Exterior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Exterior Design Manager Company: Avatr GmbH Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany Job Type: Full-time Category: Automotive Design Operations Date Posted: 2025-08-04 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the exterior design team to deliver high-quality creative output for concept and production vehicle programs.
• Drive day-to-day design activities, ensuring project timelines and objectives are met through effective coordination and resource management.
• Mentor and guide designers to foster professional growth, elevate creativity, and enhance design quality within the team.
• Collaborate with leadership to define and maintain a compelling, forward-thinking exterior design vision aligned with brand and product strategy.
• Act as a key liaison between the design team and cross-functional departments, ensuring design feasibility and seamless program integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a high-end, disruptive automotive brand, emphasizing a need for strategic leadership in exterior design. The "Manager" title suggests a focus on team leadership, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of operational management within a design department. The emphasis on "emotional intelligence" and "casual luxury" in the company description points towards a design philosophy that requires careful translation into tangible exterior design elements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Department Director in overseeing the exterior design team's daily operations and creative output.
• Manage project timelines, resource allocation, and prioritization for exterior design activities to ensure timely delivery of design milestones.
• Provide mentorship and constructive feedback to junior and senior designers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill development.
• Collaborate closely with the Department Director to shape and articulate the brand's future exterior design language and aesthetic direction.
• Conduct and facilitate design reviews, ensuring design intent, consistency in form language, proportions, and brand identity are maintained across all vehicle programs.
• Interface with engineering, product planning, and program management teams to validate design feasibility and ensure alignment with technical and commercial requirements.
• Effectively communicate design concepts, rationale, and progress to internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, engineering, and marketing.
• Research and integrate emerging design trends, advanced technologies, and market influences into compelling and relevant exterior design proposals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a blend of people management, project execution, and strategic design input. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration ("interface cross-functionally with engineering, product planning, program management") highlights the operational aspect of ensuring design vision translates into production reality. The requirement to "communicate design intent clearly and persuasively" underscores the need for strong stakeholder management skills, a key component of operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Solid professional experience in automotive exterior design, with a proven track record of successfully delivering both concept and production vehicle programs.
• Demonstrated experience in leading design projects and managing design teams within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Proven ability to mentor junior designers and cultivate a positive, growth-oriented team culture.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in 2D sketching techniques for rapid ideation and concept development.
• Advanced 3D modeling capabilities, with a sophisticated understanding of form, proportion, and visual storytelling.
• Exceptional ability to balance creative vision with practical program constraints and engineering requirements.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both design and non-design stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of automotive design trends, market influences, and emerging technologies.
• Experience in facilitating design reviews and providing actionable, constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with advanced rendering software and visualization tools.
• Experience working with international and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes and materials.
• A keen eye for detail, with a refined sense of automotive aesthetics and brand identity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for both creative prowess and operational management skills. The emphasis on a strong portfolio of "concept and production vehicle programs" suggests that candidates must demonstrate a tangible impact on actual automotive products, not just theoretical concepts. The blend of 2D sketching and 3D modeling indicates a need for hands-on design capability, while leadership and communication skills point to the managerial and operational aspects of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of automotive exterior design projects, demonstrating a clear progression from concept ideation to production-ready execution.
• Evidence of successful project leadership and team coordination, with examples of how design challenges were overcome through effective management.
• Case studies highlighting the application of design thinking to solve complex problems, demonstrating a structured approach to design development and problem-solving.
• Visual documentation of design feasibility analysis and cross-functional collaboration, illustrating how design intent was translated into manufacturable solutions.
• Examples of how brand identity and design philosophy were consistently applied across different projects and product lines.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to articulate and document the exterior design process, from initial brief to final design freeze, including key decision points and stakeholder approvals.
• Experience in developing and implementing design workflows that optimize efficiency and foster collaboration within the design team and with external partners.
• Documentation of how design reviews were structured and conducted, including feedback mechanisms and follow-up actions to ensure continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a role of this nature in a design-focused organization inherently requires a strong portfolio. The "Manager" title and responsibility for leading a team imply that candidates should be able to present not only their individual design work but also their ability to manage and guide the design process for a team. This includes demonstrating how they ensure quality, efficiency, and alignment with brand strategy, which is a core operational competency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Approximately €75,000 - €105,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary: Commensurate with skills, experience, and the significant impact of the role.
• Hybrid Working Model: Offers flexibility to balance in-office collaboration with remote work.
• Generous Annual Leave: 30 days of paid annual leave for work-life balance.
• Health & Wellness: Access to the Wellhub Pass, supporting employee well-being.
• Employee Development: Opportunities for learning, training programs, and continuous professional growth.
• Transport Support: Provided via a Deutschland ticket or a fuel card, facilitating commuting.
• Meal Allowance: Contribution towards meals at the company canteen.
• Celebratory Gifts: Acknowledgment of work anniversaries and during Chinese New Year.
• Company Events: Regular team-building activities and social gatherings to foster a strong team culture.
• Inclusive Culture: A commitment to a diverse and supportive work environment where all voices are valued.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid arrangement allowing for flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for Exterior Design Manager roles in Munich, Germany, considering the specified experience level (5-10 years) and the high-end automotive sector. The benefits package is detailed as provided, highlighting aspects beneficial to operations professionals such as professional development and work-life balance initiatives.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive (Smart Electric Vehicles - SEV) Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but the context of a "new Disruptive and High-End Brand" suggests a growing, potentially dynamic organization. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but AVATR is presented as a modern brand focused on future mobility.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Department Director of Exterior Design, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design department.
• The Exterior Design Manager will lead a team of designers, implying direct reports and responsibility for their output and development.
• Close collaboration with Engineering, Product Planning, and Program Management teams is a key aspect, indicating a cross-functional, integrated team environment.

