Product Design Manager at Roo Veterinary

Roo is an innovative veterinary staffing technology company committed to helping animal healthcare professionals increase their earnings, enjoy greater career flexibility, and achieve a better work-life balance.

Through its advanced staffing platform, Roo connects veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and assistants with animal hospitals seeking temporary staffing support and permanent recruitment solutions.

The company supports a network of more than 20,000 veterinary professionals and over 9,000 animal hospitals, helping healthcare providers deliver quality treatment to more pets.

To date, Roo has facilitated over 3 million hours of veterinary healthcare services and enabled veterinary professionals to earn more than $200 million.

About the Position

Roo is looking for an experienced Product Design Lead who combines exceptional design expertise with strong leadership and mentoring abilities.

This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on design professional who enjoys creating outstanding digital experiences while helping other designers develop their skills and reach their full potential.

As Product Design Lead, you will oversee a team of five designers, establish company-wide design standards, and personally manage important design projects from concept to completion.

You will collaborate with product managers, engineers, business leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that Roo delivers consistent, intuitive, and high-quality experiences across its veterinary staffing marketplace.

The position offers remote work flexibility, although occasional visits to the company’s San Francisco co-working location will be required for important meetings and team activities.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Manage, mentor, and develop a five-member product design team.
• Help designers improve their creative abilities, problem-solving skills, and strategic decision-making.
• Establish clear design quality standards and ensure their consistent application across the organization.
• Conduct professional development discussions and performance evaluations in collaboration with business leaders.
• Create transparent career development pathways and support designers in advancing their careers.
• Promote a collaborative team culture focused on creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Product Design and Development

• Lead selected design projects from initial research and conceptualization through final delivery.
• Work directly in Figma to develop user interfaces, prototypes, and interactive product experiences.
• Address complex product challenges and deliver practical solutions that support business objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure designs meet user expectations and operational requirements.
• Develop innovative design concepts that improve usability, engagement, and overall customer satisfaction.
• Balance hands-on design responsibilities with leadership and team development.

Design Systems and Innovation

• Develop, maintain, and improve design systems that support consistency, scalability, and product quality.
• Introduce efficient design workflows that improve collaboration and accelerate product development.
• Explore artificial intelligence tools to enhance design productivity and prototyping.
• Support the development of AI-compatible design systems that allow prototypes to be created using reusable components.
• Establish effective practices for product discovery, interaction design, prototyping, and implementation.
• Encourage experimentation and creative problem-solving while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs.

Product Strategy and Customer Experience

• Work closely with company leadership to align design initiatives with product strategy and organizational goals.
• Promote user-centered design principles throughout the product development process.
• Conduct and support user research to understand customer behavior, preferences, and challenges.
• Identify opportunities to improve the user experience across multiple products and marketplace features.
• Help design teams make informed decisions based on research findings, customer feedback, and business priorities.
• Maintain a cohesive design experience across different business units.

Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants should possess the following skills and experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of professional product design experience.
• At least 2 years of experience managing or leading design teams.
• Proven ability to mentor experienced designers and help them develop stronger technical and strategic capabilities.
• A strong professional portfolio showcasing visual design, interaction design, systems thinking, and user-centered product development.
• Demonstrated experience building, implementing, and scaling design systems.
• Practical experience using artificial intelligence tools to improve design workflows and productivity.
• Strong proficiency in Figma and other modern product design tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to transform complex ideas into effective design solutions.
• Outstanding communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience working closely with product, engineering, and business leadership teams.
• Familiarity with different user research methodologies and usability testing techniques.
• Ability to manage design initiatives across multiple digital products or platforms.
• Strong understanding of customer experience and product development best practices.
• Previous experience designing two-sided marketplace platforms will be an added advantage.
• Genuine enthusiasm for innovation and creating products that make a meaningful difference.

Salary and Compensation

Roo provides competitive annual salaries based on geographical location, professional experience, and relevant qualifications.

Geographic Tier	Annual Salary
Tier 1: San Francisco, New York City	$155,000 – $235,000
Tier 2: Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, San Diego, Chicago	$140,000 – $210,000
Tier 3: Austin, Dallas, Portland, Denver, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Sacramento	$130,000 – $200,000
Tier 4: Minneapolis, Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City	$125,000 – $190,000
Tier 5: Madison, Birmingham, San Antonio, Spokane, Toronto	$115,000 – $175,000

Important: Actual compensation may differ depending on the applicant’s experience, skills, and geographical location.

Employee Benefits

Eligible permanent, full-time employees at Roo enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive compensation and professional growth opportunities.
• Financial support for home office equipment and workspace setup.
• Continuing education and professional development allowances.
• Monthly wellness stipends.
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage, including a fully employer-paid base medical plan with optional premium upgrades.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Unlimited paid time off.
• Paid maternity, paternity, and reproductive healthcare leave.
• Birthday and employment anniversary gifts.
• Opportunities for domestic travel and regional team-building activities.
• A supportive, innovative, and collaborative work environment.

Company Culture and Core Values

Roo promotes a workplace culture built around innovation, teamwork, accountability, and meaningful results.

The company’s core values include:

• Act With Urgency: Take initiative and respond quickly to important challenges.
• Deliver Measurable Results: Focus on work that creates meaningful and measurable impact.
• Seek Understanding: Ask questions, explore different perspectives, and make informed decisions.
• Solve Customer Problems: Prioritize solutions that address genuine customer needs.
• Enjoy the Journey: Encourage teamwork, positivity, and an engaging work environment.

Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, embrace innovation, and participate in transforming the veterinary healthcare industry.

Work Arrangement

Roo operates as a remote-first company, allowing employees to work remotely while remaining connected through digital collaboration tools.

However, employees based in San Francisco will follow a hybrid work schedule.

Occasional travel to San Francisco may also be necessary for team meetings, company events, and important collaborative sessions.

Recruitment Security Notice

Roo has identified fraudulent recruitment activities involving individuals impersonating company representatives and conducting fake interviews through text messages.

Applicants should be aware that:

Official Roo recruitment emails are sent exclusively from addresses ending in @roo.vet.

Any recruitment communication originating from @lifeatroo.com is fraudulent and should not be trusted.

Candidates are encouraged to verify recruitment communications before sharing personal information.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Roo is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive workplace.

Employment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The company welcomes applicants from different professional backgrounds and encourages qualified candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit their applications through Roo’s official recruitment channels.

Candidates are encouraged to prepare an updated resume and a professional design portfolio demonstrating their product design expertise, leadership experience, design systems knowledge, and successful project outcomes.

Take the next step in your design leadership career and join Roo in building innovative technology that supports veterinary professionals and improves animal healthcare.