work, detailing key projects that led to measurable improvements. For instance, the 15% increase in energy transmission efficiency and a 20% rise in customer engagement underscore his capability to drive strategic initiatives that align with business goals and enhance operational performance.
Content Design Manager
- Defined Career Progression and Leadership Growth - Rosie Gray's CV effectively illustrates a clear trajectory of increasing responsibility and leadership roles, from a Content Strategist to a Content Design Manager. This progression highlights her ability to lead teams and develop strategic initiatives, showcasing her growth within the content design and UX industry.
- Incorporation of Advanced Methodologies and Certifications - The CV stands out with Rosie’s proficiency in agile methodologies and her completion of specialized courses such as Advanced UX Design Techniques through the Nielsen Norman Group. These credentials demonstrate her commitment to staying current with industry best practices and enhancing her technical depth.
- Comprehensive Focus on Cross-Functional Collaboration - Rosie Gray emphasizes her strong cross-functional collaboration skills throughout her CV, detailing how she facilitated workshops and established communication channels across departments. This section speaks to her adaptability and effectiveness in working collaboratively within diverse teams, driving significant project success and innovation.
Design Strategy Manager
- Effectively Demonstrates Career Progression - Matilda Hunter's CV clearly outlines her career trajectory from a Project Design Engineer to a Design Manager, showcasing consistent career growth and adaptability in different high-profile pharmaceutical companies. She has strategically moved through roles, each with increasing leadership responsibilities, reflective of her capability to manage projects and teams effectively.
- Emphasizes Leadership and Management Skills - The CV highlights Matilda's leadership acumen with evidence of her ability to boost team morale by 18% and enhance client satisfaction by 15%. Her role in implementing quality management systems, improving compliance, and spearheading overall team productivity aligns well with the responsibilities of a Design Manager, underscoring her strong soft skills and leadership capabilities.
- Quantification of Achievements Underscores Business Impact - Matilda's achievements are robustly quantified throughout the CV, which translates her technical skills into tangible business outcomes. For example, she improved design development efficiency by 20% and reduced project deliverable errors by 35%. These metrics emphasize the direct impact she has had on project efficiency and quality, demonstrating her ability to deliver high-value results.
Formatting your design manager CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional design manager CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional design manager CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a design manager CV
Professional Summary showcases leadership in design strategy, vital for a manager.
Design Project Portfolio illustrates the range and depth of design projects overseen.
Management & Leadership Experience highlights capabilities in leading design teams.
Technical Skills in Design Software demonstrates competence with industry tools.
Awards & Recognitions in Design validate expertise and accomplishments in the field.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your leadership experience in design by detailing successful projects you've supervised, ensuring to include the size of teams you've managed and the scope of the projects.
- Emphasise your understanding of design principles and tools, but also demonstrate your ability to manage budgets, timelines, and cross-functional communication to deliver designs that meet business objectives.
- Showcase your portfolio of design work alongside metrics that illustrate the impact of your leadership, such as increased user engagement, enhanced brand consistency, or improved design processes.
- Include any relevant certifications or training in design thinking, agile methodologies, or project management that underscore your capabilities as a manager in the design field.
- Detail instances where you've facilitated collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders to highlight your skill in navigating and integrating diverse perspectives and expertise in your team's work.
Recommended reads:
Making a good first impression with your design manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for design manager:
- Senior Design Manager | UX/UI Focus | Agile Methodologies | PMP Certified | 12+ Years of Experience
- Creative Design Leader | Brand Development Expert | MA in Design Innovation | 8 Years in Field
- Lead Industrial Designer | CAD Mastery | Product Lifecycle Management | Six Sigma Black Belt | 10+ Years
- Digital Design Manager | E-commerce Specialist | SEO Savvy | Adobe Creative Suite Pro | 7 Years’ Experience
- Principal Graphic Design Manager | Visual Storytelling | Typography Expert | BA Honours Graphic Design | 15 Years
- Chief Design Officer | Strategic Planning | User-Centric Design | Design Thinking Workshops | 20 Years Leadership
What's the difference between a design manager CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your design manager CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a design manager job:
- Seasoned Design Manager with over 12 years of experience leading cross-functional teams for international high-street fashion brands. Specialised in brand revitalisation through innovative design solutions, resulting in a 45% increase in annual revenue. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and 3D modelling software.
- Motivated former Marketing Executive with 8 years of award-winning campaign experience transitioning to Design Management. Extensive background in consumer psychology and market trends analysis, seeking to leverage project management skills to foster creative environments and drive product innovation in a new discipline.
- Driven Architectural Designer seeking to pivot into Design Management, bringing forth a rich portfolio of commercial and residential projects completed over a decade. Adept in sustainable design principles and advanced CAD tools, aiming to blend technical expertise with strategic leadership in a vibrant design-oriented setting.
- Experienced Design Manager with 15 years steering multidisciplinary teams in the automotive industry. Renowned for initiating agile methodologies that led to a 30% reduction in time-to-market for new vehicle models. Mastery of SolidWorks and a track record of patent innovations in vehicle design.
