Strategic Design Manager (m/w/d)TEAMS Chicago

You

As a Strategic Design Manager, you’ll serve as the critical link between creativity, technology, and business. Drawing on your experience with complex technical products and working with high-tier accounts, you’ll not only develop exceptional design solutions but also strategically plan and execute them. This role comes with multi-dimensional responsibilities, including:

Creative Visionary & Partner: inspire and lead a talented team of junior and senior designers and engineers. Develop innovative design concepts independently, facilitate impactful internal and external workshops, and actively contribute to idea generation to drive creativity and innovation. Work confidently with C-level partners and clients, building strong relationships and delivering solutions that align with their strategic goals.

Technical Expert: Apply your expertise in modern production processes and materials to solve complex strategic challenges. Combine design expertise with an engineering mindset to develop practical, innovative solutions that meet technical and business goals.

Project & Account Manager: Manage major key accounts with professionalism and care, overseeing projects from the initial pitch to successful delivery. Confidently present ideas to clients, manage budgets effectively, and articulate solutions that resonate with stakeholders. Approach all interactions with clarity, professionalism, and tact.

We

TEAMS is a globally recognized, multi-award-winning design studio specializing in the development of product-oriented brands, both physical and digital. Our expertise spans strategic innovation, user experience design, industrial design, and brand communication, making us a trusted partner for international clients.

At our Chicago Studio, located in the heart of the city, we pride ourselves on state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge equipment. Our in-house capabilities enable us to serve a diverse range of global clients with precision and excellence.

However, our greatest asset are our people. Our team is composed of designers, engineers, strategists, and communication experts who collaborate seamlessly to tackle challenges and deliver innovative solutions. At TEAMS, teamwork is at the core of everything we do, making each day a fulfilling and collaborative journey.

To strengthen our team, we are now looking for a Strategic Design Manager who can make a significant contribution to our design quality and project realisation with their experience, creative flair and technical expertise

Requirements

We’re looking for an experienced designer and/or manager with a sharp eye for detail, a passion for technical products, and a strong flair for innovative design. To excel in this role, you’ll need more than just a passion for industrial design—you’ll bring the following skills and qualifications:

Educational Background: A degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a comparable specialization. Advanced academic degrees in Business Administration or equivalent business programs are a plus.

Professional Experience: at least 8 years of experience in product/industrial design is required. Expertise in UI/UX, or digital products, VAVE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering) or DTV (Design to Value) is highly desirable.

Technical Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of production methods and production-chain processes.

Tools of the trade: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard tools, including Rhino, KeyShot, Adobe Creative Cloud, and VBL Creation.

Workshop Expertise:Experience in organizing and facilitating creative workshops, with the ability to actively contribute as an idea developer.

Language Requirements: Business-level proficiency in English is required. Additional languages are a plus.

Soft Skill Set: Strong creative capabilities combined with analytical, business, and technical acumen to drive design innovation and strategy. A confident and inspiring leadership style that motivates teams and builds lasting relationships with clients. Entrepreneurial thinking with a strong customer-oriented approach.

Project Management:Proven experience in planning, budgeting, and managing design projects, including customer-facing responsibilities and budget oversight.

Residency Status: A valid Green Card for the United States with at least three years of remaining eligibility is mandatory. Temporary work visas or other forms of limited residency permits are not eligible for this role.