Lead Product Designer

Humana
Full_time$104k-143k/year (USD)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer Company: Humana Location: Remote (United States) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Design / User Experience (UX) Operations Date Posted: September 16, 2025 Experience Level: 8+ Years (Senior/Lead) Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the strategic vision and execution of user experience (UX) and product design for Humana's digital platforms, focusing on creating intuitive and high-impact experiences for members.
  • Translate complex consumer insights and business objectives into actionable design strategies, user journeys, and compelling prototypes that advocate for user needs.
  • Foster a collaborative environment by partnering closely with Product Management, Engineering, and other Design stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities and seamless delivery of differentiated digital solutions.
  • Champion a startup mindset and agile methodologies, contributing to the evolution of design systems and ensuring adherence to digital design standards, accessibility guidelines, and best practices for pixel-perfect execution.
  • Design for advanced capabilities, including AI-powered interfaces and personalization engines, to deliver intelligent and data-driven user experiences that enhance member engagement and well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead," indicating significant responsibility in guiding design strategy, mentoring junior designers, and influencing product direction. The emphasis on "AI and data-driven technologies" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design within the healthcare sector, requiring a candidate adept at leveraging technology to personalize user journeys.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead UX research and design initiatives to develop user-centered digital experiences that address the unique needs of Humana's member base.
  • Synthesize user research findings, market analysis, and business requirements into clear design strategies and innovative solutions.
  • Utilize a range of design artifacts, including user journeys, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and vision decks, to effectively communicate design rationale and future-state experiences to stakeholders.
  • Facilitate collaborative design thinking workshops, brainstorming sessions, and ideation exercises to uncover user needs, explore potential solutions, and build consensus among cross-functional teams.
  • Ensure the consistent application of established digital design standards, accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG), and usability best practices across all digital touchpoints.
  • Oversee the visual and interaction design execution, maintaining a high standard of quality, detail, and aesthetic appeal in all user interfaces.
  • Contribute to the maintenance and advancement of Humana's design system, ensuring consistency in patterns, components, and brand expression.
  • Design and iterate on personalized experiences powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to enhance member engagement and health outcomes.
  • Conduct and leverage user research and usability testing to validate design decisions and identify areas for iterative improvement.
  • Collaborate with Product Managers and Engineers to define product roadmaps, prioritize features, and ensure designs are feasible and effectively implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design leadership and hands-on execution. The emphasis on "vision decks," "future-state experience maps," and "interaction models" points to a need for a designer who can think holistically and map out long-term digital product evolution. Facilitating workshops and using "storytelling" are key for influencing stakeholders and driving adoption of design solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a related field.
  • Equivalent practical experience in a UX/Product Design role will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.

Experience:

  • A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in UX Design, Product Design, or Interaction Design, with a proven track record of delivering impactful digital experiences.
  • Demonstrated experience working within agile development environments and collaborating with cross-functional teams (Product Management, Engineering, Marketing).
  • Experience designing for complex digital platforms, preferably within the healthcare, insurance, or a related regulated industry.
  • Proven ability to translate user insights and business requirements into effective design solutions.

Required Skills:

  • Visual & Interaction Design Excellence: Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual hierarchy, typography, layout, color theory, and interaction design principles. Ability to craft elegant, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces.
  • Prototyping & UX Tools: Expertise in Figma for design and interactive prototyping; proficiency with other relevant UX/UI design and collaboration tools.
  • User Research & Analysis: Skilled in conducting user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys) and usability testing, and adept at translating findings into actionable design improvements.
  • Storytelling & Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale, complex concepts, and user needs effectively to diverse audiences.
  • Agile Development: Experience designing within agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) and adapting to iterative development cycles.
  • Accessibility Standards: Familiarity with and commitment to designing inclusive and accessible interfaces, adhering to guidelines such as WCAG.

