Product Design Manager in Japan: Everything You Need to Know
The product is a streaming platform.
I wanted to include it in the title but it was getting too long.
This is Reyna.
Reyna is a tech recruiter in Tokyo working with a major Japanese mobile app developer to hire a Product Design Manager.
I spoke with her to learn everything you need to know about being a Product Design Manager in Japan.
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
What is a Product Design Manager?
The Product Design Manager is a leadership role focused on strategic oversight and hands-on design.
You will lead a team of 15 designers, comprising visual, product, and UX specialists, and work closely with the Global Head of Design.
This role demands a strong balance between managerial duties and active design involvement, requiring someone to motivate and guide the team while contributing directly to the design process.
Responsibilities:
Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of 15 designers, providing direction, setting KPIs, and fostering professional growth through regular 1:1 meetings and performance evaluations.
Design Management: Oversee the entire product design lifecycle, from initial discovery and user research to prototyping and final implementation. Ensure design quality through continuous feedback and improvement processes.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to align design goals with business objectives. This includes creating user flows, wireframes, and prototypes that meet both user and business needs.
Hands-On Design: Spend approximately 50% of your time on direct design tasks, ensuring that you stay connected to the creative process and can provide practical guidance to your team.
Process Improvement: Develop and refine design processes, workflows, and frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within the team. Stay abreast of industry trends and integrate best practices into the design process.
KPI and Metrics: Collaborate with the product management team to develop and measure success metrics, tracking the impact and effectiveness of features and products.
What are the requirements to make this your life?
Requirements:
Experience: At least 7 years in UX/UI design, with 3 years in a management role. Proficiency in mobile app design, particularly in the B2C sector, is essential.
Skills: Strong user research and usability testing capabilities. Ability to balance uncertainty, iterative development, and business insight.
Language: Native-level Japanese proficiency is crucial for effective communication within the team and with stakeholders.
Bonus Points
Running both apps and web services.
Designing consumer software or apps serving millions of users across multiple platforms.
Here are the 5 skills that Reyan said you should focus on.
5 Skills That Will Make You Stand Out
B2C and Gaming Background:
Why It Is Important: Understanding how to create addictive, user-friendly B2C applications is crucial. These industries focus on user engagement and retention, which is vital for streaming and entertainment apps.
How to Build It: Gain experience with companies like Bandai Namco, Gree, or Capcom. Focus on projects that emphasize user engagement and create seamless user experiences.
Leadership and Management Experience:
Why It Is Important: Managing a team of 15 designers requires strong leadership skills to set KPIs, motivate the team, and drive performance. Effective management ensures smooth workflow and high-quality output.
How to Build It: Take on leadership roles in your current position. Develop skills in setting KPIs, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a collaborative team environment.
Portfolio Illustrating Design Expertise:
Why It Is Important: A strong portfolio demonstrates your ability to create seamless and engaging user experiences, which is essential for a role focused on entertainment and streaming apps.
How to Build It: Work on diverse projects that showcase your design skills. Include examples of your work in consumer tech, especially mobile apps, highlighting your design process and user-centric approach.
High-Level Japanese Proficiency:
Why It Is Important: Native-level proficiency is necessary to communicate effectively with the team and stakeholders, ensuring clear and precise collaboration.
How to Build It: Improve your Japanese language skills through advanced courses, immersion, and practice. Aim to surpass the N1 level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
Stakeholder Communication Skills:
Why It Is Important: Ability to articulate design visions, align with business goals, and negotiate with external vendors is crucial for the success of the product and the team.
How to Build It: Practice communicating your ideas clearly and effectively. Take on roles that require you to interact with various stakeholders, and learn to balance different perspectives and interests
What is the career path for a Product Design Manager?
Career Progression
This role offers significant growth opportunities, potentially leading to a director role managing other managers.
You'll have an impact on the product's design and user experience, influencing the broader direction of the company's streaming services.
Career Map
Entry Level: Junior UX/UI Designer
Role: Assist in design tasks, create user flows, wireframes, and prototypes under senior designers' guidance.
Skills Developed: Basic UX/UI design principles, user research, prototyping, and collaboration with development teams.
Mid-Level: UX/UI Designer
Role: Take on more complex design projects, lead smaller projects, and begin to manage parts of the design process.
Skills Developed: Advanced design skills, project management, stakeholder communication, and user testing.
Senior Level: Senior UX/UI Designer
Role: Lead major design projects, mentor junior designers, and influence product design strategies.
Skills Developed: Leadership, strategic thinking, advanced user research techniques, and comprehensive design lifecycle management.
Management Level: Product Design Manager
Role: Manage a team of designers, oversee the design process, and ensure alignment with business goals.
