Design Systems Manager

Overview

DEPARTMENT: Technology, Systems and Delivery

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £65,000 - £75,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application - though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

WE ARE BBC STUDIOS

A globally renowned media company borne of the BBC. We make and distribute the world's most sought-after TV, audio and digital content.

Our ambition is to be the home of the most powerful, entertaining, and inspiring stories for people all around the world.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join our global, mission-driven team as Design Systems Manager and help shape the future of the BBC's digital products beyond the UK. You'll lead the evolution of a critical design foundation, collaborating with talented designers, engineers, and product leaders. This is your opportunity to build scalable, accessible, and elegant solutions that impact millions of users worldwide. Working in a supportive, creative, and inclusive environment, you'll influence the visual and functional quality of BBC's global digital presence. If you're passionate about design systems, love mentoring, and want to make a real impact on a globally recognized brand, then this is the team for you!

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Lead the development, maintenance, and evolution of the BBC's global design system, ensuring consistency, scalability, and alignment across multiple products and platforms.
• Define, document, and govern design guidelines, principles, and best practices, championing accessibility, inclusivity, and a cohesive visual language.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and design operations to build efficient, reusable components and improve workflows between design and development.
• Provide training, support, and mentorship to internal teams, fostering adoption of the design system and guiding junior designers.
• Contribute to the creative vision of the product suite, stay informed on industry trends, and actively promote a collaborative, innovative work culture.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• 7+ years of experience in digital product design/UX within a team environment, with a strong portfolio showcasing multiple relevant projects.
• Expertise in Figma and proficiency in using digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Miro, Zoom, Teams).
• Solid understanding of design tokens and how they map to code for consistency across platforms.
• Deep understanding of WCAG accessibility standards and a process-oriented, detail-driven approach to documentation.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Experience working in the news media industry.
• Familiarity with emerging design technologies, trends, and tools.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership through mentoring or guiding junior creatives.
• Passion for user-centered design, with creative problem-solving skills and an interest in evolving digital audience behaviors.
• If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.

Information at a Glance

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: , registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.

Life at BBC Studios

• A flexible 35-hour working week with 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy an extra five days.
• Defined pension (up to 10% employer contributions).
• Caring and parenting support, 24/7 remote GP access, life assurance and accident benefit.
• BBC Studios is a world leader in operating sustainably both on and off screen. Find out more about BBC Group's science-based Net Zero targets here.
• Career development in a values-led purpose-driven culture.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

You belong

We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy below.

Diversity, inclusion & belonging strategy

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss:

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: , registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.