Job Description, DLI Manager 2025

About Us

At EY, design is a powerful tool for envisioning the future, transforming businesses, and crafting exceptional customer experiences. With a presence in over 40 locations worldwide, our global design community includes more than 2,200 professionals—ranging from innovation strategists and service designers to creative technologists and experience experts. Together, we collaborate with EY’s broader advisory teams to help clients design, build, and launch innovative products, services, and ventures.

Our Customer practice is growing rapidly, and we are expanding our GDS (Global Delivery Services) Design Studios. We’re on the lookout for multidisciplinary talent—design strategists, innovation designers & researchers—who thrive in ambiguity and are ready to drive change through design.

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, innovation strategy & management, in-depth data driven research, design thinking and user-centered research methods. 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.

Skills & Attributes

• 10+ years of experience in research, design, or innovation roles—preferably in a consulting or agency setting.
• Knowledge of Innovation management (basics), design thinking, strategic foresight, scenario building & research methods (Qual + Quant) is a must.
• Proficiency in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, and willingness to work across both.
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical and storytelling skills—able to convert research into strategic insights and business value.
• Strong stakeholder and client engagement skills, including presentation and facilitation.
• A track record of supporting and mentoring junior team members.
• A portfolio that showcases your ability to lead and deliver high-quality design and research outcomes.