Skills Developed: Team leadership, KPI setting, performance evaluation, stakeholder collaboration, and high-level strategic planning.
Career Progression Beyond Product Design Manager After serving as a Product Design Manager, there are opportunities for further advancement:
Senior Product Design Manager: Overseeing multiple product teams, leading larger strategic initiatives, and managing senior design managers.
Director of Product Design: Managing all design managers across various product lines, shaping the overall design vision and strategy for the company.
VP of Design: Overseeing the entire design department, setting company-wide design standards, and collaborating with other executives to drive the company’s strategic goals.
Chief Design Officer (CDO): Leading the design direction at the highest level, influencing company culture, and playing a key role in executive decision-making.
Ready to apply? Use this link to reach out to us!
Before you do, here are some tips from Reyna to help you land the job.
Tips for Landing the Job
Resume Tips
Experience: Clearly state your years of experience and the technologies you’ve worked with.
Tech Stack: List your familiarity with each programming language and tool.
Projects: Detail your contributions to each project, being specific about what you implemented.
Summary: Provide a summary at the beginning of your resume, highlighting your tech stack and experience.
Tailor Your Resume: Adjust your resume to match the job description, focusing on the desired profile and required experience.
Interview Tips
Know the Company: Research the company's departments, products, and tools.
Prepare in Japanese: Be ready to interview in Japanese if required.
Motivation: Clearly articulate your motivation for joining the company.
Why People Have Been Rejected
Lack of Interest in Streaming:
Why It Happens: Candidates who do not show a genuine interest in streaming might struggle to connect with the product and its audience.
How to Avoid It: Research the streaming industry and show your enthusiasm for it. Highlight any relevant experience or personal interest in streaming platforms.
Insufficient Mobile App Experience:
Why It Happens: The role requires a deep understanding of mobile app design, particularly in the B2C sector.
How to Avoid It: Build a portfolio that showcases your mobile app design projects. Focus on your contributions to app usability and user engagement.
Inadequate Management Experience:
Why It Happens: Managing a team of 15 designers requires proven leadership skills.
How to Avoid It: Highlight your management experience, including specific examples of how you have led teams, set KPIs, and conducted performance evaluations.
Good Mobile Apps but Lacking Management Experience:
Why It Happens: Some candidates have strong design skills but lack the necessary leadership experience.
How to Avoid It: If your management experience is limited, emphasize any leadership roles you have taken, even if informal. Show your potential to grow into a management role.
FAQ
How big is the team?
Answer: The team consists of 15 designers, including visual, product, and UX specialists. The diverse composition ensures a comprehensive approach to design, blending different perspectives and expertise.
Why are they hiring for this position?
Answer: To fill a crucial middle management role. They need a Product Design Manager who can bridge the gap between the design team and the Global Head of Design, providing leadership and strategic direction while managing daily operations.
What is the team like?
Answer: The team is primarily domestic, composed of talented Japanese designers with various specializations. The collaborative environment focuses on innovation and creativity, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork.
What kind of projects will I be working on?
Answer: Community live streaming service, which competes with platforms like TikTok. The focus will be on creating engaging, user-friendly designs that enhance the streaming experience and encourage user interaction.
What are the key challenges in this role?
Answer: The key challenges include managing a diverse team, aligning design goals with business objectives, and staying current with industry trends. Additionally, balancing hands-on design work with managerial responsibilities requires effective time management and prioritization.
What is the career progression for this role?
Answer: Starting as a Product Design Manager, you can progress to Senior Product Design Manager, then Director of Product Design, followed by VP of Design, and ultimately Chief Design Officer (CDO). Each step involves increased responsibility and influence over the company's design direction.
What skills are essential for success in this role?
Answer: Essential skills include leadership, advanced UX/UI design, stakeholder communication, and a strong understanding of B2C mobile app design. High-level Japanese proficiency is also crucial for effective communication with the team and stakeholders.
What kind of background is preferred for candidates?
Answer: A background in B2C and gaming industries is highly valued. Experience with companies like Bandai Namco, Gree, or Capcom is beneficial. Candidates should also have a strong portfolio showcasing their expertise in mobile app design and user engagement.
What does the interview process look like?
Answer: The interview process includes multiple stages: an initial interview with the hiring manager to discuss your portfolio, a technical interview with engineering and product management teams, a culture fit interview with HR, and a final interview with the Board of HR. Each stage assesses different aspects of your skills and fit for the role.
What are common reasons for rejection?
Answer: Common reasons include lack of interest in streaming, insufficient mobile app experience, and inadequate management experience. Candidates must demonstrate a strong passion for streaming and relevant technical and leadership skills.
