Senior Design Manager, Design Studio - Employee Experience & Productivity

Senior Design Manager, Design Studio - Employee Experience & Productivity

Employee Experience and Productivity (EEP) is part of IS&T and delivers some of the most widely used communication and productivity technology and services across Apple — from tools that enable collaboration to the support teams that keep Apple's workforce running. EEP also leads user experience design and research, and manages the systems behind Apple's original content studios. The Design Studio works on products used daily by Apple employees worldwide — including Enterprise Assistant, Apple Directory, Radar, Caffè Macs, retail workforce tools, and others. The team partners closely with engineering, product, and operations to deliver experiences that are uniquely Apple — even when they're internal.

We're looking for a design leader to manage our Design Studio — the team responsible for IS&T's highest-impact employee-facing products. This person will lead a team of product designers, set the quality bar for craft and experience design, and partner with engineering and product leadership to deliver world-class enterprise applications used by all Apple employees. You'll report to the UX Director and be part of the Employee Experience & Engineering organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of product designers — hiring, career development, performance, and day-to-day direction
• Own design quality across the studio's portfolio — ensure every product meets Apple's standard for craft, usability, and polish
• Partner with engineering leads and product managers to define product direction and prioritize design efforts
• Drive end-to-end product design from discovery through delivery — research, concept, prototyping, iteration, and ship
• Establish and maintain design standards, patterns, and best practices across the team
• Represent design at the leadership level — communicate vision, advocate for experience quality, and influence product decisions
• Manage multiple concurrent engagements across different product teams and timelines
• Foster a culture of craft, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Minimum Qualifications

• 12+ years of product design experience, with at least 7 years managing design teams
• Experience designing for Apple platforms (iOS, macOS, iPadOS) — understanding of HIG, platform conventions, and native interaction patterns
• Strong portfolio of shipped enterprise and consumer products demonstrating design quality at scale
• Proven ability to hire, develop, and retain high-performing designers
• Deep craft sensibility — typography, layout, interaction design, motion, accessibility
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical design practices — privacy, inclusivity, accessibility, and responsible use of data and AI
• Experience managing design across multiple concurrent product workstreams

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong collaboration skills with engineering and product management partners
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and balancing quality with delivery timelines
• Excellent communication and presentation skills at the executive level
• Experience with enterprise products is a strong plus

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $262,500 and $393,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.