Preferred Skills:

  • AI/Personalization Design: Experience designing for AI-powered interfaces, machine learning-driven personalization engines, or data-driven user experiences.
  • Healthcare/Insurance Domain: Knowledge or experience within the healthcare or insurance industry, understanding its specific user needs and regulatory landscape.
  • Senior Adult Design: Experience designing for senior adults, with an understanding of their unique needs, preferences, and potential accessibility considerations.
  • Performance Metrics: Familiarity with performance metrics, analytics tools (e.g., UserTesting, Google Analytics), and design constraints that impact user engagement and business outcomes.
  • Design Systems: Experience contributing to or managing design systems, ensuring consistency and scalability across products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "8+ years of experience" combined with "Lead" in the title strongly suggests a senior-level individual contributor or potential team lead role. Proficiency in Figma is explicitly mentioned, making it a critical skill. The preference for healthcare experience and designing for senior adults indicates a need for empathy and domain-specific understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive digital portfolio that showcases a range of high-quality visual and interaction design work across complex digital experiences.
  • Case studies demonstrating a clear design process, from problem definition and user research through to final solution and impact.
  • Examples that highlight expertise in translating consumer insights into actionable design strategies and solutions.
  • Prototypes that effectively communicate complex concepts and advocate for user needs, showcasing interaction design skills.
  • Artifacts demonstrating the ability to design for AI-powered interfaces and personalized experiences.

Process Documentation:

  • The portfolio should clearly illustrate your approach to user-centered design, including:
    • User research methodologies employed and how insights were integrated into design decisions.
    • Workflow design and optimization processes, detailing how user journeys were mapped and refined.
    • Implementation strategies for design patterns and adherence to design systems.
    • Methods for measuring and analyzing design performance and user satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool for design skills and process. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design thinking, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of their work, particularly how they've leveraged user insights and technology to drive better experiences.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $104,000 - $143,000 per year Bonus Potential: Eligible for a bonus incentive plan based on company and/or individual performance.

Benefits: Humana offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support whole-person well-being:

  • Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
  • Retirement Savings: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions.
  • Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Company Holidays, Personal Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off.
  • Family Support: Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave.
  • Income Protection: Short-term and Long-term Disability coverage.
  • Life Insurance: Company-provided Life Insurance.
  • Other Opportunities: Access to various other benefits and programs to support personal wellness and development.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. Work Arrangement: Primarily remote, with occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings as required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Lead Product Designer role in the US, especially for a fully remote position. The comprehensive benefits package emphasizes Humana's commitment to employee well-being, which is a strong selling point for candidates. The mention of occasional travel, while the role is remote, is important for candidates to be aware of.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Healthcare Services / Health Insurance Company Size: Large Enterprise (Humana is a Fortune 500 company with tens of thousands of employees globally). Founded: 1961. Humana has a long history in the healthcare industry, evolving to meet the changing needs of its members through innovative services and digital transformation.

Team Structure:

  • Product Design Team: Likely part of a larger Digital or Product organization, working alongside Product Managers, UX Researchers, Content Designers, and other specialized design roles.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect close collaboration with Product Management for strategy and roadmapping, Engineering for implementation, and potentially Marketing for brand alignment.
  • Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer may report to a Director or VP of Product Design or Digital Experience, with potential for informal mentorship of junior designers.

Methodology:

