UX Designer - Contractor at Horizontal Digital

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer - Contractor

Company: Horizontal Digital

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Remote)

Job Type: Contract

Category: UX Design

Date Posted: June 9, 2025

Experience Level: Senior (5+ years)

Remote Status: Remote

🎨 Role Summary

Lead user experience design initiatives for Fortune 500 clients, focusing on intuitive and empathetic digital solutions.
Drive user-centered design principles and best practices across project teams and client engagements.
Plan and facilitate comprehensive design research activities, including user and stakeholder workshops.
Translate complex customer insights into tangible, high-quality design deliverables within specified timelines.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including strategists, UI designers, developers, and project managers.
Develop and maintain user interaction design guidelines and contribute to client design system initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role emphasizes client-facing responsibilities and leadership in UX methodology, indicating a need for strong communication and strategic thinking beyond core design execution. The "Senior" level and "Contractor" status suggest a requirement for self-direction and proven ability to deliver results independently.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Advocate for user-centered design principles and techniques throughout the organization and client interactions.
Build and maintain a high level of trust and rapport with clients through effective communication and delivery.
Identify and implement tools and processes to enhance efficiency and elevate the quality of design work.
Plan, facilitate, and conduct design research activities, including concept testing and usability testing, producing insightful reports.
Define key user interface behaviors using a variety of design artifacts like experience models, personas, storyboards, site maps, flow diagrams, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
Present design thinking and rationale clearly and persuasively to clients and internal stakeholders.
Develop and maintain user interaction design guidelines, contributing to larger UX design system initiatives for clients.
Apply appropriate UX design and evaluation processes to ensure design solutions meet defined needs and strategies efficiently.
Drive new design ideas fearlessly and find simple, powerful ways to communicate complex concepts.
Collaborate with strategists, UI designers, writers, business analysts, developers, and project managers to deliver innovative UX solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Responsibilities highlight the full spectrum of the UX design process, from research and ideation to documentation and collaboration. The emphasis on "owning" projects and leading workshops indicates a requirement for leadership and project management skills within the design context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Designer role. Equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio are highly valued.

Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience as a UX professional with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in human-centered design, information architecture, and digital interactive experience design for responsive web and mobile applications. Proven experience "owning" projects from start to finish is required.

Required Skills:

Strong understanding and application of user-centered design principles and techniques.
Expertise in information architecture, site/app mapping, and flow diagrams.
Proficiency in wireframing, mockups, and interactive prototyping.
Experience planning and facilitating design research activities (user and stakeholder).
Ability to conduct concept testing and usability testing, and produce reports.
Skilled in creating design artifacts such as experience models, personas, and storyboards.
Experience defining user interface behaviors and interaction design.
Proficiency with Figma for design and prototyping.
Strong presentation skills to communicate design thinking to clients.
Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Sketch and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Experience with other presentation/prototyping tools (InVision, Marvel, Axure, Adobe XD, HTML/JS/CSS).
Knowledge of best practices for UX and interaction design for responsive experiences.
Understanding of accessibility design issues.
Experience designing for content management systems (e.g., Sitecore, Acquia).
Experience with Agile process methodologies.
Requirements gathering and analysis experience.
Mobile app design experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Educational requirements are inferred based on typical industry standards for a senior-level design role. The emphasis on a strong portfolio is a critical requirement for design positions, highlighting the importance of demonstrating practical skills and process. Preferred skills add valuable context regarding the potential technology stack and methodologies used.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase a diverse range of customer experience examples, highlighting your end-to-end UX process.
Feature detailed case studies that tell the story of your design approach, from research and problem definition to solution and impact.
Include examples of user research activities, audience definition, and experience mapping.
Demonstrate proficiency in creating site maps, app maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes.
Provide functional specifications or documentation showcasing how your designs translate into technical requirements.
Present visually appealing and well-organized project documentation.

Process Documentation:

Clearly document your research and discovery phase, including methodologies used and key findings.
Illustrate your ideation and iteration methods, showing how you explored different design possibilities.
Detail your validation and testing approaches, including usability testing setup, results, and how feedback informed your design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific portfolio requirements are detailed to guide applicants on what to include to best demonstrate their skills and experience, focusing on process and impact. The emphasis on case studies and process documentation is crucial for a senior UX role, where understanding the 'why' behind design decisions is as important as the final output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As a remote contractor role based in Dubai, UAE, the salary can vary significantly based on experience, specific skills, and negotiation. Based on research for senior UX contractor roles in the UAE market, a potential range could be between AED 20,000 and AED 40,000 per month, depending on the specific client engagement and duration. This estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in the region, considering the cost of living in Dubai and the senior level of expertise required. The final rate will be subject to negotiation based on experience and the specifics of the contract.

Benefits: As a contractor, benefits typically differ from full-time employment. Contract arrangements often include a higher hourly or daily rate to compensate for the lack of traditional employee benefits. Specific benefits would be outlined in the contractor agreement but may include:

Competitive contract rate.
Flexibility in work location (remote).
Opportunity to work on diverse client projects.
Potential for contract extension based on performance and project needs.

Working Hours: The role is described as a contractor position, implying project-based work. Standard working hours would likely align with typical business hours for the client or Horizontal Digital, but flexibility may be possible depending on project needs and deliverables. Expect a standard full-time equivalent workload, likely around 40 hours per week, but structured around project milestones and deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary information is estimated based on regional data for senior-level UX contractor roles in Dubai, UAE, as no specific salary was provided. The nature of contractor benefits is explained, highlighting the difference from permanent employment and the potential for a higher rate to compensate for this.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Information Technology & Services / Digital Consultancy. Horizontal Digital specializes in providing digital consultancy services to Fortune 500 companies, focusing on customer experience.

