Director, UX Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, UX Design

Company: Verily

Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full time

Category: UX Design / Product Design Leadership

Date Posted: 2026-07-20

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic vision and user experience (UX) design for Verily's core health data platforms, ensuring intuitive and cohesive experiences for developers, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

• Drive the product roadmap and quarterly resource planning by influencing design initiatives and meeting creative and technical requirements for complex enterprise and B2B software.

• Manage and mentor a team of UX designers, fostering a user-focused culture grounded in empathy, humility, and Product Excellence principles.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product management, data science, and clinical teams to translate intricate technical requirements into polished, user-friendly interfaces.

• Champion the adoption and scaling of design systems and best practices to guarantee consistency, accessibility, and broad applicability across all platform products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under UX Design / Product Design Leadership due to the title and primary responsibilities focusing on strategic design direction, team management, and platform-level UX ownership within a technology company. The emphasis on "data platforms," "AI-enabled solutions," and "precision health" points towards a specialized area within UX, requiring a deep understanding of complex technical domains and user needs in the healthcare technology sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute the overarching UX strategy for Verily's health data platforms, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and championing user-centric design principles.

• Guide team efforts in product roadmap development, influencing strategic priorities and resource allocation for design initiatives.

• Foster a high-performing design team environment by providing mentorship, guidance, and establishing a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• Translate complex technical concepts and data-driven requirements from engineering, product management, and data science into clear, actionable design specifications and user flows.

• Advocate for and implement robust design systems and style guides to ensure brand consistency, accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG), and scalability across the platform.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are inferred from the "Responsibilities" section of the original description, expanded with operations-relevant keywords and context. The emphasis on "platform products," "scalable design," and "cross-functional collaboration" aligns with typical leadership roles in product development operations or GTM operations where efficiency, consistency, and strategic execution are paramount.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in UX design, with a significant focus on complex enterprise, B2B, or platform software products. A minimum of 5 years in a management or leadership role overseeing design teams is required.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to develop and execute UX strategy for complex software products.

• Extensive experience in user-centered design methodologies, from research and ideation to prototyping and final implementation.

• Demonstrated success in leading and managing UX design teams, fostering talent, and driving team performance.

• Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end product development lifecycle experience, including the launch of scalable platform or enterprise products.

• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineering, product management, data science, and clinical stakeholders.

• Proficiency in design systems, including their creation, maintenance, and scaling. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Enterprise products, Healthcare, Medical services, or data-intensive technical platforms.

• Deep understanding of AI, machine learning concepts, and their application in user interfaces.

• Expertise in data visualization principles and best practices for presenting complex data.

• Systems thinking capabilities with the ability to articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences.

• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and drive strategic direction in fast-paced environments.

• Familiarity with accessibility standards and best practices (e.g., WCAG).

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills are extracted directly from the "Qualifications" section. The "Minimum Qualifications" are framed as required, and "Preferred Qualifications" are listed as preferred. The "equivalent practical experience" clause for education is noted, and the "10+ years" and "5+ years" for management are explicitly stated to define the experience level.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear process for user research, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design, supported by case studies.

• Showcase experience in developing and implementing scalable platform or enterprise products, highlighting the impact of design decisions.

• Include examples of how you have translated complex technical requirements and data into user-friendly interfaces.

• Evidence of leading design initiatives, managing design processes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve product goals. Process Documentation:

• Outline your approach to establishing and evolving design systems for consistency and scalability.

• Detail your methodologies for user research, usability testing, and incorporating feedback into the design process.

• Describe how you manage the product development lifecycle from a design perspective, including roadmap contribution and resource planning.

• Provide examples of how you've fostered a user-focused culture and managed design teams effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is inferred based on the explicit requirement for a portfolio and the nature of a Director-level UX role in a technology company. The emphasis is on demonstrating process, strategy, and impact, which are critical for operations professionals evaluating candidates. The inclusion of "scalable platform products" and "cross-functional collaboration" directly addresses key operational aspects of design execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD $207,500 - $233,500 per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus: Performance-based bonus structure.

• Equity: Stock options or grants.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Includes health, dental, vision insurance, and potentially other wellness programs.

• Paid Time Off: Standard vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and skill enhancement.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is directly provided in the job description. Benefits are listed as "bonus + equity + benefits," which have been expanded into common components of such packages in the tech industry. "Working Hours" are inferred to be standard full-time hours (40) with the understanding that a hybrid role may offer some flexibility. The base salary range provided is specific to Canada, as indicated by "CAD" and the location "Waterloo, Ontario, Canada."

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Technology / Data Platforms / AI. Verily operates at the intersection of technology, data science, and healthcare, focusing on AI-enabled precision health solutions. This industry context implies a focus on innovation, rigorous data analysis, and a strong ethical framework given the sensitive nature of health data.

Company Size: Large enterprise (as part of Alphabet/Google, though Verily operates with significant autonomy). This suggests structured processes, potential for cross-functional collaboration across a vast organization, and access to substantial resources.

