UX/UI Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX/UI Design Manager

Company: Engineering Group

Location: Milano, Italy

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: UX/UI Design Management & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-05

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage a team of creative UX/UI designers to deliver innovative digital experiences.

• Drive project delivery, ensuring functional excellence (UX) and aesthetic quality (UI) for web and mobile products.

• Actively manage client relationships, understand their needs, and propose value-added services.

• Foster team cohesion, mentorship, and professional development within the design team.

• Contribute to DesignOps, process optimization, and the adoption of new AI-based tools to enhance workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates within Crispy, a specialized company of the Engineering Group focused on digital experiences. The UX/UI Design Manager will be instrumental in both commercial opportunity development and the execution of the commercial strategy for clients, bridging the gap between design leadership and client success.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Project & Delivery Management:

  • Guide strategic projects, balancing individual contribution with team coordination to ensure client satisfaction and high-quality output.
  • Take full ownership and accountability for assigned projects, serving as the primary technical and design liaison with clients and the Head of Design.
  • Present and defend design choices, articulating the rationale behind proposed solutions to clients and stakeholders.
  • Support the Head of Design in reviewing deliverables, monitoring team performance, and ensuring adherence to qualitative standards.
  • Track project progress against agreed-upon timelines and milestones.

• Client Management:

  • Maintain proactive dialogue with clients regarding their projects, attending operational meetings and identifying evolving needs.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Design and Project Managers to identify and propose up-selling and cross-selling opportunities, enhancing client value.

• Team Mentorship & Coaching:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for the design team, proactively identifying and addressing workload imbalances, friction points, or specific needs to foster a cohesive and productive work environment.
  • Motivate the team towards shared objectives, providing clear operational direction and consistent technical support.
  • Assist the Head of Design in developing individual growth plans for designers, contributing to resource evaluation and the assignment of professional and project-specific goals.

• DesignOps, Processes & Innovation:

  • Support the Head of Design in activity planning, including defining workloads, timelines, and priorities.
  • Ensure adherence to agreed-upon project timelines and budgets through effective organizational strategies.
  • Drive methodological evolution by evaluating and proposing new processes, tools, and AI-based solutions to optimize workflows and integrate them into team operations.
  • Uphold the design strategy defined by leadership, ensuring its effective implementation across projects.

• Pre-Sales & Estimation:

  • Support the Head of Design in pre-sales activities, participating in client meetings and preparing necessary technical documentation.

  • Contribute to project estimations by assessing effort, timelines, and costs for digital product and service delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on hands-on design leadership and operational management. The role requires a candidate who can not only guide design strategy but also manage client expectations, team performance, and process improvement, integrating DesignOps principles into daily operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though extensive relevant experience will be strongly considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a UX/UI Designer, with a proven track record in designing complex digital products (web/mobile). Experience within digital agencies, consulting firms, or structured tech companies is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• UX/UI Design Expertise: Deep understanding of Human-Centered Design principles and mastery of UX/UI design methodologies.

• Tool Proficiency: Daily hands-on experience with Figma; familiarity with other design tools is a plus.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.

• Client Management: Excellent skills in client communication, needs assessment, and relationship building.

• Technical Dialogue: Strong ability to engage in technical discussions with front-end and back-end development teams.

• DesignOps Acumen: Solid knowledge of DesignOps principles, including effort estimation, team activity planning, and workflow optimization for efficiency.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and mentor creative teams, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

• Problem-Solving: Exceptional problem-solving capabilities and a results-oriented approach.

• Emotional Intelligence: High levels of empathy and emotional intelligence for effective team and client interactions.

• Innovation Mindset: Curiosity and a keen interest in experimenting with new AI-based tools and technologies relevant to design.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• English Proficiency: Strong command of the English language, both spoken and written.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other design and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision).

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies.

• Experience in pre-sales activities and contributing to proposals.

