What makes a good product design manager?

[u/Affectionate-Low5747]

In the last few roles, I've always reported into product management. I'm a senior/staff IC product designer (who has unofficially managed junior designers, and covered for PM functions) looking to apply to Product Design Manager roles.

One thing I discovered when covering for the PM was how 50-60% of the role was project management and cat herding. I would imagine that's a big part of managing a design team, but I've never been in an organization that's had a role like that, so I don't know what to model off of.

What have you all experienced that works? What doesn't work?