Senior UX Design Manager, Gmail and Discover Ads

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Design Manager, Gmail and Discover Ads

Company: Google

Location: New York, NY; Mountain View, CA; Seattle, WA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Design Management / Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: August 18, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and define product strategy for user experience within Gmail and Discover Ads, focusing on the integration of generative AI and novel ad formats.

• Drive conceptualization of ecosystem-level UX, mitigating complexity and advocating for users and the design team.

• Manage and mentor a team of UX designers, fostering their career growth and a culture of forward-thinking design innovation.

• Collaborate closely with Engineering and Product Management leaders to align business objectives with cutting-edge design solutions.

• Own and evolve design systems and processes across complex, cross-functional organizations to ensure quality and consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within Google's Core team, emphasizing strategic influence, team development, and the creation of foundational design elements for flagship products. The integration of generative AI and the focus on advertising experiences are key differentiators.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion product vision and design strategy for Gmail and Discover Ads, with a specific emphasis on innovative ad formats and AI-driven personalization.

• Lead the entire UX design lifecycle, from conceptualization and user research to high-fidelity prototyping and execution, ensuring a systems-level approach.

• Foster a collaborative environment with Engineering, Product Management, and other cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment and successful product delivery.

• Guide the professional development of direct reports, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and career pathing opportunities within Google's design organization.

• Own and evolve design systems, ensuring consistency, scalability, and adherence to Google's brand and quality standards across multiple product surfaces.

• Translate complex user needs and business requirements into elegantly simple and intuitive user experiences.

• Advocate for user-centric design principles and conduct UX testing to inform design iterations and improvements.

• Manage project priorities, resource allocation, and timelines effectively to ensure successful project completion.

• Influence stakeholders at executive levels to gain buy-in and support for design strategies and initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design oversight, and people management. The emphasis on "ecosystem-level UX," "systems-level thinker," and "mitigating complexity" suggests a need for a candidate who can operate at a high strategic level while also understanding the intricacies of large-scale product development. The specific mention of generative AI and ad formats indicates a focus on cutting-edge product development within a competitive advertising landscape.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Master's degree in a related field is preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in product design or UX, with a demonstrated track record of shipping successful products.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading design projects and managing people or design teams, with a focus on mentorship and career development.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working directly with and influencing executive leaders, presenting design strategies and gaining buy-in.

• Preferred: 7 years of experience working within a complex, cross-functional organization, navigating intricate stakeholder landscapes. Required Skills:

• Product Design & UX Expertise: Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.

• Design Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and grow a team of designers, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Strategic Thinking & Vision: Capacity to define product strategy, conceptualize ecosystem-level UX, and translate business goals into design solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong ability to partner effectively with Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, and other stakeholders.

• Systems Thinking: Ability to analyze complex systems, identify interdependencies, and design holistic solutions.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Skill in building relationships, communicating effectively, and influencing decisions at all levels, including executive.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, leadership contributions, and problem-solving skills is mandatory.

Preferred Skills:

• Generative AI & Emerging Technologies: Familiarity with the application of generative AI in user experiences and content personalization.

• Advertising Technology (AdTech) UX: Experience designing user experiences for advertising platforms, ad formats, or ad tech solutions.

• Design Systems: Experience in developing, maintaining, and scaling design systems across multiple products.

• User Experience Testing & Research: Proficiency in leveraging user research and testing methodologies to inform design decisions.

• Agile Development Methodologies: Experience working within agile or iterative product development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is critical. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects that demonstrate not only their design skills but also their leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives. The emphasis on "systems-level thinker" and "ecosystem-level UX" suggests a need to highlight projects where the candidate considered the broader product ecosystem and its interconnectedness.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrated Leadership: Showcase projects where you led design teams, defined design strategy, and influenced product direction.

• Process Optimization: Include case studies detailing how you improved design processes, workflows, or design systems to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Systemic Design: Highlight projects that exhibit a deep understanding of complex systems and how you designed for interconnectedness across products or features.

• Impact & ROI: Quantify the impact of your design contributions, demonstrating improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, conversion rates, or business outcomes.

• Generative AI & AdTech Integration: If possible, include examples of work related to AI-driven experiences or advertising solutions, showcasing innovative approaches.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and refining design workflows, from research and ideation to final execution and handoff.