• Understanding of AI applications in design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "DesignOps Acumen" and "AI-based tools" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in optimizing design processes and their proactive engagement with emerging technologies. The requirement for "daily hands-on experience with Figma" is critical.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 3-5 complex digital product design projects (web/mobile) that demonstrate your end-to-end design process from research and ideation to final delivery and iteration.

• Leadership Examples: Include specific examples or case studies where you led a design team, managed project delivery, or mentored junior designers. Highlight your role in ensuring client satisfaction and project success.

• Process Optimization: Detail instances where you implemented new processes, tools, or workflows to improve team efficiency, collaboration, or design quality. Quantify the impact where possible.

• Client Interaction: Provide examples of client presentations, stakeholder management, and how you've effectively communicated design rationale and solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out and document design workflows, from initial client brief to final asset handoff, emphasizing clarity and efficiency.

• Tool Integration: Showcase how you've integrated various design tools (e.g., Figma, project management software, communication platforms) into a cohesive operational system.

• Performance Metrics: Present examples of how you've defined, tracked, and reported on design team performance or project success metrics, including qualitative and quantitative outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio should not only highlight design quality but also demonstrate strong leadership, project management capabilities, and a proactive approach to DesignOps. Candidates should be ready to articulate the "why" behind their design and process choices, especially concerning efficiency and client value.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on regional benchmarks for UX/UI Design Managers in Milan with 5-10 years of experience, and considering the leadership and client-facing responsibilities, the estimated salary range is €55,000 - €75,000 per annum. This range is indicative and will be finalized based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and interview performance.

Benefits:

• Competitive annual salary.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.

• Contribution to the growth of an innovative digital experience company within a larger group.

• Dynamic and collaborative work environment with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.

• Potential for career advancement within Crispy and the wider Engineering Group.

• Standard Italian employment benefits (e.g., health insurance, paid time off).

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility to manage project deadlines. The role requires on-site presence in Milan.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in Milan, Italy, considering the specified experience level and the scope of responsibilities. Factors such as the company's specialization within the Engineering Group and the emphasis on innovation and AI tools may position this role towards the higher end of the estimated range for exceptional candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Digital Services, Web & Mobile Development, UX/UI Design Consultancy.

Company Size: Engineering Group is a large organization, and Crispy, as a specialized division, likely operates with the agility of a focused unit while benefiting from the resources of a larger entity. This suggests a professional yet innovative environment.

Founded: Engineering Group has a significant history, implying stability and established practices, while Crispy, focused on digital experiences, likely embodies a more contemporary and agile culture.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Design Manager reports directly to the Head of Design.

• The role involves leading and supervising a team of creative UX/UI designers.

• Close collaboration is expected with other Leads (e.g., Project Managers, Technical Leads) and cross-functional teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on Human-Centered Design principles implies a user-centric approach grounded in research and data.

• Agile Project Management: Implied by the need for delivery management, client responsiveness, and collaboration with development teams.

• Process Optimization: A core responsibility is to evaluate and improve design workflows, likely leveraging DesignOps best practices.

• Innovation & Experimentation: Encouragement to explore and integrate new tools, including AI-based solutions, to enhance design processes and outcomes.

Company Website: [Engineering Group Company URL - Placeholder, actual URL not provided]

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is expected to be a blend of professional rigor from the Engineering Group and the innovative, client-focused dynamism of Crispy. The emphasis on "Ambition," "Proactivity," "Transparency," and "Motivation to improve and grow together" suggests a performance-oriented yet collaborative and supportive team environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a mid-to-senior level management position, specifically within the design operations and leadership track. It requires a blend of deep design expertise, proven leadership capabilities, and operational acumen. The scope includes direct team management, client-facing responsibilities, and strategic input into processes and business development.

Reporting Structure: The UX/UI Design Manager reports to the Head of Design, indicating a clear line of leadership within the design department. This structure allows for strategic alignment and mentorship from a senior design leader.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Design Manager has a significant impact on the company's success by:

• Ensuring the quality and effectiveness of digital products, directly influencing client satisfaction and retention.

• Driving business development through effective pre-sales contributions and proposal generation.

