Most Important Skills For a Design Program Manager at a Big Tech Company
Marin, a Design Program Manager, identifies "being a super communicator" as a crucial skill, emphasizing adaptability to diverse communication styles and the ability to connect with various team members. The role also necessitates flexibility, a willingness to "take on change really openly," and a deep appreciation for the design process, advocating for creative teams within a large corporation.
Communication, Adaptability, Project Management, Advocacy, Design Appreciation
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Marin Dennis
Design Program Manager
Fortune 10 Technology Company
Santa Clara university 2012
California college of the arts MBA in design strategy
Communications
Technology
Creative
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Excellent communication skills, adapting to different communication styles is crucial
2. Flexibility and adaptability are key to handling unexpected changes and challenges in projects.
3. A deep appreciation for design and the ability to advocate for designers within the organization.
Transcript
What skills do you think are most important for a job like yours?
That's a great question. My number one that comes to mind is being what I call a super communicator. It's being able to work with a lot of different types of people and adapt how you communicate and work, knowing that everyone communicates differently.
It's not a one-size-fits-all world at work. The people who excel in this job are really those who can work with many different types of people and find ways to connect with them. They encourage them to get their job done or collaborate on a project.
Communication is definitely a huge part of design operations. Other valuable skills include flexibility and adaptability. This means being able to take on change openly and bounce back when things aren't going exactly as planned.
You're always moving fluidly, coming up with solutions as new problems arise. So, being open and willing to work that way is important. Things aren't always perfect, and that's okay.
Design program managers often want things to be a certain way. Many of us are type A personalities, but you also have to have the skill set to be fluid and adaptable.
Lastly, I think it's really important to value and appreciate design. A huge part of the job is being an advocate for designers and design teams in large businesses and having a seat at the table.
This means valuing what we do and respecting the creative process. You need to understand what designers need to uncover brilliant products. Creative people work a bit differently than everyone else.
So, finding that balance between getting things done and moving timelines forward, while also letting people be creative and have interesting conversations, is key. These conversations, even if not always immediately productive, help get ideas out. Loving design and being an advocate for it is a crucial skill.
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