Product Design Manager


Overview

Reference
18461

Salary
$160,000 - $180,000/annum

Job Location
Toronto

Job Type
Full Time

Posted
27 April 2026

We're looking for a design-driven people leader to guide a high-performing team of product designers building modern, customer-facing digital experiences. This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly autonomous environment where design is becoming a key strategic driver of the business.

 

The Team & Culture

You'll lead a core team of 4-5 end-to-end Product Designers, each owning work across the full spectrum of product design - from UX logic and interaction design through content and high-fidelity visual execution.

The team operates in a fast-paced, modern, design-forward culture that values experimentation over heavy process. We're looking for someone with an innovative, "edgy" approach - not overly traditional or reliant on conventional usability playbooks.

 

The Role

This is a hybrid leadership position, with an approximate split of:

  • 65% people leadership and strategic direction
  • 35% hands-on product design contribution

     

You'll be expected to elevate design craft across the team while still maintaining strong individual execution skills, particularly in visual design and product polish.

 

Product & Platform Focus

The organization is in the midst of a major platform evolution, including:

  • Phasing out legacy products
  • Supporting an ecosystem of roughly four active platforms
  • Driving modernization of the mobile experience
  • Rebuilding performance foundations in close partnership with engineering

     

This leader will play a key role in shaping the next generation of these experiences. The design system is currently in a transitional state and there is strong opportunity to unify and mature design consistency over time.

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Design works extremely closely with Product and Engineering in a truly collaborative model - moving away from waterfall delivery toward a more integrated, design-led approach.

Past friction due to engineering constraints has largely been addressed through rebuilding efforts, creating a strong foundation for design innovation going forward.

 

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate brings:

  • Exceptional product design craft and creativity
  • Passion and curiosity that inspires teams
  • Comfort adopting and leveraging AI tools throughout the design workflow
  • 2+ years of people management experience
  • A collaborative, design-led leadership style that thrives in high-autonomy environments
  • Experience in fast-paced SaaS or fintech environments is strongly preferred. 

 

AI as a Core Expectation

AI is a key part of the future design workflow here. Designers are already doubling productivity through emerging tools, and this role will help define what meaningful "AI integration in design" looks like - balancing speed and innovation with thoughtful customer experience.

 

Why Join

  • Highly autonomous, experimental design culture
  • Company shift from engineering-led to design-led product thinking
  • Access to world-class creative resources (3D artists, sound design, filmmakers, etc.)
  • Unlimited investment in UX research
  • Freedom to try new approaches without heavy bureaucracy

 

Location: North York (Hybrid - 3 days/week in office)

 

If you're excited to lead a high-impact design team and help shape the future of modern digital product experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use

At Creative Niche Inc. all hiring decisions are made by qualified recruitment professionals.
Automated tools or AI-assisted systems are used to help screen, assess, or match applicants to open roles. These systems are designed to support, not replace, human judgment.

 

Equal Opportunity & Experience

Canadian experience is not required for consideration. Equivalent international experience is valued equally.

We're committed to creating an inclusive, accessible hiring experience. If you need accommodation at any stage, please let us know - we'll make sure you're supported every step of the way.