• Optimizing team efficiency and resource allocation, impacting project profitability and delivery speed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Head of Design or similar senior leadership roles within Crispy or the broader Engineering Group.

• Strategic Impact: Opportunity to influence the overall design strategy, service offerings, and technological adoption for Crispy.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in DesignOps, AI in design, or specific industry verticals through project work and continuous learning.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gain experience managing diverse teams and collaborating on large-scale digital transformation projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical bridge between hands-on design execution and strategic operational management. Growth is envisioned through expanding leadership responsibilities, influencing company-wide design practices, and potentially specializing in cutting-edge areas like AI-driven design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Milan, Italy, within an office environment. This suggests a professional setting conducive to collaboration, client meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): Milano (Bassi), Italy. This location provides access to a major business hub, facilitating client interactions and networking opportunities within the Italian market.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on communication and collaboration suggests an open or semi-open workspace designed to foster interaction among team members.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), project management tools, and potentially advanced AI tools to support design and operational tasks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage daily with fellow designers, project managers, and development teams, promoting a synergistic approach to project delivery.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected, with the understanding that flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and client demands. The on-site nature of the role supports in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Milan is key. Candidates should value in-person collaboration and direct team engagement. The workspace is likely equipped to support modern design workflows, including digital collaboration tools and potentially dedicated areas for brainstorming and client presentations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess experience, leadership capabilities, and alignment with the role's core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Head of Design to delve into your experience, leadership philosophy, project management skills, and understanding of DesignOps and client management.

• Team & Case Study: Potential interview with other leads or team members, possibly involving a hands-on design challenge or a detailed presentation and discussion of your portfolio case studies, focusing on your problem-solving approach and how you'd handle specific scenarios.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase leadership, end-to-end process ownership, and impact. Prioritize projects that align with the responsibilities outlined in this description (e.g., complex digital products, client-facing roles, process improvements).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed (including any specific methodologies or tools), the challenges you overcame, your key decisions, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Leadership & Operations: Explicitly detail your responsibilities in managing projects, leading teams, collaborating with stakeholders (clients, developers), and implementing process improvements or DesignOps principles. Use quantitative data (e.g., improved efficiency by X%, reduced delivery time by Y%) where possible.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Visually showcase your use of Figma and any other relevant tools. Be prepared to walk through your Figma files and explain your design system or component library approach.

• Address AI Interest: If you have experience or strong interest in AI tools for design, be ready to discuss it with specific examples or proposals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Thinking: Be prepared to discuss your approach to user research, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Operational Scenarios: Anticipate questions about managing difficult clients, resolving team conflicts, prioritizing tasks under pressure, and estimating project effort.

• DesignOps Questions: Prepare to answer questions about team structure, workflow optimization, tool adoption, and how you ensure design quality and efficiency at scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only design skills but also leadership, operational management, and client-facing capabilities. A well-structured portfolio that clearly articulates your contributions to project success and process improvement will be crucial for making a strong impression.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for daily UX/UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Proficiency in its advanced features, component libraries, and design systems is expected.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools (e.g., InVision, Adobe XD) may be beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for task tracking, sprint planning, and workflow management.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for team communication and coordination.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to understand user behavior and inform design decisions.

• Experience with A/B testing platforms and how to interpret results.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a primary CRM role, understanding how UX/UI design impacts the customer journey within a CRM context is valuable.

• Awareness of automation tools that might integrate with design workflows, especially in areas like content personalization or user feedback collection.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is Figma mastery. Beyond that, the role demands proficiency in project and team management tools, with an understanding of how design integrates with analytics and broader business systems. An openness to exploring and integrating AI-based tools is a significant plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Ambition: A drive to achieve significant goals and a commitment to continuous personal and professional growth. This translates to pushing creative boundaries and aiming for impactful design solutions.

• Proactivity: Taking initiative to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and drive actions without constant direction. In this role, it means proactively managing client needs, team dynamics, and process improvements.