- Aspiring to commence a career in Design Management, armed with a First-Class Honours degree in Industrial Design and a passion for user-centred design frameworks. Eager to develop strategic management capabilities while contributing fresh perspectives to create products that resonate with the contemporary market.
- Recently graduated Graphic Designer with freelance experience, targeting an entry-level Design Management role to utilise strong conceptual skills and knowledge in visual communication. Committed to learning collaborative leadership techniques to guide design projects that align with market needs and consumer expectations.
The best formula for your design manager CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Directed a team of designers in the conceptualisation and execution of diverse projects, ensuring design quality and brand consistency across all platforms.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing and product development, to align design strategies with business objectives.
- Managed the design process from ideation to deployment, incorporating user feedback and analytics to inform design decisions and iterate effectively.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance on design principles and professional growth, while fostering a creative and collaborative team environment.
- Implemented workflow improvements and adopted new technologies to increase efficiency and stay ahead in a rapidly changing design landscape.
- Developed and managed the design budget, ensuring projects were delivered on time and within financial constraints without compromising on quality.
- Led branding initiatives, overseeing the creation and maintenance of style guides and ensuring cohesive brand experiences across multiple touchpoints.
- Presented design concepts and strategies to stakeholders and executive teams, articulating design choices and their impact on user experience and business goals.
- Championed user-centred design principles, incorporating user research and testing into the design process to enhance the end-user experience.
Work Experience
Senior Design Manager
Intel Corporation
01/2017-12/2020
- Led a team of 8 designers to conceptualise and execute a cross-platform rebranding for a global technology firm, which increased user engagement by 30%.
- Managed the design process of innovative product features, resulting in a 40% reduction in customer service inquiries due to improved UX.
- Implemented data-driven design strategies through A/B testing, improving conversion rates by 25%.
Work Experience
Creative Design Lead
Adobe Systems Inc.
05/2013-03/2018
- Directed the visual branding overhaul of the company’s flagship product, successfully unifying the visual identity across multiple platforms.
- Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement in design quality, leading to a 20% increase in client satisfaction scores.
- Managed the end-to-end user experience design for a new SaaS product, contributing to a first-year revenue increase of £2 million.
Work Experience
Design Project Manager
Autodesk Inc.
08/2009-05/2014
- Oversaw the integration of user-centric design principles which propelled the website's user time-on-site by 15%.
- Navigated cross-functional teams in high-pressure scenarios to deliver a critically acclaimed mobile application.
- Implemented innovative design solutions to complex user flows, increasing customer retention rates by 10% within the first six months.
Work Experience
Head of Design and User Experience
IBM
04/2015-02/2020
- Developed and executed a comprehensive design strategy for a series of successful product launches, contributing to a 35% increase in market share.
- Fostered a collaborative design environment that enhanced team productivity and cut project completion times by 20%.
- Orchestrated the UX/UI design for a major e-commerce platform remodel, boosting average order value by 15%.
Work Experience
Design Team Leader
Microsoft Corporation
06/2011-11/2017
- Spearheaded a design team in developing an award-winning mobile application, elevating the company's profile within the industry.
- Revamped the user interface of the core software suite, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency by streamlining workflows.
- Established a scalable design framework that supported the company’s expansion into three new international markets.
Work Experience
Principal Design Strategist
Oracle Corporation
10/2012-08/2019
- Innovated a design-thinking approach to product development that reduced time to market by 25% for key products.
- Championed the adoption of responsive design techniques that resulted in a 40% uptick in mobile conversions.
- Steered the visual aspects of a merger and acquisition project, ensuring brand cohesion and maintaining a strong visual presence in the sector.
Work Experience
Lead Design Innovator
Samsung Electronics
03/2016-01/2024
- Accelerated the adoption of cutting-edge virtual reality interfaces within the product portfolio, generating a 50% increase in user engagement.
- Drove a complete redesign of the corporate website, resulting in a 60% improvement in bounce rates.
- Pioneered the implementation of a user-centered design philosophy, leading the industry trend towards more intuitive product interfaces.
Work Experience
Chief Design Officer
Lenovo Group Limited
07/2014-Ongoing
- Directed the evolution of the design department, by introducing agile methodologies, and shortening the average project lifecycle by 30%.
- Managed the company-wide implementation of design systems, leading to increased consistency across products and a 15% reduction in design debt.
- Partnered with the marketing department to align design and branding efforts across campaigns, contributing to a consistent year-on-year revenue growth of 10%.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your design manager CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your design manager CV:
HARD SKILLS
Graphic Design
UX/UI Principles
Project Management
CAD Software Proficiency
Adobe Creative Suite Expertise
Web Design Proficiency
Typography Knowledge
Branding and Identity
Design Strategy Development
Budget Management
SOFT SKILLS
Leadership
Communication
Creativity
Teamwork
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Time Management
Client Relations
Decision Making
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your design manager CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your design manager CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