Founded: Verily was founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. This history indicates a company built on innovation and backed by a major tech entity, likely fostering a culture of cutting-edge research and development.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team is likely embedded within product development groups, working closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science.

• As Director, you would lead this team, reporting to a higher-level Product or Engineering executive, and collaborating with other Directors and VPs across the organization.

• Cross-functional collaboration is paramount, requiring strong partnerships with clinical teams, researchers, and potentially external healthcare providers or partners. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central to Verily's mission, so UX strategy will rely heavily on user research, analytics, and A/B testing.

• Emphasis on Product Excellence principles suggests a structured approach to product development, focusing on quality, performance, and user satisfaction.

• A user-centric approach is explicitly stated, meaning the design process will prioritize understanding and meeting the needs of developers, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

Company Website: https://www.verily.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is derived from the provided description and general knowledge of Verily as a subsidiary of Alphabet. The industry, size, and founding history all contribute to understanding the operational environment and culture relevant to a leadership role. The "Methodology" section infers how UX design will operate within Verily's broader data-centric and user-focused framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director, UX Design. This is a senior leadership position responsible for strategic direction, team management, and the overall user experience of critical data platforms. It requires a blend of deep design expertise, strategic thinking, and people management skills.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a VP of Product, VP of Engineering, or a similar senior executive. You will manage a team of UX designers and collaborate closely with peers in Product Management, Engineering, Data Science, and Clinical Affairs.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the adoption and effectiveness of Verily's health data platforms. By ensuring intuitive and user-centric design, you enable researchers and healthcare professionals to leverage AI-enabled precision health solutions, accelerating research and improving patient care. This strategic impact is crucial for the company's mission and commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a VP of Design or Head of Product role, overseeing broader product portfolios or multiple design disciplines.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future of Verily's platform strategy and contribute to key business decisions through design leadership.

• Specialization Development: Deepen expertise in UX for healthcare, AI/ML platforms, or enterprise data solutions, becoming a recognized thought leader in these specialized areas.

• Mentorship: Develop and mentor emerging design talent, fostering the next generation of UX leaders within Verily and the broader industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis leverages the job title and responsibilities to define the career level and growth potential. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how UX design leadership contributes to broader operational and business objectives. Growth opportunities are framed in terms of increased responsibility, strategic influence, and specialized development, common in leadership roles within tech organizations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This indicates a mix of in-office and remote work, promoting collaboration while offering flexibility.

Office Location(s): Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. This specific location suggests a presence in a vibrant tech hub known for innovation and talent. The office environment is likely modern and designed to support collaborative work.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The Waterloo office will likely feature open workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas designed to encourage interaction and idea-sharing among design, engineering, and product teams.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to state-of-the-art design software, collaboration platforms, and potentially advanced hardware for prototyping and user testing.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with your design team, product managers, engineers, and other key stakeholders, facilitating agile development and rapid iteration.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with a hybrid arrangement, allowing for flexibility in balancing in-office and remote workdays. This structure supports focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Work Environment" is described based on the "Hybrid" remote status and the specific location in Waterloo, Canada. Inferences are made about the physical office space and how it supports collaboration and the use of technology, which are crucial operational aspects for a design leadership role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion about your experience, leadership style, strategic vision, and management philosophy.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, walking through 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your UX strategy, process, and impact on platform or enterprise products. Be prepared to discuss challenges, trade-offs, and outcomes.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Engineering, Product Management, and Data Science to assess collaboration skills and technical understanding.

• Design Team Interaction: Potentially meet with some of the UX designers you would manage to gauge team dynamics and leadership approach.

• Final Round: May involve a presentation to senior leadership or a strategic discussion on how you would approach the challenges of the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 impactful case studies that best represent your experience in complex enterprise/platform design, strategic leadership, and team management.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes (quantify impact where possible). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how you influenced the product roadmap, aligned design with business objectives, and championed user-centricity.

• Demonstrate Process: Show, don't just tell, your design process. Include sketches, wireframes, prototypes, user research findings, and design system elements.

• Address AI/Data Context: If possible, include examples related to data-intensive platforms, AI/ML interfaces, or healthcare technology to align with Verily's focus.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your leadership style, conflict resolution, how you handle ambiguity, and your approach to scaling design systems.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic UX Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario or case study where you might need to outline a UX strategy for a new platform feature or address a complex user problem within Verily's domain.

• Leadership/Management Scenario: Expect questions about how you would motivate your team, resolve design disagreements, or onboard new designers.

• Presentation Skills: Practice delivering concise, compelling presentations that clearly articulate your thought process and the value of your design contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is a standard model for senior design leadership roles in tech companies, tailored with specific considerations for a UX Director position focused on platforms and data. The portfolio review emphasizes showcasing strategic thinking, process, and measurable impact, which are critical for evaluating operations-oriented candidates.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Design Software: Figma (highly probable, industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, Axure RP, or Figma's native prototyping capabilities.

• User Research & Testing Platforms: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, or internal tools.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for understanding user behavior on web-based platforms).