  • Agile & Lean Principles: Humana emphasizes agile ways of working, suggesting a process that involves iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and cross-functional team sprints.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: The focus on AI and data-driven experiences implies a strong reliance on analytics and user data to inform design choices and measure success.
  • User-Centricity: A core tenet of the role is championing user needs and translating insights into actionable design strategies, indicating a commitment to user-centered design principles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Humana's significant size and established presence in the healthcare sector mean that the operations and processes are likely well-defined but also undergoing transformation, especially in digital areas. This offers opportunities for impact within a large organization while navigating established structures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Lead Product Designer. This signifies a senior individual contributor role with a strong emphasis on leadership in design strategy, execution, and potentially mentoring. It's a critical role in shaping the user experience of key digital products.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Director or VP of Design or Digital Experience. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, forming a core product team.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on Humana's ability to deliver accessible, user-friendly digital health services. By improving member experience through design, the role contributes to increased member satisfaction, engagement, retention, and potentially better health outcomes, all of which are critical to Humana's mission and business success.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Design Manager or Director role, leading a team of designers.
  • Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven design, healthcare UX, or accessibility.
  • Strategic Influence: Greater involvement in product strategy, roadmap planning, and influencing the overall digital vision of Humana.
  • Mentorship: Formal or informal opportunities to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title suggests a career path that moves beyond individual contribution towards strategic leadership and management. Candidates should look for opportunities to expand their influence and potentially manage others as they progress within Humana's design organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This offers flexibility and eliminates geographical barriers, allowing candidates from across the United States to apply. Office Location(s): While remote, occasional travel for training or meetings may be required, suggesting that candidates should be open to occasional business travel within the US.

Workspace Context:

  • Digital Collaboration Tools: Expect to use a suite of digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Miro, Jira, Confluence) for communication, ideation, and project management.
  • Agile Team Integration: Work as part of a dedicated product team, fostering close, day-to-day collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers.
  • Design System Utilization: Leverage and contribute to existing design systems and component libraries to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility often inherent in remote roles, though adherence to project deadlines and team syncs is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature of the role requires strong self-discipline, proactive communication, and comfort with virtual collaboration tools. Understanding how to maintain team cohesion and drive projects forward in a distributed environment will be key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  1. Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on required qualifications and experience.
  2. Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: A hiring manager or senior designer will review the portfolio and conduct an initial interview, assessing design skills, experience, and cultural fit. Expect questions about past projects, design process, and problem-solving approaches.
  3. Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a detailed case study from their portfolio. This evaluates practical design skills, strategic thinking, and communication.
  4. Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional partners (e.g., Product Managers, Engineers) and potentially other senior designers to assess collaboration, communication, and alignment with team dynamics.
  5. Final Interview: May involve senior leadership (Director/VP level) to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your lead-level capabilities, problem-solving skills, and impact.
  • Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the decisions you made, and the measurable outcomes or impact.
  • Highlight the "Lead" Aspect: Showcase instances where you influenced strategy, mentored others, or drove design initiatives.
  • Demonstrate Process: Detail your research, ideation, iteration, and collaboration methods.
  • Showcase Figma Expertise: Ensure your prototypes are interactive and well-executed, demonstrating proficiency.
  • Focus on Impact: Quantify results whenever possible – e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced task completion time.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: If given a case study, thoroughly research Humana, its mission, and its digital presence.
  • Focus on Process: Even if the solution is hypothetical, demonstrate a robust, user-centered design process.
  • Communicate Clearly: Structure your presentation logically, articulate your rationale, and be prepared to answer questions about your decisions.
  • Consider AI/Personalization: If the challenge allows, incorporate elements of AI or personalization relevant to healthcare.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly assess both design craft and strategic thinking. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design philosophy, demonstrate leadership qualities, and effectively present their portfolio as evidence of their capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to use its advanced features for complex interfaces and interactive workflows.
  • Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, familiarity with tools like InVision, Principle, or Adobe XD for specific prototyping needs might be beneficial.
  • User Research Platforms: Experience with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, or Maze for remote usability testing and user feedback collection.
  • Collaboration & Project Management: Proficiency with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Trello for team communication and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with web analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar platforms to understand user behavior and track design impact.
  • Data Visualization: Experience with tools like Tableau or Power BI for analyzing user data and presenting insights, if applicable to design strategy.

