Manager, Product Design (UGC)

Scribd, Inc.•Vancouver, BC

73d•Hybrid

About The Position

Scribd, Inc. is on a mission to advance human understanding. Our four products — Scribd®, Slideshare®, Everand™, and Fable — help billions of people across the globe move beyond access and into insight, application, and expertise. Culture at Scribd, Inc. We support a culture where our employees can be real and be bold; where we debate and commit as we embrace plot twists; and where every employee is empowered to take action as we prioritize the customer. We believe the best work happens when individual flexibility is balanced with meaningful community connection. Scribd Flex empowers employees to choose the workstyle and location that support their best performance, while committing to intentional in-person moments that strengthen collaboration and culture. Occasional in-person attendance is required for all Scribd, Inc. employees, regardless of location. So what are we looking for in new team members? At Scribd, Inc., we hire for “GRIT.” Traditionally defined as the intersection of passion and perseverance toward long-term goals, GRIT reflects the mindset we expect from every employee. For us, it also serves as a practical framework for how we work: setting and achieving Goals, delivering Results within your role, contributing Innovative ideas and solutions, and strengthening the broader Team through collaboration and attitude. This posting reflects an approved, open position within the organization. The team Design at Scribd, Inc. makes complex ideas feel simple. We help millions of people learn, explore, and share knowledge every day. We care deeply about our customers and design with the business in mind. We bias toward action and over-communication. We debate openly and push each other toward better ideas and better craft. We celebrate wins, learn from losses, and laugh through both. The role We’re hiring a Product Design Manager to lead our UGC Design team—owning team performance, clarity, and execution across a complex, system-heavy space. You will partner closely with our Principal UGC Design Lead, who drives craft and strategic direction. Your role is to sharpen thinking, reinforce standards, and translate strategy into clear priorities and delivery discipline. This role reports to the Director of Product Design and will play a critical role in raising the bar for how UGC Design operates—across performance, cross-functional alignment, and impact. This role is ideal for a manager who thrives in ambiguity, sets a high standard, and is comfortable creating productive tension in service of better outcomes.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience raising the bar for senior designers and navigating performance conversations with clarity and empathy.
8+ years of product design experience, including 3+ years people management experience.
Experience leading teams in complex or system-heavy product areas.
Strong product judgment and strategic thinking, especially in ambiguity.
Ability to partner effectively across functions and stakeholders.
Clear communicator who can align teams and move decisions forward.
Resume with 8+ years experience designing complex, consumer-facing products and 3+ years leading teams.
Portfolio with 3+ case studies that show strategic leadership, measurable impact, and a point of view grounded in the why.
Password, if applicable.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the UGC design team
Manage and mentor a team of senior product designers working across content trust, multi-doc discovery, and core experiences across Scribd and Slideshare.
Define what “great” looks like at each level and reinforce that bar consistently.
Provide direct, specific feedback that sharpens thinking and improves outcomes.
Own career development and performance management—including addressing gaps early and clearly.
Partner with the Principal UGC Design Lead to ensure strong craft direction and clear expectations across the team.
Improve systems, not just features
Bring clarity and focus to ambiguous problems, and drive simplification.
Translate strategy into clear priorities, resourcing, and sequencing.
Strengthen planning, handoff, and cross-team alignment—without adding unnecessary process.
Ensure consistency and quality across surfaces, tools, and workflows.
Strengthen culture and accountability
Shape team rituals that reinforce clarity, ownership, and high standards.
Hold designers accountable to role expectations and impact.
Create an environment of psychological safety paired with high performance.
Contribute to Design org hiring, calibration, and bar-raising efforts.

Benefits

Scribd Flex (flexible work model)
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
Mental health support and disability coverage
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, winter break, volunteer time, and sabbaticals
Paid parental leave and family support benefits
Retirement matching and employee equity
Learning and development programs and professional growth opportunities
Wellness and home office stipends
Complimentary access to the Scribd suite of products
Enterprise access to leading AI tools