Methodology:

• The company emphasizes a "design-driven philosophy" and a "holistic approach" to understanding user lifestyles and desires.
• Innovation and breaking boundaries are core tenets, suggesting a culture that encourages experimentation and forward-thinking solutions.
• Collaboration and a "lively discourse of different views" are encouraged, pointing towards an open and dynamic approach to design problem-solving.

Company Website: https://www.avatr.com/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as a "vivid platform" and a "small creative family" with a strong vision. This suggests an environment that values collaboration, individual contribution, and a shared passion for design. The emphasis on emotional intelligence and forward-looking design implies a culture that is both technically advanced and human-centric. The "disruptive and high-end" positioning signals a commitment to quality and innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position within the design operations function. It is responsible for leading a specific design discipline (exterior design) and managing a team, bridging individual contribution with strategic departmental goals.

Reporting Structure: The Exterior Design Manager reports to the Department Director of Exterior Design. They will also collaborate extensively with heads of other departments such as Engineering, Product Planning, and Program Management.

Operations Impact: The Exterior Design Manager plays a crucial role in translating the brand's vision and strategy into tangible product aesthetics. Their operational efficiency in managing the design process directly impacts product development timelines, quality, and market appeal. By ensuring design feasibility and cross-functional alignment, they contribute significantly to the successful launch and market reception of new vehicles.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Department Director or Head of Design roles, taking on broader strategic responsibilities for the entire design function.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of automotive design, such as concept development, production surfacing, or advanced technology integration.
• Cross-functional Expertise: Development of skills in program management, engineering liaison, and product strategy through close collaboration with other departments.
• Brand Building: Direct contribution to shaping the aesthetic identity of a new, high-end automotive brand, offering significant career visibility and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career progression within a growing automotive brand. The combination of design leadership and operational management provides a strong foundation for advancing into higher-level strategic roles within the automotive industry or design sector. The emphasis on innovation and a "disruptive" approach suggests opportunities to be at the forefront of automotive design evolution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company offers a hybrid working model, indicating a blend of office-based collaboration and remote work flexibility. This suggests modern office facilities designed to support both focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Munich, a major hub for the automotive industry in Germany, known for its innovation and engineering talent.

