Design Research Director

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 The Director of Design Research provides leadership on research strategy and execution throughout the product development lifecycle to uncover proprietary insights that enhance the consumer experience across a Consumer Digital portfolio. This role partners with leaders across Business Strategy, Product Design, Content Design, Product Management, Analytics, and Engineering to develop exceptional, differentiated user-centered experiences for Medicare consumers that drive business impact. Leading a team of researchers, this role builds the practice, advocates for research and design excellence, and demonstrates the value of design and research across the enterprise.

The Director of Design Research stewards a practice of design research quality, rigor, and excellence that delivers key business outcomes through a digital product portfolio. They cultivate and mentor teams, establish and maintain efficient research practices, and influence strategy and design decisions at all levels. Daily responsibilities include intaking and prioritizing research requests across a portfolio, scoping and creating research strategy, conducting primary and secondary research, delivering actionable insights, and managing others to do the same. They apply a variety of research methods for contextual (e.g. trend scanning, market analysis), generative (e.g., user interviews, mental models), and evaluative research (e.g., moderated & unmoderated concept testing) to inform product strategy and design decisions. They follow solutions beyond delivery to assess the customer experience through VOC and analytics tools, supporting ongoing improvement and evolution of the customer's relationship with Humana and our digital offerings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy & Planning—Set the vision, strategy, and overall learning agenda for design research contributions in a Consumer Digital portfolio for the coming 12 months; roadmap, plan, and deliver research contributions on 3-month cycle
• Research & Design Excellence—Drive rigorous human-centered practices across the portfolio, championing shared knowledge and immersion, expert application of methods and best practices, and efficient execution of high-quality research from problem definition through solution delivery
• Actionable Insights—Lead research team members and our collaborative partners to gather and act on insights on consumer experience needs, pain points, usability and accessibility patterns. Translate insights into prioritized opportunities, design decisions, and business outcomes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration—Partner with Business Strategy, Marketing, Product Design, Content Design, Product Management, Analytics, and Engineering leaders to ensure design research contributions in the portfolio align with organizational priorities, enterprise requirements, and end user needs
• Practice Leadership—Manage, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team, providing strategic direction, capability enablement, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals
• Business Influence—Advocate for evidence-based decision-making, using research to guide business strategies, product decisions and experience improvements. Ensure research capabilities and deliverables are valued at all levels and across functions.

Use your skills to make an impact
 

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience leading design research contributions in the context of innovation, human-centered design, and/or digital product with 5+ years managing design research team members
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, coaching and management skills
• Demonstrated advanced education or expertise in design research tradecraft: BS, MS, or PhD in a research-related discipline (e.g., Design Strategy, Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Human Factors, Psychology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science)
• Research practice leadership and research program impact demonstrated through a portfolio of work
• Understanding and experience with a variety of UX and design research methodologies
• Experience with design thinking and agile product development environments

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

The compensation range below reflects a good faith estimate of starting base pay for full time (40 hours per week) employment at the time of posting. The pay range may be higher or lower based on geographic location and individual pay will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.

 

$168,000 - $231,000 per year

 

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opportunity is based upon company and/or individual performance.

Description of Benefits

Humana, Inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) offers competitive benefits that support whole-person well-being. Associate benefits are designed to encourage personal wellness and smart healthcare decisions for you and your family while also knowing your life extends outside of work. Among our benefits, Humana provides medical, dental and vision benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan, time off (including paid time off, company and personal holidays, volunteer time off, paid parental and caregiver leave), short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and many other opportunities.

About us
 Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to putting health first – for our teammates, our customers and our company. Through our Humana insurance services and CenterWell healthcare services, we make it easier for the millions of people we serve to achieve their best health – delivering the care and service they need, when they need it. These efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, Medicaid, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Humana not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. It is also the policy of Humana to take affirmative action, in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and VEVRAA, to employ and to advance in employment individuals with disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.