Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
This Sr. Director, UX/CX Design role is critical to advancing enterprise simplification and delivering a unified design approach across service tool rationalization within the Optum Enterprise Digital Product Office. As the design lead for Service Transformation, you will define and drive a single experience vision across service workflows, reducing complexity, improving consistency, and elevating user experience at scale.
You will lead a large portfolio and team, guiding design strategy from vision through execution. This role requires solid leadership to navigate ambiguity, influence cross-functional stakeholders, and ensure alignment. Bringing deep subject matter expertise in enterprise transformation, design-led innovation, and contact center user experience, you will simplify complex service ecosystems and deliver measurable impact across both employee and customer experiences.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead and oversee a complex portfolio of work aligned to Service Transformation and enterprise experience strategy
- Define and drive a unified experience vision across call center journeys
- Advance service tool rationalization efforts by simplifying workflows, reuse and cohesive, scalable design solutions
- Translate product and enterprise strategies into clear design vision, frameworks, and actionable plans
- Guide teams in turning complex, abstract problems into simple, elegant designs across desktop, chat and conversational experiences
- Drive cross-functional decision-making, influencing senior stakeholders across product, engineering, operations, and business teams
- Establish and communicate design strategy, priorities, and progress across a broad portfolio
- Ensure designs meet usability, accessibility (A11y), legal, and technical feasibility standards
- Foster a culture of design excellence, innovation, and continuous learning across teams
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, creating an inclusive and collaborative environment
You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience with service operations and enterprise workflow transformation
- Experience owning outcomes across large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives
- Experience managing large teams and portfolios, including developing leaders and driving performance
- Deep understanding of user-centered design principles, accessibility, and best practices
- Expertise in UX disciplines, including items like service design, interaction design, research, and prototyping
- Proven expertise designing for high-volume, high-complexity service environments where efficiency, accuracy, and usability are critical
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional decision-making in a highly matrixed environment
- Solid proven executive presence with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels
- Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into scalable design solutions and measurable impact
- Proven solid systems thinking and ability to simplify complex workflows and experiences
- Proven ability to manage ambiguity and drive clarity in fast-changing, high-impact environments
- Proven solid communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate vision, decisions, and trade-offs
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in contact center transformation
- Experience driving design maturity and thought leadership across an organization
- Experience working with or leveraging AI as a supporting tool within product and design workflows
- Understanding of data-informed design and performance measurement
- Familiarity with healthcare, regulated environments, or large-scale service ecosystems
- Proven ability to create frameworks, toolkits, and repeatable ways of working at scale
- Passion for advancing health equity and inclusive design practices
*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $159,300 to $273,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.
Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers copay and HSA medical options with dental, vision, company‑paid life and disability, and free or low‑cost virtual visits. Feedback suggests the offering is comprehensive and competitive on paper.
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Parental & Family Support — Time off and family supports include PTO, eight paid holidays plus a floating day, six weeks paid parental leave, up to two weeks paid caregiver leave, Bright Horizons back‑up care, and adoption assistance up to $10,000. Feedback suggests these resources are meaningful for caregivers and family needs.
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Retirement Support — Savings programs include a 401(k) with employer match (after one year, vesting after two) and a 10%‑discount Employee Stock Purchase Plan. These programs bolster long‑term financial security when combined with other savings resources.
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What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.