Product Design Program Manager

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

1d•$216,000 - $240,000•Onsite

About The Position

OpenAI is seeking an experienced Product Design Program Manager to help scale, support, and streamline operations within its growing product design organization. This role is crucial for shaping how the design team operates, from strategic planning to day-to-day execution, enabling the delivery of high-quality design work at speed and scale. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of design operations in high-growth technology companies, combined with adaptability, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership. This position is based at the San Francisco HQ and offers relocation assistance.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in design operations roles within high-growth tech environments.
Experience building and scaling 0-1 operational systems across multidisciplinary teams—balancing long-term vision with hands-on execution.
A flexible orientation toward process–understanding when it's most effective, how and when to advocate for it, and what it can't do.
Deep familiarity with the design and product development process—from early research and concepting through delivery and iteration.
Experience managing shared design tools, assets, and libraries to support consistency and efficiency at scale.
Skilled at vendor and contractor management, with a focus on enabling seamless collaboration and high-quality outcomes.
Highly organized, action-oriented, and comfortable getting in the weeds to get things done.
Strong communicator and collaborator, experienced in working with senior leadership, technical partners, and designers of all levels.
Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy solving problems in real time to help teams move forward.

Responsibilities

Partner with design leadership to identify and implement programs, processes, and tools that help the team operate more effectively across multiple product workstreams.
Lead operational planning and execution for key initiatives, including team-wide rituals, hiring coordination, onboarding, resource allocation, and internal communications.
Build and maintain scalable systems that support team growth, executional excellence, and strong collaboration with research, engineering, and product counterparts.
Oversee asset management practices across the design organization, ensuring shared libraries, templates, and systems are version-controlled, accessible, and consistently used.
Manage external vendors and contractors—handling onboarding, scoping, resourcing, contract workflows, and performance tracking to extend the team’s capacity with quality and accountability.
Partner closely with Product and Engineering Operations to align OKRs, roadmaps, and delivery milestones.
Help manage intake, prioritization, and resource planning for design work across a fast-moving and highly collaborative product environment.
Drive clarity around ownership, roles, and execution timelines—ensuring the right people are in the loop at the right time.
Facilitate retrospectives, team health check-ins, and continuous improvement efforts to help the team operate at its best.
Jump in where needed—whether that’s standing up a new system, running a sprint planning session, onboarding a vendor, or troubleshooting a tool.