Design led innovation - Manager

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all. 

The Opportunity: Manager – Design-Led Innovation (Customer)

Our Design-Led Innovation (DLI) team is a close-knit, agile group of 8 multidisciplinary designers. We focus on solving complex business challenges using innovation & design methods, strategic foresight, in-depth data driven research, and user-centered research. As we grow, we’re seeking entrepreneurial, self-starting professionals who can take initiative, think strategically, and wear multiple hats within a dynamic, evolving practice.

We're looking for someone with strong expertise in innovation design and research, excellent leadership skills, and a proven ability to deliver global-quality design outputs. If you're passionate about transforming businesses through human-centered design and know how to navigate both creative and corporate environments, we’d love to connect with you.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Content Management

• Lead research and innovation projects (qualitative and quantitative) across US, EMEIA, and APAC regions.
• Manage project lifecycles including planning, execution, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.
• Work closely with researchers to develop research designs, tools (e.g., discussion guides, questionnaires), and compelling, insight-driven deliverables.
• Ensure high-quality standards in visual and communication outputs.
• Use data to generate meaningful insights and actionable recommendations.
• Manage budgets, resourcing, and timelines to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Oversee quality control for all deliverables, including surveys, reports, and visual documentation.
• Foster collaboration across disciplines and promote shared learning and communication rituals within the team.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a small team of 2–3 innovation researchers on each project.
• Provide hands-on guidance, support, and problem-solving throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Deliver coaching and feedback to support team growth and performance.

Stakeholder Management & Business Development

• Act as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, building trust and facilitating co-creation.
• Identify new business opportunities and initiate conversations with engagement partners to showcase innovation capabilities.
• Build strong commercial relationships across EY’s global design studios and leadership network.
• Lead client conversations on innovation strategy and human-centered transformation.
• Facilitate workshops and co-creation sessions for clients.

Practice & Operations Development

• Manage billing schedules and track revenue for ongoing and future projects.
• Contribute to internal practice-building materials: capability decks, technical overviews, event planning, and knowledge artifacts.
• Design and deliver trainings, playbooks, and frameworks to support team development and operational excellence.
• Stay current with industry trends and thought leadership in innovation, research, and design.
• Support team members with personalized growth paths and continuous feedback.

EY | Building a better working world 

 
EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.  

 
Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.  

 
Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.