Lead Design Program Manager

About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary
The Environments team at Rivian is looking for a dynamic Lead Design Program Manager to champion scalability and agility; you will work with Design leadership to establish and lead the day-to-day operations of the team, including organizing team logistics, orchestrating design efforts with cross-functional partners, supporting internal initiatives, scheduling, weekly reporting, and resource management. This role requires a highly organized self-starter with a thorough understanding of digital platforms and a proven track record for managing complex digital projects in an iterative and fast-paced environment. The Environments team is Rivian's in-house design team responsible for defining the physical touchpoints of the brand's identity, from commercial and our customer-forward spaces and events to workplace, production, and everything in between. We define and craft experiences enabling brand discovery, activation, intention, commitment, purchase, and onboarding through delivery.
Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Design leadership to establish operational procedures focusing on environmental graphic design, architecture, and interior design projects, which includes design execution, strategic planning, reporting, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Partner with Associate Creative Directors to establish a bridge between Environments, including digital commerce, communication, and marketing, while managing interdependencies.
• Optimize communication channels from creative teams to design leadership and extend these channels to cross-functional partners.
• Drive large initiatives and align stakeholders across teams, including senior leadership and executives.
• Develop and manage extensive program roadmaps, timelines, and communications across vertical programs spanning multiple channels and product functions.
• Communicate and negotiate priorities, scope, expectations, dates, and milestones with cross-functional team members, including product management, engineering, quality assurance, and senior leadership and executives.
• Manage the full program and project lifecycle, from prioritization and briefing to creative development, delivery, visual quality assurance, and post-launch iteration.
• Create and execute a strategy for the design team's growth and well-being, including educational activities and workshops, while fostering collaboration with other departments.
• Work with finance and procurement teams on budget forecasting and managing contracts with freelancers and external agencies.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of experience in project/program management, working closely with creatives (i.e., designers, copywriters, strategists), product managers, engineering, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in and understanding of digital production, physical fabrication processes, and customer journey development.
• Demonstrated track record of establishing systems and programmatic approaches to organizational challenges that are flexible in execution.
• Competency in balancing long-term strategic development with immediate execution needs.
• Proven experience managing complex programs and/or multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and a willingness to pivot as needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and superior organizational skills.
• Resourceful, innovative, and proactive and have the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment under tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Jira, Confluence, Figma, Slack, Microsoft Suite.

Pay Disclosure
Salary Range for California Based Applicants: $150,000 - $173,000 (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).
Benefits Summary: Rivian provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, and Rivian covers most of the premiums.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.