Staff 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. As an Etsy employee, you will tackle unique, meaningful, and large-scale problems alongside passionate coworkers, all the while making a rewarding impact and Keeping Commerce Human.

We believe exceptional companies are built by exceptional teams, and we’re intentional about it. That means hiring great people, setting them up for success from day one, and giving them real reasons to grow their careers here. We invest in development that goes beyond promotions, and we foster the trust and relationships that help people do their best work together.

What’s the role?

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.

What’s this team like at Etsy?

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.

What does the day-to-day look like?

Operational Excellence & Stability

• Architect Team Stability: Design and maintain the operational infrastructure that allows the UX Foundations team to work with deep focus. You will “shield” the team by streamlining intake and ensuring the roadmap is realistic and well-protected.
• Master the Backlog: Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of the Design System and Content Design backlogs. You’ll ensure work is granular, actionable, and aligned with quarterly goals.
• Define Prioritization Logic: Establish and socialize clear, observable principles for how the team prioritizes work—balancing urgent “bug fixes” with long-term “foundational builds.”
• Optimize Team Rhythms: Create high-signal, low-friction cadences (standups, retros, crits) that improve team flow, decision quality, and craft standards.
• Org Wide Scope: Lead occasional org‑wide programs with the Director of Design Program Management to extend practices beyond the Design Systems team.

Governance & Organizational Relationships

• Orchestrate Design Org Integration: Facilitate the high-level framework for how product teams interact with UX Foundations. You will focus on the interplay between core standards and local team needs, ensuring product designers have the structure to stay consistent and move fast without creating bottlenecks.
• Drive Organizational Alignment: Act as the primary link between UX Foundations and the broader Product Design organization. You’ll ensure that system updates are synchronized with product release cycles.
• Strategic Visibility: Develop streamlined, audience-appropriate reporting (dashboards, newsletters, executive summaries) that makes the team’s impact and progress observable to collaborators and leadership.

Content Design & Cross-Functional Ops

• Content Design Scaffolding: Build the operational framework for Content Design. This includes running their backlog, developing capacity deployment strategies, and ensuring their work is integrated into broader design reviews.
• Technical & Brand Liaison: Partner with Engineering Ops and Brand Design to ensure the design system remains technically viable and brand-aligned. You’ll participate in (but not necessarily lead) technical discussions regarding the design-to-code pipeline.
• External Partner Management: Serve as the operational lead for design agencies or vendors as needed, ensuring external work meets Etsy’s standards and is in…