Workspace Context:

• The design team operates in a "vivid platform" and "creative family" atmosphere, suggesting a collaborative and inspiring workspace.
• Designers are encouraged to "unleash their talents" and engage in "bold and lively discourse," implying an environment that supports open communication and creative expression.
• Access to necessary design tools and technologies is implied, crucial for high-level automotive design work.
• Opportunities for interaction with peers from diverse backgrounds are highlighted, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule is expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement provides flexibility in how these hours are structured, balancing core working hours with personal needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a key feature, offering operational flexibility. The collaborative and creative atmosphere in Munich is typical of design-centric companies in the automotive sector, providing access to a rich ecosystem of talent and industry connections.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely an HR or recruiter screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the Department Director to delve deeper into technical skills, leadership style, and alignment with the team's vision. This is often where portfolio review begins.
• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing key exterior design projects, leadership examples, and problem-solving approaches. Be prepared to discuss your role, process, and impact.
• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from engineering, product planning, or program management to assess collaboration skills and understanding of design feasibility.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit and long-term contributions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your exterior design expertise, leadership capabilities, and understanding of the design process from concept to production. Include examples of managing teams or projects.
• Showcase Process: Detail your design methodology, including ideation, sketching, 3D modeling, collaboration with engineering, and how you navigated constraints.
• Highlight Impact: Quantify your contributions where possible. Discuss the outcomes of your work, such as successful product launches, design awards, or improvements in efficiency.
• Tell a Story: Present your work narratives clearly, explaining the problem, your approach, the challenges faced, and the final solution. Emphasize your leadership in guiding these processes.
• Tailor to AVATR: Research AVATR's design philosophy and current product line. Showcase projects that align with their aesthetic and technological direction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or a detailed discussion on how you would approach a specific design problem relevant to AVATR's brand and future products.
• Leadership Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing team conflict, motivating designers, prioritizing projects under pressure, and providing constructive feedback.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Prepare examples of how you have effectively worked with engineering and other departments to achieve design goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a managerial role in design operations will heavily weigh the candidate's ability to articulate their process, manage projects, and lead teams, in addition to their design skills. The portfolio is critical for demonstrating these capabilities, so candidates should prepare to discuss not just the final output but the operational journey and their role within it.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 2D Sketching Software: Proficient use of tools like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or similar for conceptual sketching and ideation.
• 3D Modeling Software: Advanced skills in industry-standard CAD software such as Alias AutoStudio, CATIA V5/V6, or similar for creating detailed exterior surfaces and models.
• Rendering Software: Experience with rendering engines like KeyShot, VRED, or similar for creating photorealistic visualizations of design concepts.
• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project for tracking tasks, managing timelines, and coordinating team efforts.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While direct data analytics is not the primary focus, understanding how design decisions impact metrics (e.g., aerodynamics, market appeal scores) may be beneficial.
• Proficiency in presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote) is essential for communicating design proposals and progress reports to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design data integrates into broader product lifecycle management (PLM) systems would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list software, the core requirements for automotive exterior design imply proficiency in industry-standard CAD, sketching, and rendering tools. The "Manager" aspect also suggests familiarity with project management and collaboration platforms. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency with these tools and how they leverage them to manage design workflows and team output.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A core value driving the pursuit of new ideas and boundary-pushing design solutions.
• Collaboration & Openness: Encouraging a lively discourse and the sharing of diverse perspectives to enrich the design process.
• Authenticity & Originality: Valuing unique contributions and a distinct design philosophy that radiates richness.
• Quality & Precision: Maintaining high standards in form language, proportions, and overall design execution.
• User-Centricity: Designing with an understanding of user lifestyles and desires, aiming for emotional intelligence and humanized spirit.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamlessly working with engineering, product planning, and program management to ensure design feasibility and alignment.
• Constructive Feedback: Engaging in design reviews that provide clear, actionable, and supportive feedback to designers.