• Design System Implementation: Documentation or examples of how you've contributed to or led the development and adoption of design systems.

• Cross-functional Process Integration: Examples of how you've established seamless collaboration processes between design, engineering, and product management.

• Metrics and Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you track and analyze the performance of design solutions and use data to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should be a narrative of the candidate's ability to lead, strategize, and execute within a large-scale product environment. For this role, specific emphasis should be placed on showcasing how the candidate has managed complexity, influenced stakeholders, and driven innovation, particularly in areas related to user engagement and advertising.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• US: $236,000 - $329,000 (USD) per year.

• This range is competitive for a Senior UX Design Manager role at a major tech company like Google, located in high cost-of-living areas such as New York, Mountain View, and Seattle. The exact salary will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, education, and location within these regions. Benefits:

• Bonus Target: Up to 25% of base salary, tied to individual and company performance.

• Equity: Stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs), providing long-term financial incentives and ownership.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with company match.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

• Parental Leave: Paid leave for new parents.

• Wellness Programs: Access to fitness facilities, wellness resources, and mental health support.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, conferences, and tuition reimbursement.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

• Other Perks: Commuter benefits, on-site amenities (depending on location), and employee discounts.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week is typically 40 hours. However, the nature of a leadership role in a fast-paced tech environment may require flexibility and occasional work beyond standard hours to meet project deadlines and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the US figures directly from the job description. The bonus target and equity are significant components of Google's total compensation package for leadership roles, reflecting the company's strategy to attract and retain top talent. The benefits listed are standard for large tech organizations and are crucial for attracting senior talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Software, Internet Services, Advertising)

Company Size: Google is a global technology giant with hundreds of thousands of employees worldwide, operating across numerous product areas and geographies. This scale offers immense opportunities for impact and collaboration.

Founded: 1998. Google has a long-standing history of innovation, user focus, and data-driven decision-making, shaping much of the modern internet landscape.

Team Structure:

• Core Team Focus: This role sits within the "Core team," which builds the technical foundation for Google's flagship products. This implies a role focused on foundational elements, developer platforms, and infrastructure that enable product excellence and innovation across Google.

• Product Scope: The role specifically focuses on UX Design Management for Gmail and Discover Ads, two high-visibility, high-engagement product areas.

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Product Management, Engineering, Research, Marketing, and other UX teams across Google. The role emphasizes influencing stakeholders across organizations.

• Leadership Hierarchy: As a Senior Manager, you will likely report to a Director or VP level within the UX or Product organization, leading a team of individual contributors (UX Designers).

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: Google's core philosophy, "Focus on the user and all else will follow," is paramount. All design decisions must be grounded in user needs and research.

• Data-Driven: Decisions are heavily informed by data, A/B testing, and user analytics to measure impact and guide iterations.

• Iterative Design: Products are continuously improved through iterative design cycles, incorporating feedback from users and stakeholders.

• Scalability & Efficiency: Designs and processes must be scalable to millions of users and efficient for development teams to implement.

• Innovation Focus: A significant emphasis is placed on exploring new technologies, such as generative AI, and their potential to create novel user benefits and business opportunities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Core team" designation suggests a role with significant influence over foundational design principles and infrastructure, rather than solely focusing on a single product's feature set. This implies a need for a candidate who can think broadly about how design impacts multiple products and the developer ecosystem.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management / Leadership. This role is a significant step beyond individual contributor or junior management, requiring strategic oversight, significant team leadership, and executive influence.

Reporting Structure: You will report to a Director or VP level within Google's UX or Product organization. You will directly manage a team of UX Designers, overseeing their work, professional development, and career progression.

Operations Impact: As a Senior UX Design Manager for Gmail and Discover Ads, your impact will be substantial. You will shape the user experience of billions of users interacting with core Google products and advertising platforms. Your strategic direction will influence product roadmaps, user engagement, advertiser success, and the ethical integration of new technologies like generative AI.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into Director-level roles, managing larger teams or broader product portfolios within Google's UX or Product organizations.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape company-wide design principles, contribute to product strategy at a higher level, and influence the direction of emerging technologies.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like AI-driven UX, advertising technology, or large-scale design systems.

• Mentorship & Advocacy: Become a recognized leader and mentor within the design community, advocating for design excellence and user advocacy across Google.

