Design Manager: Build Systems & Growth (Early-Stage)

Nicely Co.; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicely Co. is seeking a Design Manager to strengthen accessible research-led experiences, interaction quality, visual systems, prototyping, and design collaboration. This is an early-stage company, so you will help create processes and internal systems behind the work, not merely inherit a mature playbook.

The successful candidate will use sound judgment, communicate tradeoffs, and operate with appropriate autonomy. Responsibilities may evolve as the company grows.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering accessible, research-led experiences.
• Ability to own scope and make decisions with limited guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication across specialists and non-specialists.
• Ability to organize ambiguous work and document decisions.
• Experience building processes in an early-stage environment.
• Commitment to ethics, confidentiality, security, accessibility, and inclusive collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day work across accessible research-led experiences, interaction quality, visual systems, prototyping, and design collaboration.
• Translate priorities of the Design Manager role into documented plans, decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Build lightweight, repeatable processes that fit an early-stage company and can mature over time.
• Collaborate across functions to resolve dependencies and deliver complete outcomes.
• Identify risks early, recommend proportionate solutions, and escalate consequential decisions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and handle company, customer, and employee information responsibly.
• Use relevant evidence and feedback to improve quality, efficiency, and stakeholder experience.
• Communicate progress, constraints, priorities, and results clearly to affected teammates.

Skills

Accessible design

Research-led design

Visual systems

Prototyping

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Ownership

Education

Bachelor's degree in design or related field

Tools

Figma

Sketch

Job description

Nicely Co. is seeking a Design Manager to strengthen accessible research-led experiences, interaction quality, visual systems, prototyping, and design collaboration. This is an early-stage company, so you will help create processes and internal systems behind the work, not merely inherit a mature playbook.

The successful candidate will use sound judgment, communicate tradeoffs, and operate with appropriate autonomy. Responsibilities may evolve as the company grows.