• Team Mentorship: Actively guiding and developing team members, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
• Open Communication: Encouraging a culture where ideas can be freely exchanged and debated respectfully.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values strongly influence the operational approach. The emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and user-centricity suggests that operational processes should facilitate these principles, rather than hinder them. The "lively discourse" points to an operational style that embraces diverse input and constructive debate.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Vision with Constraints: Effectively translating a forward-looking design vision into manufacturable and commercially viable vehicles, navigating engineering, cost, and timeline limitations.
• Managing Diverse Creative Teams: Leading a team of designers with potentially different styles and working methods, ensuring cohesive output and professional development for all.
• Rapidly Evolving Market: Keeping pace with fast-changing trends in the smart electric vehicle (SEV) sector and integrating new technologies and user expectations into design.
• Establishing Brand Identity: Playing a key role in defining and solidifying the exterior design language of a new, high-end automotive brand in a competitive market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Exposure to Cutting-Edge SEV Technology: Working at the forefront of the smart electric vehicle industry, gaining insights into advanced mobility solutions.
• International Design Collaboration: Opportunities to work with a global team, learning from diverse perspectives and cultural influences.
• Brand Strategy Involvement: Contributing to the strategic direction of a new automotive brand, influencing its market positioning and aesthetic identity.
• Professional Development Programs: Access to training and learning resources to enhance leadership, design, and project management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in the automotive design sector but are amplified by AVATR's status as a new, disruptive brand. Successfully navigating these challenges offers significant opportunities for growth and development, particularly in shaping the future of automotive design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within your exterior design team while ensuring alignment with brand strategy?" (Focus on operational processes for team management and creative output.)
• "Describe a time you successfully managed a complex automotive exterior design project from concept to production. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare a detailed case study showcasing project management and problem-solving.)
• "How do you balance creative vision with the technical and commercial constraints imposed by engineering and production teams?" (Emphasize your process for cross-functional integration and negotiation.)
• "What is your approach to mentoring junior designers and supporting their professional development?" (Highlight your leadership and team-building methodologies.)
• "How do you stay current with design trends and emerging technologies in the automotive industry, and how do you translate these into compelling design directions?" (Showcase your research process and strategic thinking.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of AVATR's brand philosophy, how would you ensure our exterior design language reflects 'emotional intelligence' and 'casual luxury'?" (Research the brand extensively and prepare specific design examples.)
• "Our Design Center is described as a 'vivid platform' and a 'small creative family.' How do you see yourself contributing to and thriving in such an environment?" (Align your personal values and working style with the company culture described.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (concept vs. production) or by the skills you want to highlight (leadership, problem-solving, technical execution).
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or clear outcomes to demonstrate the success of your projects. Discuss how your designs contributed to program goals.
• Focus on Process, Not Just Pictures: For each project, explain your role, the challenges faced, the design process undertaken, how you managed the team or project, and the final outcome.
• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared for questions and discussions during your presentation. Make it interactive and demonstrate your passion and expertise.
• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss the specifics of your 3D modeling techniques, surfacing strategies, and how you collaborated with CAD engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design acumen but also strong operational management skills, including team leadership, project execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should be ready to articulate their processes and demonstrate how they drive results within a design context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Exterior Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best showcase your leadership in automotive exterior design, your process for managing design teams, and your ability to deliver both concept and production work. Include examples of cross-functional collaboration.
• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in managing design projects and teams, your proficiency in relevant design software, and your contributions to successful vehicle programs. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on storytelling, process explanation, and demonstrating your leadership and problem-solving skills. Prepare answers to common interview questions related to design management and team leadership.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research AVATR's brand, design philosophy, and current product offerings. Understand their vision for smart electric vehicles and how your role contributes to achieving these goals.

⚠️ 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.