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Pendo (for in-depth user behavior analysis within the platform).

• Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker (for creating dashboards and communicating insights to stakeholders).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a UX tool, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding B2B customer journeys and user segmentation.

• Design System Management: Tools or frameworks for managing design system components and documentation (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section outlines common tools and technologies used in UX design leadership roles, particularly within enterprise and platform development. The inclusion of "data visualization tools" and "product analytics" reflects the data-intensive nature of Verily's work and the need for designers to leverage data in their decision-making. Familiarity with collaboration and project management tools is essential for operational efficiency.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user (developers, researchers, healthcare professionals) in all design decisions.

• Empathy & Humility: Fostering an environment where team members approach challenges with understanding, respect, and a willingness to learn from others.

• Product Excellence: Striving for high-quality, well-crafted, and effective solutions that meet both user needs and business objectives.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Utilizing data and research to inform design strategies and drive innovation in precision health solutions.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Encouraging open communication, diverse perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving across teams.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless integration with Product Management, Engineering, and Data Science to ensure cohesive product development.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing agile methodologies with frequent feedback loops and iterative design improvements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting a culture where best practices, learnings, and design insights are shared openly among team members and across departments.

• Constructive Feedback: Encouraging a safe environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from Verily's stated principles ("humanity, empathy, and humility," "Product Excellence principles") and the nature of a UX leadership role in a tech/healthcare company. These elements are crucial for understanding how the operations of the design team function and interact within the larger organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Health Data: Navigating the intricate landscape of health data, regulations (e.g., HIPAA), and diverse user needs in the healthcare domain.

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Ensuring user-centricity while working within the technical limitations and complexities of AI/ML platforms and enterprise systems.

• Scaling Design Systems: Maintaining and evolving a comprehensive design system to support a growing platform and diverse product offerings efficiently.

• Driving Adoption of UX Best Practices: Championing user experience principles across different departments and ensuring buy-in from various stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Healthcare UX: Gain specialized knowledge in designing for clinical workflows, patient data management, and AI-driven health insights.

• Advanced AI/ML Design: Develop expertise in designing intuitive interfaces for complex AI and machine learning applications.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal or external training focused on strategic leadership, team building, and executive communication.

• Industry Conferences & Research: Opportunities to attend relevant UX, healthcare technology, and AI conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the industry (healthcare tech, data platforms) and the role's focus (complex enterprise/platform design). Growth opportunities are framed around deepening specialized knowledge and leadership skills, which are standard for senior roles aiming for continued career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and evolve the UX strategy for Verily's core health data platform over the next 1-3 years, considering our mission in precision health?" (Focus on strategic vision, long-term planning, and alignment with company goals).

• "Describe a time you had to balance competing priorities from Product Management, Engineering, and clinical stakeholders. How did you navigate this and arrive at a design solution?" (Assesses collaboration, negotiation, and decision-making skills).

• "How do you approach translating complex technical concepts, such as AI/ML models or intricate data structures, into intuitive and accessible user experiences?" (Tests ability to simplify complexity and design for specialized users). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on what you know about Verily and the healthcare tech industry, what do you see as the biggest UX challenges and opportunities for our platform?" (Demonstrates research and understanding of the business context).

• "How would you foster a user-centric design culture within a team that includes engineers and data scientists who may not have a traditional design background?" (Focuses on leadership, advocacy, and influence).

• "How do you measure the success and impact of your UX design work, particularly for platform products?" (Evaluates ability to link design to business outcomes and operational efficiency). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Case Study Selection: Choose 2-3 projects that showcase your strategic thinking, leadership in complex enterprise/platform design, and ability to manage a design process from inception to launch. Prioritize projects with measurable outcomes.

• Narrative Structure: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem/opportunity, your specific role and responsibilities, the design process (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), key decisions and trade-offs, collaborative efforts, the final solution, and the impact/results (quantify if possible).

• Focus on Process & Strategy: Don't just show polished UI. Explain why certain design decisions were made, how they align with user needs and business goals, and how you managed the process.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Highlight instances where you led a team, influenced product direction, or championed design best practices.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about any aspect of your presented work, including challenges, alternative solutions, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are crafted to probe into strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, problem-solving skills, and domain understanding relevant to a Director of UX Design role in a specialized tech company like Verily. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes showcasing strategic impact and operational execution, crucial for operations-minded hiring managers.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Verily's careers portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in enterprise/platform UX design, team leadership, strategic vision, and cross-functional collaboration, using keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 impactful case studies that demonstrate your UX strategy, process, and leadership in complex product environments. Ensure it's easily accessible (PDF or password-protected website) and clearly communicates your contributions and outcomes.

• Research Verily: Understand Verily's mission, its position in the healthcare tech industry, and its focus on AI-enabled precision health. Be prepared to discuss how your UX leadership can contribute to these goals.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clear storytelling, strategic insights, and articulating the impact of your design work. Practice answering potential interview questions related to leadership, strategy, and problem-solving.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.