Manager, Product Design

About Carvana
Carvana is a Fortune 500 Company growing at an unrivaled pace. We’re on a mission to change the way people buy, sell and trade cars. We're a tech-forward company that is innovating logistics networks, vehicle reconditioning processes, e-commerce and customer service. We believe in treating every customer with the same level of care and respect we would give our own moms.

We’re looking for people who are excited to thrive in an environment of impactful change. Team spirit is evident at Carvana and every day we let our passions and creativity foster innovation. We take big swings, set ambitious goals and challenge each other to make data and process-driven decisions in everything we do. Here are a few of our stories. We’ve been changing the game since 2013, and we’re not taking our foot off the gas now.

THIS IS A 100% ON-SITE POSITION FROM OUR PLAYA VISTA OFFICE (Monday through Friday)

About the team and position
As a Product Design team manager, you will lead multiple Product Designers across several product tracks, overseeing both the quality of Design execution and the career growth of your direct reports. This role is a key leadership position responsible for scaling Design impact, aligning user experience strategies with business objectives and ensuring Design consistency across platforms.

You’ll work closely with directors, senior directors and other functional leaders to drive strategic initiatives, develop systems-level thinking and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. You are an advocate for user-centered Design and operational excellence, able to influence decisions at all levels of the organization. You’re committed and dedicated to the mission, and will be unrelenting in your pursuit of excellence. You're comfortable operating at an urgent pace and set a very high bar for yourself and others.

Core Experience

• 10+ years of UX or Product Design experience
• 3+ years in a formal people management role
• Demonstrated success leading multiple teams leading complex cross-platform initiatives

Role Objectives

Leadership & Strategy

• Guide the vision, direction and execution of UX strategies across multiple product tracks
• Partner with directors, product and engineering leadership to align Design work with company goals
• Provide leadership and mentorship to Team Leads and Senior Designers, ensuring team growth and performance
• Proactively identify gaps in product and Design strategy, advocating for high-impact Design opportunities
• Set the tone for cross-functional collaboration, championing inclusive and user-first thinking
• Drive prioritization and planning of UX resources across initiatives

People Management

• Manage and grow a team of UX professionals, including Team Leads and Senior Designers
• Support career development plans in collaboration with the UX director
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews and promote continuous learning within the team
• Foster a positive, high-performance team culture that promotes inclusion, feedback and innovation

Operational Excellence

• Define and improve UX workflows, tools and best practices in partnership with the UX director
• Monitor project health, delivery timelines and Design quality across teams
• Ensure Design consistency across platforms through governance of standards, patterns and systems
• Lead team-wide initiatives that improve efficiency, communication and team engagement

Collaboration & Communication

• Act as a key liaison between UX and other functions including product management, engineering and marketing
• Facilitate cross-team Design critiques, workshops and strategic planning sessions
• Represent the UX function in high-level product and business discussions
• Evangelize the value of Design thinking throughout the organization

Systems Thinking & Design Quality

• Ensure that products not only meet business and user needs but also connect with Carvana’s larger ecosystem
• Provide oversight and input on large-scale, cross-product Design efforts
• Promote data-informed decision making using analytics, user feedback and market research
• Evaluate and elevate the quality of user experiences across products and platforms

Team Contribution

• Partner with UX Director and senior leadership to shape the future of the UX organization
• Influence high-level product strategy and vision
• Guide and evolve Carvana’s UX culture and practice
• Lead initiatives around diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the Design team
• Champion continuous improvement in both Design craft and leadership effectiveness

Approach

• Operate with a product-wide and platform-level mindset
• Balance strategic thinking with operational detail
• Be proactive, adaptable, and empathetic in leadership style
• Build strong, trust-based relationships across disciplines
• Stay current with trends in Product Design, UX leadership, and organizational Design
• Be committed and open to embracing AI tools, embracing new ways of working and disrupting traditional workflows to accelerate and amplify Design’s impact.
• Be deeply creative and curious

If you’re a Design leader who thrives at the intersection of user experience, business strategy, and team development — and you're passionate about delivering meaningful, delightful digital experiences — we’d love to meet you!

What we’ll offer in return

• Competitive salary and Carvana stock compensation
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• 401K with company match
• A multitude of perks including student loan payments, discounts on vehicles, benefits for your pets, and much more
• A great wellness program to keep you healthy and happy both physically and mentally
• Access to opportunities to expand your skill set and share your knowledge with others across the organization

Other requirements

To be able to do your job at Carvana, there are some basic requirements we want to share with you.

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.

Of course, we’ll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs.

Legal Stuff

Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.  Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.