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The Associate Director of Design Research provides leadership on research strategy and execution, uncovering proprietary insights to enhance the consumer experience of shopping for health insurance online. This role collaborates with leaders across design, product, and analytics, and leads a team of researchers to develop differentiating user-centered solutions in the Plan Shopping experience.

Who We Are

With relentless consumer-centricity, Humana’s Experience Design team within the Enterprise Growth organization strives to eliminate friction in today’s healthcare ecosystem so consumers feel confident, respected, and heard in the decisions affecting their health.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Design Research is responsible for intaking and prioritizing research requests across a portfolio, scoping and crafting 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.

This is a remote role reporting to the Director of Design Research.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy & Planning—Set the vision, strategy, and overall learning agenda for design research contributions to the Plan Shopping portfolio for the coming 6-12 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 design, product, marketing, and strategy 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
 

Experience + Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience leading design research contributions in the context of innovation, human-centered design, and/or digital product
• With 3+ 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)
• Understanding and experience with a variety of UX and design research methodologies
• Must be passionate about contributing to an organization focused on continuously improving consumer experiences in healthcare
• Experience with design thinking and agile product development environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Designing for senior adults or healthcare audiences
• E-commerce experience  
• Familiarity with tools like Usertesting, Qualtrics, and Dscout

Additional Information

Virtual Pre-Screen

As part of our hiring process for this opportunity, we will be using an exciting interviewing technology called HireVue to enhance our hiring and decision-making ability. HireVue allows us to quickly connect and gain valuable information from you pertaining to your relevant skills and experience at a time that is best for your schedule.

If you are selected for a first round interview, you will receive an email correspondence (please be sure to c