Design Program Manager

Design Program Manager in Munich

Who We Are:

AVATR is about bringing people together, connecting ideas and cultures. We believe that people from different backgrounds working together in a multidisciplinary atmosphere inspire each other to create a design composition that radiates its richness from the inside out.

Inspired by the concept of an 'avatar', AVATR aims to enable each user to create another self in an intelligent parallel world, becoming "your most emotionally intelligent companion." Our technology focuses on emotional intelligence and stands for casual luxury with forward-looking design and warm technology. Through a holistic approach, we understand users’ lifestyles and desires to help them pursue what they love.

As an explorer in the new track of smart electric vehicles (SEV), AVATR is committed to building an international high-end SEV brand. Learn more about us: https://www.avatr.com/en

What It’s Like to Work With Us:

“Our Design Center is a vivid platform where people from all over the world find a stage to unleash their talents! It's a place where innovative minds meet, and a bold, lively discourse of different views and multidimensional design thinking is always welcome. Authenticity and originality based on our unique design philosophy generate remarkable designs. The AVATR Design Center feels like a small creative family with the vision to find solutions towards a future high-end experience with a humanized spirit.”

• Nader Faghihzadeh, Chief Design Officer at AVATR

About the Role:

We are currently seeking a Design Program Manager to join our experienced and international AVATR Design Team in Munich. Here, we strongly believe in the power of design as a propeller towards continuous innovation and breaking boundaries. Our design-driven philosophy is at the core of our company, influencing every product we create, every service we provide, and every relationship we nurture. This permanent position welcomes your creative freedom. Each team member’s unique contribution is essential to our collective growth. With your fresh insights, we’ll explore new heights together in a culture of mutual respect, trust, and lively collaboration.

Location: Munich, Germany

Key Responsibilities:

• Efficient planning, monitoring, and steering of dedicated design projects
• Ensuring projects stay within budget and time limitations, delivering the highest quality
• Managing organization-wide alignments through key communication channels and reporting
• Overseeing and monitoring global design activities to ensure timely delivery of high-standard assets
• Analyzing and resolving conflicts in a multicultural environment, removing hurdles, and acting as a catalyst for Design Leadership
• Collaborating with suppliers
• Supporting departmental development regarding processes, methods, and tools in collaboration with the department manager
• Assisting the department manager with long-term resource and budget planning
• Managing issue escalation to the next level
• Other duties as required
• Willingness to travel (domestically and internationally) as required

What You Will Bring:

• University degree or equivalent in Automotive/Industrial Design, Engineering, and/or Project Management
• Fluency in English; other languages are a plus
• 5 years of work experience in a global automotive context, preferably OEM
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a Project Manager
• Strong planning, steering, and controlling skills with a focus on details and precision
• Preferably IPMA / PMI or similar Certification
• Excellent understanding of the automotive design environment and its challenges
• Familiarity with automotive design development processes
• In-depth knowledge of requirements and deliverables for each design development phase
• Strong knowledge of engineering criteria and requirements
• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task efficiently
• Reliability and ability to work without close supervision
• Ability to manage and complete projects from beginning to end
• Strong verbal and visual communication skills
• Proactive and self-motivated, capable of working as part of a team in a fast-paced international environment
• Ability to deliver under tight time constraints
• Strong sense of responsibility

Nice to Have:

• Strong planning, steering, and controlling abilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player attitude
• Willingness to learn and continuously improve
• Decision-making capabilities
• Resilience

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary package
• Permanent position in a future-oriented company
• 30 days of paid vacation per year
• Mobile working options and flexible working hours
• International and multicultural team
• Flat hierarchy and short lines of communication
• Empowering environment with actionable feedback
• Individual development and training opportunities
• Modern office atmosphere, friendly colleagues, and free coffee

If you’re excited about this role, we’d love to hear from you!