Associate Director, User Experience

AbbVie • Mettawa, IL

107d

About The Position

The Associate Director, UX/UI Design leads and evolves the user experience and user interface design practice within AbbVie's internal advertising agency. This role is responsible for fostering a creative, user-centric, and design-thinking culture that delivers innovative and effective digital solutions across stakeholder groups. The Associate Director will collaborate with agency leadership, capability leads, and cross-functional teams to translate strategic business goals into impactful user experiences, ensuring all digital deliverables exceed expectations and align with regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive UX/UI experience in web, mobile, or software environments, with at least 5 years in a leadership or people management role; agency and healthcare experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success building, leading, and mentoring diverse UX teams in matrixed organizations.
• Deep knowledge of user-centered design process, with proven experience in research, prototyping, and creative direction.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with strong storytelling and executive presentation abilities.
• Expert in leading research and design tools (e.g., UserZoom, UserTesting.com, Optimal Workshop, Figma, Sketch, Adobe CC, InVision).
• Experience establishing and overseeing a design system; deep knowledge of healthcare regulatory (MLR) requirements.
• Portfolio demonstrating measurable user and business impact through design.
• Strong business acumen and visible leadership in creative execution.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the UX/UI design vision and hands-on design practice for the agency, ensuring high-quality and innovative digital solutions.
• Build and evolve UX and design best practices tailored for agency and healthcare environments, leveraging user-centered and design thinking methodologies.
• Oversee and champion the design system to drive design quality, consistency, and efficiency across all projects and brands.
• Direct and participate in creative strategy sessions, major business partner meetings, and agency capabilities presentations.
• Collaborate with account, strategy, and creative leads to ensure digital deliverables align with business objectives and exceed expectations.
• Review, critique, and provide guidance on research, wireframes, prototypes, and final designs to guarantee exceptional outcomes.
• Contribute to hands-on work as needed, including presentation development and strategic storytelling for senior stakeholders.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the UX/UI team, including people leaders and cross-functional practitioners in research and design.
• Assign resources, oversee project pipelines, and optimize workflows to ensure timely, efficient project delivery.
• Provide feedback, performance management, and professional development for team members.
• Facilitate trust and candid development conversations among managers and team members.
• Promote a culture of curiosity, collaboration, transparency, and continuous learning within the agency and broader AbbVie.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with agency leadership, business partners, and stakeholders; represent UX/UI in executive forums.
• Foster innovation by combining strategic vision, business insight, and persuasive communication.
• Act as a role model of AbbVie's values, promoting an inclusive, supportive culture and upholding high standards of creative and operational excellence.

Benefits

• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick)
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• 401(k) to eligible employees
• Short-term incentive programs
• Long-term incentive programs

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree