Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager Company: Tobii Dynavox Location: Stockholm, Sweden Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Design Operations / Product Design Leadership Date Posted: 2025-08-29 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary design team focused on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) products, encompassing both digital platforms and print-based materials.
• Champion user-centered design (UCD) and inclusive design principles, ensuring accessibility and empathy are at the forefront of all design outputs.
• Drive the design vision and strategy in close collaboration with Product Management, Engineering, and Research teams to deliver cohesive user experiences.
• Own and optimize design processes, workflows, and documentation to enhance team efficiency, scalability, and impact.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing design culture, supporting team health, hiring, and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the core responsibilities and emphasis on process optimization, cross-functional collaboration, and user-centric methodologies strongly align with a Revenue Operations (RevOps) or Go-to-Market Operations (GTM Ops) mindset, particularly in how design impacts user adoption, customer success, and ultimately, revenue generation through improved product usability and accessibility. The role requires a strategic operational approach to design leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Inspire, manage, and develop a team of product designers and graphic designers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Advocate for and implement robust user-centered design (UCD) methodologies, ensuring that user needs, feedback, and research insights drive design decisions.
• Champion inclusive design principles and accessibility standards, particularly for users with complex communication needs, their caregivers, and educators.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering to define, refine, and execute the design strategy and roadmap for AAC products.
• Bridge the gap between digital and physical design, ensuring a seamless and consistent user experience across all product touchpoints, including print-based materials like symbol books and communication boards.
• Facilitate constructive design critiques, reviews, and team rituals to elevate the quality and creativity of design outputs.
• Drive the adoption and refinement of design processes, documentation standards, and workflow optimizations to improve team efficiency and output scalability.
• Support talent acquisition through effective hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies to build a diverse and high-performing design team.
• Act as a key liaison between the design team and other departments, ensuring alignment and effective communication to achieve business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "owning and improving design processes, documentation, and workflows to help the team scale and deliver impact efficiently" is a direct indicator of an operational focus. This role is expected to bring structure and efficiency to the design function, similar to how operations professionals streamline sales or marketing processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a related field; Master's degree or equivalent practical experience preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in product design, UX design, or graphic design, with a demonstrated ability to deliver impactful design solutions.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct experience managing and mentoring design teams, with a proven track record of fostering individual and team growth.
• Experience in leading design for both digital interfaces and print-based or physical products is highly desirable.
• Familiarity or direct experience within the Assistive and Augmentative Communication (AAC), assistive technology, special education, or healthcare sectors is a significant advantage.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and manage design teams through effective mentorship and strategic direction.
• User-Centered Design (UCD): Deep understanding and practical application of UCD principles, user research methodologies, and usability testing.
• Inclusive & Accessible Design: Strong commitment to and experience with designing for accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for users with diverse needs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent ability to partner effectively with Product Management, Engineering, Research, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Process Optimization: Experience in defining, implementing, and improving design workflows, processes, and documentation for efficiency and scalability.
• Portfolio Management: Ability to curate and present compelling design portfolios that showcase a range of projects, ideally including both digital and print/tactile experiences.
• Communication & Presentation: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and strategies clearly to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• AAC/Assistive Technology Domain Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the AAC landscape, its users, and the unique challenges and opportunities within this space.
• Digital Product Design: Expertise in designing intuitive and engaging user interfaces for web and mobile applications.
• Print & Physical Product Design: Experience in designing for tangible materials such as communication boards, symbol books, and user manuals.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile development processes and how design integrates within sprint cycles.
• Talent Management: Experience in hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development for design professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio spanning both digital tools and tactile/print-based design" and the emphasis on "inclusive design" alongside "product and graphic designers" suggests a need for a candidate who can operationalize design across diverse mediums and user needs, aligning with a holistic GTM approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Holistic Design Showcase: Demonstrate experience across the full design spectrum, including digital interfaces (web/mobile UX/UI) and physical/print assets (e.g., communication boards, symbol systems, user guides).
• Process Improvement Case Studies: Include detailed examples of how you have identified and improved design processes, workflows, or team efficiencies, highlighting the impact on team output or product quality.
• User-Centricity in Action: Present projects that clearly illustrate the application of user research, usability testing, and iterative design based on user feedback.
• Accessibility & Inclusivity Examples: Showcase specific projects where accessibility and inclusive design principles were central to the design process and outcome.
• Team Leadership Impact: Provide examples of how you have mentored, developed, or led design teams, and the positive impact this had on team performance or individual growth.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow Definition: Ability to document and standardize end-to-end design workflows, from concept generation and user research to final asset delivery and iteration.
• Design System Management: Experience in contributing to or managing design systems for both digital and potentially print components, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
• Usability Testing Protocols: Documented approaches for conducting usability testing, user interviews, and feedback collection for both digital and physical products.
• Cross-Functional Handoff Standards: Processes for effective collaboration and handoff between design, product management, engineering, and other relevant teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "process optimization" and "documentation" within the primary responsibilities, combined with the need for a portfolio that showcases "process improvement case studies," indicates a strong operational component to this role. The ideal candidate will not only manage designers but also the operational efficiency of the design function itself.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the location (Stockholm, Sweden), the experience level (Mid-Senior, 5-10 years with management experience), and the specialized nature of the role within a global leader in assistive technology, a competitive salary range is estimated.
• Estimated Salary: 650,000 - 950,000 SEK per year (approximately $60,000 - $90,000 USD, subject to exchange rate fluctuations).
• This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers in Stockholm, considering the technology sector and the responsibilities outlined. Local market research for senior design leadership roles in Sweden would provide more precise figures.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health insurance coverage, potentially including dental and vision.
• Retirement Savings: Contributions to a pension plan or similar retirement savings scheme.
• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, conferences, and workshops to enhance design and leadership skills.
• Work-Life Balance: Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working arrangements considered where possible.
• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.
• Innovation Culture: Opportunity to work on meaningful products that directly impact users' lives, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.
• While the role is on-site, there may be flexibility within daily schedules to accommodate personal needs, provided that team collaboration and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on general knowledge of tech industry compensation in Stockholm. For precise figures, candidates should research local salary data for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in similar industries. The benefits are standard for a company of Tobii Dynavox's caliber and sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Assistive Technology / Medical Devices / Software Development Company Size: Tobii Dynavox is part of Tobii AB, a publicly traded company. While specific employee counts for Tobii Dynavox as a distinct unit might vary, Tobii AB as a whole is a significant player in the eye-tracking and assistive technology markets, suggesting a medium to large-sized organization with global reach. This implies a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for career growth.

Founded: Tobii AB was founded in 2001. Tobii Dynavox has a long history within the assistive technology space, evolving through acquisitions and organic growth. Being a leader in a specialized field means the company likely values expertise, innovation, and a deep understanding of user needs.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team of product designers and graphic designers.
• This team likely operates within a larger Product or Engineering organization, collaborating closely with Product Managers, UX Researchers, Software Engineers, and potentially Subject Matter Experts in AAC, education, and healthcare.
• The reporting structure will likely involve reporting to a Director of Design, VP of Product, or a similar senior leadership role.
• Cross-functional collaboration is explicitly mentioned as a key aspect of the role, indicating a matrixed environment where designers work on specific product initiatives alongside other functional teams.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The company's mission to empower individuals with disabilities necessitates a strong focus on user research, empathy, and iterative design based on user feedback and needs.
• Agile Development: It's highly probable that the design team operates within an Agile framework, working in sprints and collaborating closely with development teams.
• Data-Driven Decisions: While qualitative user insights are paramount, data from user interactions, product analytics, and market research likely inform design strategies and prioritization.
• Process Improvement Focus: The explicit mention of "own and improve design processes" suggests a culture that values efficiency, standardization, and continuous enhancement of operational practices.

Company Website: https://www.tobiidynavox.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Tobii Dynavox's position as a leader in assistive technology is crucial. This means the company culture likely prioritizes impact, user empathy, and innovation in a regulated or specialized field. The operational aspect of design management should align with these core values.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior Management level within the design function. It requires both strong individual contributor design craft with a minimum of 6 years of experience and demonstrated leadership capabilities with at least 2 years of management experience. The scope involves leading a team and influencing product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a senior leader within the product organization, such as a Director of Product Design, VP of Product, or Chief Product Officer. They will manage a team of individual contributor designers.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's operational leadership directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of the design process, which in turn influences product quality, user adoption, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the company's ability to generate revenue. By ensuring cohesive, accessible, and user-friendly products, the design team contributes to customer retention and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into senior leadership roles such as Head of Design, Director of Product Experience, or VP of Design, overseeing larger teams and broader product portfolios.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like accessible design, UX research leadership, or design operations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Transition into broader product leadership roles or strategic management positions, leveraging a strong understanding of product development and user experience.
• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in the field of assistive technology design, potentially leading industry initiatives or speaking at conferences.
• Process Excellence: Develop a reputation for building and scaling highly effective design operations and teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within design leadership, with a strong emphasis on operationalizing design processes. This aligns with career trajectories in many tech companies where design operations managers or heads of design are seen as critical to scaling creative and product functions efficiently.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" in Stockholm, Sweden. This suggests a traditional office environment with dedicated workspaces for employees. Tobii Dynavox likely provides modern office facilities designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Stockholm, Sweden. This location offers access to a vibrant tech ecosystem and a high quality of life. Specific office details (e.g., amenities, accessibility) would be available upon inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment is expected to include meeting rooms, breakout areas, and potentially open-plan spaces designed to encourage interaction and teamwork among designers and with other departments.
• Tools & Technology: Designers will have access to industry-standard hardware (e.g., MacBooks, external monitors) and software for design, prototyping, and collaboration.
• Team Interaction: The on-site nature of the role facilitates direct, in-person collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and quick feedback loops with team members and cross-functional colleagues.
• Focus Time: While collaboration is key, the environment should also support focused work required for deep design thinking and execution.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, with approximately 40 hours per week.
• As an on-site role, consistent presence during core business hours is expected to facilitate team collaboration and engagement. However, some degree of flexibility in daily start and end times may be available, subject to team needs and company policy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement emphasizes the value Tobii Dynavox places on in-person collaboration, which is often crucial for effective design leadership and team cohesion. This also suggests a structured work environment where operational processes can be more easily observed and optimized.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (likely a senior design or product leader) to delve deeper into experience, leadership style, and strategic thinking.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: This is a critical stage. Candidates will likely present their portfolio, focusing on key projects that demonstrate their design craft, leadership, and process improvement capabilities. A design challenge or case study presentation may be required to assess problem-solving skills, approach to accessibility, and strategic thinking in the context of AAC products.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Management, Engineering, and potentially UX Research to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to integrate into the broader product development team.
• Final Interview/Executive Interview: A final conversation, possibly with a more senior executive, to confirm fit and discuss overall vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your leadership, process optimization, user-centered approach, and experience with both digital and print/physical design.
• Highlight Operations & Process: For each project, explicitly discuss the design process followed, any challenges encountered, how you improved or optimized processes, and the resulting impact (e.g., efficiency gains, improved user outcomes, team growth).
• Emphasize Impact & Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible. For example, "Improved user task completion time by X%," or "Streamlined the design review process, reducing iteration cycles by Y days."
• Showcase Leadership: Discuss your role in managing, mentoring, and developing designers within your team. Include examples of how you fostered collaboration and improved team performance.
• Accessibility Focus: Dedicate a portion of your presentation to projects or principles demonstrating your commitment to and expertise in accessible and inclusive design for users with communication needs.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, the solutions, and the measurable outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem Space: Research Tobii Dynavox's products, their mission, and the AAC industry. Familiarize yourself with common challenges faced by individuals with communication disabilities.
• Focus on Process & Strategy: If a design challenge is given, think about how you would structure the approach, gather insights (even if hypothetical), involve stakeholders, and measure success.
• Accessibility First: Ensure any design solutions or proposed processes explicitly address accessibility and inclusivity.
• Presentation Clarity: Prepare to present your thoughts and solutions concisely and logically, demonstrating your strategic thinking and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely scrutinize not just design output but also the candidate's ability to manage and optimize the design function operationally. A portfolio that clearly articulates process improvements and leadership impact will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), potentially prototyping tools like InVision, Principle, or Adobe XD.
• User Research & Testing: Tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback.io, Maze, or internal testing platforms.
• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.
• Design System Management: Tools for managing design systems and component libraries.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for digital product performance).
• Product Analytics: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal BI platforms for tracking user behavior within the AAC applications.
• Reporting Dashboards: Tableau, Power BI, or similar for visualizing key design and product metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managed by the Design Manager, understanding how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation tools impact the user journey and customer lifecycle can be beneficial for context.
• Integration Tools: Awareness of how different software tools integrate to create seamless user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with design tools is assumed, but the emphasis on "process improvement" and "documentation" suggests that the candidate should also be adept at using project management, collaboration, and potentially analytics tools to manage and measure the design team's operational effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Empowerment: A core value driven by the company's mission to empower individuals with disabilities. This translates to a deep commitment to understanding and serving user needs.
• Empathy & Compassion: Essential for working with a user base that often faces significant challenges. This value should permeate all design decisions and team interactions.
• Innovation & Impact: Striving to create meaningful solutions that make a tangible difference in users' lives, encouraging creative problem-solving and a focus on outcomes.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Valuing teamwork across disciplines and creating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and contribute to better design.
• Excellence & Continuous Improvement: A commitment to high-quality design and a proactive approach to refining processes and skills to achieve greater efficiency and impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Product Management, Engineering, Research, Marketing, and AAC experts, fostering a unified approach to product development.
• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback during design reviews and team discussions to collectively elevate the quality of work.
• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, learnings from research, and innovative techniques within the design team and across departments.
• Proactive Communication: Maintaining transparent and consistent communication with stakeholders regarding design progress, challenges, and decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission heavily influences its values. A Design Manager must embody and foster a culture of empathy, user advocacy, and a drive for impactful, accessible innovation, while also operationalizing collaboration effectively.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Catering to a wide spectrum of communication abilities, cognitive differences, and physical limitations within the user base, requiring nuanced and adaptable design solutions.
• Bridging Physical and Digital: Ensuring a cohesive and intuitive experience between tactile/print-based communication tools and digital software interfaces.
• Navigating Complex Requirements: Working within a specialized field (AAC/assistive technology) that may have unique technical, regulatory, or clinical considerations.
• Scaling Design Operations: As the company grows, efficiently scaling design processes, tools, and team capacity to meet increasing demands while maintaining quality.
• Advocating for Design Resources: Ensuring the design team has the necessary resources, tools, and buy-in from leadership to execute effectively.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen AAC Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in Augmentative and Alternative Communication principles, technologies, and user populations.
• Master Accessible Design Frameworks: Become an expert in WCAG, universal design, and other accessibility standards relevant to assistive technologies.
• Lead Operational Excellence: Develop advanced skills in design operations, process management, and team scaling methodologies.
• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute to high-level product strategy and roadmap planning, influencing the direction of assistive communication technology.
• Industry Engagement: Participate in assistive technology conferences, workshops, and professional networks to stay abreast of industry trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in leading design for users with communication disabilities present significant opportunities for professional growth in empathy, problem-solving, and specialized design expertise. The role also offers a chance to hone operational leadership skills in a meaningful context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Vision & Strategy: "How would you define and communicate a design vision for a product line that spans both digital applications and physical communication aids?" "How do you ensure your design strategy aligns with broader business objectives and user needs?"
• Team Leadership & Development: "Describe your approach to managing, mentoring, and developing a team of designers with diverse skill sets." "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive design culture?" "How do you handle underperformance within your team?"
• Process & Operations: "What steps would you take to assess and improve the current design processes at Tobii Dynavox?" "How do you prioritize design initiatives when faced with competing demands?" "How do you ensure design documentation is maintained effectively for scalability?"
• Accessibility & User Focus: "How do you integrate user research and accessibility best practices into the daily workflow of a design team?" "Can you share an example of a challenging user problem you solved through design, particularly for users with communication needs?"
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: "How do you effectively collaborate with Product Management and Engineering to ensure successful product launches?" "How do you handle disagreements or conflicts with cross-functional stakeholders?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Tobii Dynavox and our mission to empower individuals with disabilities?"
• "Based on your understanding, how would you describe the ideal culture for a design team within a company like ours?"
• "How do you stay updated on trends in assistive technology and inclusive design?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Begin with a brief overview of your career and leadership philosophy. For each portfolio piece, present the context, your role, the challenges, your process (emphasizing operational improvements), the solution, and the impact (quantified where possible).
• Showcase Process & Operations: Dedicate specific slides or talking points to your process, how you managed the team, and any operational improvements you implemented. Use visuals to illustrate workflows or process diagrams.
• Highlight Accessibility: Ensure at least one project clearly demonstrates your expertise and commitment to inclusive and accessible design.
• Conciseness & Clarity: Be prepared to present your key projects within a set timeframe (often 20-30 minutes), leaving ample time for Q&A. Practice your delivery to ensure it's clear, engaging, and confident.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle feedback, and your vision for the future of design at Tobii Dynavox.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate not just their design outputs but also their operational approach to design management, process optimization, and team leadership, specifically within the context of Tobii Dynavox's mission.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.
• Curate Your Operations-Focused Portfolio: Select projects that prominently feature your experience in process improvement, team management, and delivering both digital and print/physical design solutions. Clearly articulate the operational aspects of your design work.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords related to design leadership, user-centered design, inclusive design, accessibility, process optimization, team management, and any experience in the AAC or assistive technology sectors. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.
• Prepare Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, ensuring you can clearly communicate your design process, leadership approach, and any operational efficiencies you've implemented. Practice your delivery for clarity and impact.
• Research Tobii Dynavox & AAC: Thoroughly understand the company's mission, products, and the challenges faced by individuals using AAC devices. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.