CRM & Automation:

  • While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design impacts customer journeys within a CRM context (e.g., Salesforce, though not specified) can be advantageous.
  • Familiarity with marketing automation platforms or customer data platforms (CDPs) might be helpful for understanding data-driven personalization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the cornerstone tool for this role. Beyond design, understanding how to leverage data and analytics to inform design decisions and measure success is critical. Experience with user research platforms is also highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Putting Health First: A commitment to improving the health and well-being of members through innovative digital solutions.
  • Caring Community: Fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals feel valued and empowered.
  • Innovation & Agility: Embracing a startup mindset and agile methodologies to drive continuous improvement and adapt to evolving needs.
  • User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for user needs in all design and product decisions.
  • Data-Driven: Utilizing data and insights to inform strategies, measure impact, and drive efficient outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely and collaboratively with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
  • Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and shared problem-solving.
  • Process Improvement: A continuous drive to refine processes, share best practices, and experiment with new approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: Humana's stated values reinforce a culture that is both people-focused (caring, health) and results-oriented (innovation, data-driven). Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate how their personal values and work style align with these principles, particularly in a remote setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Navigating a Large Organization: Adapting to the processes and stakeholder dynamics within a large, established company like Humana.
  • Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively advocating for user experience while aligning with business objectives and technical constraints.
  • Designing for Complex Healthcare Needs: Understanding and designing for the diverse and often sensitive needs of healthcare consumers, including seniors.
  • Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Championing and integrating new design approaches, such as AI-powered personalization, within existing product lines.
  • Maintaining Design Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive and high-quality user experience across a wide range of digital touchpoints.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge in healthcare UX, accessibility design for seniors, and the application of AI in user experience.
  • Strategic Design Leadership: Develop skills in product strategy, roadmap influence, and leading design initiatives.
  • Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to mentor junior designers or be mentored by senior leaders within Humana's design organization.
  • Professional Development: Access to training, conferences, and internal resources to enhance design skills and stay current with industry trends.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges present opportunities for significant professional growth. Successfully navigating these will require strong communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability, skills that are highly transferable and valuable in any senior design role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe a complex digital product you led the design for. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Focus on your process, decision-making, and impact).
  • "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design process?" (Highlight your ability to find optimal solutions).
  • "How do you ensure your designs are accessible and inclusive, particularly for diverse user groups like seniors?" (Demonstrate your understanding of accessibility standards and empathy).
  • "How do you leverage user research and data to inform your design decisions?" (Provide specific examples of how insights led to design changes).
  • "Walk me through a situation where you had to influence stakeholders to adopt your design recommendations." (Focus on your communication, persuasion, and collaboration skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Humana and our mission?" (Research Humana's values and connect them to your own).
  • "How do you approach collaboration within a remote, cross-functional team?" (Emphasize proactive communication and teamwork).
  • "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and technologies, especially in areas like AI?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning).
  • "Describe your experience working with design systems." (Highlight your understanding of consistency and scalability).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure: Begin with a brief overview of your role and the project's context. Clearly articulate the problem statement and your objectives.
  • Process Focus: Detail your design process step-by-step, explaining the 'why' behind your choices. Use visuals to support your narrative.
  • Highlight Leadership: Point out instances where you took initiative, led discussions, or mentored others.
  • Quantify Impact: Share metrics that demonstrate the success of your designs. If metrics aren't available, discuss qualitative feedback or anticipated impact.
  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time and deliver a compelling, focused presentation. Be prepared for follow-up questions on any aspect of your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to not only showcase your design skills but also your ability to think strategically, lead initiatives, and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Demonstrating an understanding of Humana's mission and the healthcare industry will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on Humana's career portal.
  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights projects demonstrating your lead-level experience, strategic thinking, and proficiency in Figma. Tailor your project selection to showcase relevant skills for the healthcare industry and AI-driven design if possible.
  • Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to clearly articulate your 8+ years of experience, leadership contributions, and specific achievements using keywords from the job description (e.g., UX Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, Figma, Agile, AI-powered interfaces, user research).
  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the business/user impact of your work. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions related to collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership.
  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Humana's mission, values, digital products, and the healthcare industry landscape. Understand how your design contributions can support their "putting health first" philosophy.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have 8+ years of experience in UX/Product/Interaction Design with a strong portfolio. Expertise in Figma, user research, and designing for AI-powered interfaces is required.