• Cross-Product Leadership: Opportunities to lead design initiatives that span multiple Google products, leveraging your experience from Gmail and Discover Ads.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within Google's extensive UX and product leadership structure. The emphasis on generative AI and advertising also presents opportunities to become a thought leader in these rapidly evolving fields within a top-tier tech company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Primarily on-site at Google's major campuses (New York, Mountain View, Seattle). While Google offers flexible work arrangements, this role is designated as on-site, emphasizing collaboration and in-person team dynamics.

Office Location(s):

• New York, NY

• Mountain View, CA

• Seattle, WA

These locations are major tech hubs, offering access to talent, industry events, and a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Google offices are known for their open, collaborative environments, designed to foster teamwork and spontaneous interaction. Expect meeting rooms, common areas, and potentially shared desk spaces.

• Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design tools, software, and internal Google platforms to support design and collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with your design team, as well as close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, and other cross-functional partners on-site.

• Amenities: Campuses often feature a wide range of amenities, including cafeterias, fitness centers, recreation areas, and various support services, contributing to a productive and engaging work environment.

Work Schedule:

• While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the leadership nature of this role may necessitate flexibility. Occasional work outside standard business hours may be required to accommodate global team collaborations, critical project deadlines, or executive-level meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site designation is important for candidates seeking a highly collaborative, in-person leadership experience within a structured corporate environment. Google's office culture is designed to support creativity and efficiency through its amenities and collaborative spaces.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into your experience, leadership philosophy, and strategic approach to UX design.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with other UX Managers, Designers, Product Managers, and Engineers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and team dynamics. This may include a "design critique" or "portfolio review" session.

• Executive/Leadership Interview: Conversation with senior leadership (Director/VP level) to evaluate strategic thinking, executive influence, and long-term vision.

• Portfolio Review/Case Study Presentation: A dedicated session where you present your work, focusing on specific projects that highlight your leadership, strategic thinking, process improvements, and impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, systems-level design, and ability to drive results. Prioritize projects relevant to large-scale products, complex organizations, or innovative technologies.

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the problem, your role and approach, the challenges you faced, your team's process, the solutions you designed, and the measurable impact. Emphasize your leadership and strategic contributions.

• Highlight Leadership & Strategy: Clearly articulate how you led teams, influenced stakeholders, defined strategy, and managed complex processes. Use "I" for your individual contributions and "we" for team efforts, clearly delineating responsibilities.

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Demonstrate how you considered the broader product ecosystem, user journey, and technical constraints in your design solutions.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, user satisfaction scores, efficiency gains).

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, how you handle conflict, how you mentor designers, and your vision for the future of UX.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Problem/Case Study: Be prepared for a design exercise or case study that might involve analyzing a complex problem, proposing a strategic UX approach, or outlining how you would tackle a specific challenge within Gmail or Discover Ads. Focus on your thought process, not just the final solution.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle specific team management situations, resolve conflicts, or onboard new team members.

• Strategic Vision: Be ready to discuss your perspective on the future of UX design, particularly in areas like generative AI and advertising, and how you would position Google's products in that landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process at Google is rigorous and multi-faceted. A strong portfolio presentation that clearly articulates strategic thinking, leadership, and quantifiable impact is paramount. Candidates should practice presenting their work and articulating their thought process concisely and compellingly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), ProtoPie, Principle. Figma is increasingly becoming the standard for collaborative design.

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, Google's internal research platforms, survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey).

• Project Management & Collaboration: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat), Asana, Jira, Trello.

• Design Systems: Familiarity with design system tools and methodologies (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight) for managing and scaling UI components.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis: Google Analytics, Tableau, Looker, SQL for data querying and analysis.

• Performance Tracking: Experience with A/B testing platforms and interpreting experiment results.

• Dashboarding: Tools for creating and presenting data visualizations and performance reports to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While this role is primarily UX Design focused, an understanding of how design integrates with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms might be beneficial for understanding the broader user and advertiser journeys.

Internal Google Tools: Expect to work extensively with proprietary Google tools for design, research, development, and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design tools like Figma is expected. For a leadership role at Google, familiarity with data analysis tools and an understanding of how design impacts business metrics (via analytics and A/B testing) are crucial. Candidates should be prepared to learn and adapt to Google's extensive internal toolset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Focus: Unwavering commitment to understanding and serving user needs above all else.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on evidence, metrics, and testing to inform strategy and design.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouraging bold ideas, embracing new technologies (like generative AI), and fostering a culture of learning from both successes and failures.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives, fostering open communication, and working effectively across teams and disciplines.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in design craft, execution, and product quality.

