Design Director+26% typical comp change · ~4.0y typical
86% of observed moves out of Design Lead go here (380 careers)
leadership branchconfidence moderate380 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Observed career paths · design
Where does a Design Lead go next?
5 observed directions, from real career histories. Percentages are the share of people who made each move; the count is how many careers each number rests on. This is the generic map. No aspiration, no filler.
Management path
Group Product Manager+8% typical comp change · ~4.2y typical
14% of observed moves out of Design Lead go here (60 careers)
leadership branchconfidence low60 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Director of Product+32% typical comp change · ~7.5y typical
reachable via Group Product Manager. 11% joint share of observed careers
leadership branchconfidence low60 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there
Higher-growth opportunity
VP of Design+64% typical comp change · ~8.5y typical
reachable via Design Director. 86% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence moderate150 careersno observed onward moves above the evidence floor
VP of Product+43% typical comp change · ~8.3y typical
reachable via Group Product Manager. 3% joint share of observed careers
executive stepconfidence low60 careers100% of observed exits move upward from there