Associate Director of Design Research

Become a part of our caring community and help us put health first

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 check your spam or junk folders often to ensure communication isn’t missed) inviting you to participate in a HireVue interview. In this interview, you will listen to a set of interview questions over your phone or text and you will provide recorded responses to each question. You should anticipate this interview to take about 15 to 30 minutes. Your recorded interview will be reviewed and you will subsequently be informed if you will be moving forward to next round of interviews.

Alert : Humana values personal identity protection. Please be aware that applicants selected for leader review may be asked to provide their social security number, if it is not already on file. When required, an email will be sent from Humana@myworkday.com with instructions on how to add the information into your official application on Humana’s secure website.

Work‑At‑Home Requirements

At minimum, a download speed of 25 mbps and an upload speed of 10 mbps is recommended; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested Satellite, cellular and microwave connection can be used only if approved by leadership Associates who live and work from Home in the state of California, Illinois, Montana, or South Dakota will be provided a bi‑weekly payment for their internet expense. Humana will provide Home or Hybrid Home / Office associates with telephone equipment appropriate to meet the business requirements for their position / job. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information

Any Humana associate who speaks with a member in a language other than English must take a language proficiency assessment, provided by an outside vendor, to ensure competency. Applicants will be required to take the Interagency Language Rating (ILR) test as provided by the Federal Government.

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.

$150,000 - $206,300 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.

Application Deadline : 11-09-2025

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.

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.

Humana complies with all applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. We also provide free language interpreter services. See our

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