Design Program Manager, Design Systems

Company Description

Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We build, power, and evolve the tools and technologies that connect millions of entrepreneurs with millions of buyers around the world.

Salary Range: $ - $

We’re hiring a Staff Design Program Manager to drive the operations that power Etsy’s UX Foundations team. You’ll blend hands‑on program and project management with strategic operational impact to help the team plan, build, review, and drive adoption of our design system and content strategy across product teams. The role primarily supports the Design Systems and Content Design teams, with flexibility to take on org‑wide initiatives.

This is a full‑time position reporting to the Director of Design Program Management.

In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for an equity package, an annual performance bonus, and our competitive benefits that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Etsy.

For this role we are considering candidates based in the United States. Candidates living within commutable distance of Etsy’s Brooklyn Office Hub may be the first to be considered. For candidates within commutable distance, Etsy requires in‑office attendance once or twice per week depending on your proximity to the office.

The UX Foundations team is a core part of our design organization – empowering a team of exceptional designers who create the systems, components, and patterns that power both Buyer and Seller experiences on Etsy. You will partner daily with product designers, content designers, PMs, and Engineers. You’ll also collaborate with the Brand Design organization to align product and brand systems and standards.

Your work will directly contribute to Etsy's mission of Keeping Commerce Human by enabling product teams to focus on solving customer problems while maintaining the unique, human‑centered experience that defines Etsy.

Design and maintain operational infrastructure that allows the UX Foundations team to work with deep focus. Shield the team by streamlining intake and ensuring the roadmap is realistic and well‑protected.

Drive the end‑to‑end lifecycle of the Design System and Content Design backlogs. Ensure work is granular, actionable, and aligned with quarterly goals.

Establish and socialize clear, observable principles for how the team prioritizes work—balancing urgent bug fixes with long‑term foundational builds.

Create high‑signal, low‑friction cadences (stand‑ups, retros, critiques) that improve team flow, decision quality, and craft standards.

Lead occasional org‑wide programs with the Director of Design Program Management to extend practices beyond the Design Systems team.

Facilitate the high‑level framework for how product teams interact with UX Foundations, ensuring product designers have the structure to stay consistent and move fast without bottlenecks.

Act as the primary link between UX Foundations and the broader Product Design organization. Ensure system updates are synchronized with product release cycles.

Develop streamlined, audience‑appropriate reporting (dashboards, newsletters, executive summaries) that makes the team’s impact and progress observable.

Build the operational framework for Content Design, run their backlog, develop capacity deployment strategies, and ensure their work is integrated into broader design reviews.

Partner with Engineering Ops and Brand Design to keep the design system technically viable and brand‑aligned. Participate in technical discussions on the design‑to‑code pipeline.

Serve as the operational lead for design agencies or vendors as needed, ensuring external work meets Etsy’s standards and is integrated seamlessly into the team workflow.

• 8+ years in program management, project management, or design operations within product development.
• Direct experience with design systems and component libraries.
• Experience working with content designers.
• Ability to context‑switch smoothly…