• Transparency: Open, honest, and constructive communication. This applies to feedback within the team, communication with clients, and reporting on project status and challenges.

• Motivation to Improve & Grow Together: A collaborative spirit focused on collective success. This means being open to feedback, sharing knowledge, supporting team members, and actively contributing to a learning environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role emphasizes strong collaboration with development teams (front-end/back-end) and Project Managers, ensuring seamless integration of design into the development lifecycle.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is encouraged and valued, both for design outputs and operational processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote the dissemination of best practices, learnings from projects, and insights into new tools and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are clearly articulated and point towards a culture that rewards initiative, collaboration, and a results-oriented mindset with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate these values in their responses and approach.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Excellence with Delivery Constraints: The primary challenge will be ensuring high-quality, innovative design while meeting client deadlines and budget limitations. This requires strong project management and negotiation skills.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively communicating and aligning design vision with clients, development teams, and internal leadership, each with potentially different priorities.

• Integrating New Technologies (AI): Successfully evaluating, adopting, and integrating AI-based tools into existing workflows requires careful planning, team training, and demonstrating tangible benefits.

• Team Motivation and Development: Keeping a creative team engaged, motivated, and growing, especially under project pressure, requires strong leadership and mentorship.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• DesignOps Specialization: Opportunity to become a leader in DesignOps, refining processes and strategies for a growing digital design practice.

• AI in Design Exploration: Hands-on experience and leadership in adopting and experimenting with cutting-edge AI tools that are transforming the design landscape.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing advanced skills in client engagement, strategic consulting, and business development within the digital services sector.

• Leadership Mentorship: Direct mentorship from the Head of Design and potential exposure to broader leadership within the Engineering Group.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant opportunities for professional growth by tackling complex challenges in a rapidly evolving digital design landscape. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach these challenges and leverage the associated learning opportunities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a complex UX/UI project from conception to launch. What were your key responsibilities, and how did you ensure successful delivery and client satisfaction?" (Focus on leadership, project management, and client interaction.)

• "How do you balance the need for creative innovation with tight project deadlines and budget constraints? Provide an example." (Assess problem-solving and operational efficiency.)

• "Imagine a scenario where the client is resistant to a key design recommendation. How would you approach this situation to gain their buy-in?" (Evaluate negotiation, communication, and client management skills.)

• "What is your experience with DesignOps, and how have you used it to improve a design team's efficiency or output?" (Gauge understanding of operational best practices and process improvement.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Crispy and Engineering Group, how do you see this role contributing to our overall commercial strategy?" (Demonstrate business acumen and role alignment.)

• "Our values include Ambition, Proactivity, Transparency, and Motivation to Grow Together. How have you embodied these values in your previous roles?" (Assess cultural fit and behavioral alignment.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role & Process -> Solution -> Impact/Results.

• Quantify Your Impact: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your projects and process improvements (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced design cycle time).

• Highlight Leadership & Operations: Explicitly call out your management of people, projects, clients, and processes. Show, don't just tell, how you led and optimized.

• Be Ready to Deep Dive: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design decisions, technical challenges, and how you leveraged specific tools like Figma.

• Engage and Discuss: Treat the portfolio review as a collaborative discussion, not just a presentation. Be open to questions and feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, strong leadership, operational effectiveness, and client management skills. The ability to articulate your impact with data and showcase your understanding of DesignOps and emerging technologies will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your leadership experience, project management accomplishments, client-facing roles, and specific achievements in UX/UI design, emphasizing the 5+ years of design and 2+ years of leadership experience.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select 3-5 robust case studies that demonstrate end-to-end project ownership, team leadership, client management, and any process optimization efforts. Ensure clear articulation of your role, challenges, solutions, and measurable impact.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to present and discuss your portfolio in detail, focusing on your problem-solving approach, design rationale, and operational strategies. Practice articulating your contributions to project success and team efficiency.

• Research Crispy & Engineering Group: Understand their focus on innovative digital experiences, their market position, and their company values to align your responses with their mission and culture.

⚠️ 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.