• Impact & Ownership: Taking responsibility for driving meaningful outcomes and contributing to Google's mission.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership: Close collaboration with Product Management and Engineering is fundamental, operating as a unified team with shared goals.

• Influence & Advocacy: Designers are expected to be strong advocates for the user and for design quality, influencing decisions through data, research, and compelling arguments.

• Open Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback and open dialogue is encouraged to refine designs and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share learnings, best practices, and insights across teams to elevate the entire organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Google's culture emphasizes a balance between individual contribution and collaborative effort, driven by data and a deep commitment to the user. For a UX Design Manager, demonstrating an ability to foster these values within their team and across cross-functional partnerships will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complexity: Managing design strategy and execution across large, complex products like Gmail and Discover Ads, involving numerous stakeholders and intricate technical systems.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating innovative ad formats and AI-driven features while maintaining a positive user experience and meeting advertiser objectives.

• Leading Through Ambiguity: Navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI and its application in user-facing products, requiring strategic foresight and adaptability.

• Driving Alignment Across Organizations: Gaining consensus and support for design strategies from diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Mentoring and Developing Talent: Effectively guiding and growing a team of talented designers, ensuring their career progression and high performance.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Direct involvement in shaping the future of AI-driven user experiences and advertising technology.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Google's extensive internal leadership training and mentorship programs.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend and present at leading UX and design conferences, staying abreast of industry trends.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Deepening understanding of engineering, product management, and business strategy through close collaboration.

• Specialization: Opportunities to become a subject matter expert in areas like AI UX, AdTech, or large-scale design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to scale, complexity, and technological innovation, but also offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and impact within a leading technology company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define the product strategy for integrating generative AI into a communication platform like Gmail, considering both user benefits and potential ethical implications?"

• "Describe a time you had to influence executive stakeholders to adopt a new design direction. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

• "How would you approach designing a new ad format for Google Discover that is both engaging for consumers and valuable for advertisers, while maintaining a seamless user experience?"

• Preparation: Think about frameworks for strategic planning, user-centric problem-solving, and stakeholder influence. Practice articulating your thought process for complex product challenges.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Given Google's 'Focus on the user' principle, how would you ensure this is upheld in the context of advertising products?"

• "Describe your philosophy on building and managing high-performing UX design teams. How do you foster growth and inclusion?"

• "How do you see the role of UX evolving with the rise of generative AI and AI-powered products?"

• Preparation: Research Google's mission, values, and recent product announcements. Understand how the Core team operates and its impact. Be ready to articulate how your values align with Google's.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level overview of your leadership philosophy and how you approach complex design challenges.

• Deep Dive on 2-3 Key Projects: Select projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, leadership, systems-level design, and ability to drive measurable impact. For each:

  • Context: Clearly state the problem, business goals, and user needs.
  • Your Role & Process: Detail your leadership responsibilities, team structure, and the design methodologies employed.
  • Challenges & Decisions: Discuss key challenges and the strategic decisions you made to overcome them.
  • Solution: Present the design solution, explaining the rationale behind key choices.
  • Impact & Learnings: Quantify the results and share key takeaways.

• Showcase Generative AI/AdTech Experience (if applicable): If you have relevant experience, dedicate time to presenting it.

• Anticipate Questions: Be prepared for deep dives into your decision-making, how you handled conflicts, and how you measure success. Practice your presentation to be concise and engaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic leadership, a deep understanding of user-centered design, and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures. The portfolio presentation is a critical component where candidates must clearly articulate their impact and thought process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Google Careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight experience in product design leadership, team management, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. Specifically emphasize any experience with large-scale products, user experience for advertising, or generative AI.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience, leadership roles, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description such as "UX Design Manager," "Product Strategy," "Systems Thinking," "Generative AI," and "Stakeholder Management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare to present your portfolio, focusing on how you've driven strategy, managed teams, and influenced outcomes.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Google's products (Gmail, Discover Ads), its core values, and its approach to user experience and innovation, particularly concerning AI and advertising. Understand the role of the "Core team" within Google.

⚠️ 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.