Company Size: 201-500 employees globally. This size suggests a well-established company with structured teams and processes, but potentially still agile enough for individual contributions to have a significant impact.

Founded: 2003. Founded over two decades ago, Horizontal Digital has a history of experience in the digital landscape.

Team Structure: The Senior UX Designer will collaborate with a variety of disciplines, including strategists, UI designers, writers, business analysts, front-end developers, back-end developers, and project managers. This indicates a cross-functional team structure where the UX role is integrated into project delivery teams.

Methodology: The company emphasizes fusing strategy, data, design, and technology. The mention of Agile process experience as extra credit suggests that some teams or projects may utilize Agile methodologies, while others might follow different frameworks. The focus on user-centered design, research, and testing indicates a strong emphasis on understanding user needs throughout the design process.

Company Website: https://horizontaldigital.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Company information is contextualized to explain what the size, industry, and founding date mean for a design professional. The team structure and methodology are inferred from the description of collaboration and preferred skills, providing insight into the likely working environment and design process.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Senior UX Designer. This role is for an experienced professional expected to work independently, lead initiatives, and mentor others (though mentorship isn't explicitly stated, it's common at this level). The focus is on owning projects and driving the UX process from end to end for complex client engagements.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly defined, a Senior UX Designer in a consultancy typically reports to a Lead UX Designer, a Design Manager, or a Project Lead, depending on the project structure and company hierarchy. Collaboration with project managers and leads is expected.

Design Impact: Design is positioned as a core component of Horizontal Digital's offerings, fused with strategy, data, and technology. The Senior UX Designer will have a significant impact on the customer experiences delivered to Fortune 500 clients, influencing product design, user flow, and overall digital strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

Potential for growth into Lead UX Designer or Design Manager roles within Horizontal Digital (though as a contractor, this may be less direct).
Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific industries or client types.
Development of leadership and client management skills through leading workshops and presenting to stakeholders.
Continuous learning through exposure to diverse projects, technologies, and design challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career level is analyzed based on the responsibilities and required experience. Reporting structure and growth opportunities are inferred based on typical consultancy models and the senior nature of the role, while acknowledging the contractor status might influence the path.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Remote-first for this specific role. While Horizontal Digital has physical office locations, this position is explicitly stated as remote.

Office Location(s): The company has offices in Minneapolis, MN; Denver, Dallas, Indianapolis (USA); Dubai (UAE); Bengaluru, Vadodara, Pune (India); and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Although this role is remote, awareness of the global presence is relevant for potential cross-timezone collaboration.

Design Workspace Context:

Requires a comfortable and efficient remote workspace setup conducive to focused design work and virtual collaboration.
Access to reliable internet and necessary design software.
Effective use of digital collaboration tools to work seamlessly with distributed team members.

Work Schedule: As a remote contractor, the schedule may offer flexibility, but alignment with client and team time zones (potentially UAE and other global locations) will be necessary for meetings and collaboration. Project deadlines will dictate the pace and required hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is described based on the remote nature of the role, highlighting the requirements for a successful remote setup and the implications of working with a globally distributed company.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

Initial screening call to assess basic qualifications and fit.
Portfolio review and discussion focusing on process, case studies, and problem-solving approach. Be prepared to walk through your most relevant projects in detail.
Technical interview or design challenge to assess practical skills and design thinking under pressure.
Interviews with potential team members and stakeholders to assess collaboration and cultural fit.
Final interview with a hiring manager or design lead to discuss experience, leadership potential, and fit within the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate your portfolio to showcase projects relevant to digital consultancy and working with large clients.
Structure case studies to clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process (research, ideation, testing), your solution, and the impact of your design.
Emphasize your user research activities and how insights informed your design decisions.
Highlight your proficiency with Figma and other relevant design tools through project examples.
Demonstrate your understanding of responsive design and potentially mobile app design.
Showcase your ability to create detailed wireframes, prototypes, and potentially functional specifications.

Challenge Preparation:

Review common UX design challenge formats, such as designing a feature for an existing product or solving a specific user problem.
Practice articulating your design process and rationale clearly and concisely within a limited timeframe.
Be prepared to explain your assumptions and justify your design decisions based on user needs and business goals.
Consider how you would handle stakeholder feedback and iterate on your design.

ATS Keywords: User Experience Design, UX Designer, Human-Centered Design, User Research, Usability Testing, Wireframing, Prototyping, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Design Systems, Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, InVision, Axure, Adobe XD, Responsive Design, Mobile App Design, Agile, Content Management Systems (Sitecore, Acquia), Stakeholder Management, Collaboration, Case Studies, Portfolio, Design Process, User Flows, Site Maps, Personas, Storyboards, Service Blueprints, Functional Specifications, Accessibility, Data-Driven Design, Digital Consultancy, Fortune 500 Clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process is detailed with specific steps and preparation advice tailored to a senior UX design role in a consultancy context. The portfolio review tips and challenge preparation guidance are designed to help candidates effectively showcase their skills and process. A comprehensive list of ATS keywords is provided to assist with resume optimization.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

Figma: Required proficiency for design and prototyping, likely used for collaborative design work.
Sketch: Preferred experience, suggesting it may be used on some projects or by some team members.
Adobe Creative Cloud: Preferred experience, indicating potential use for visual design assets or other creative tasks.

Collaboration & Handoff:

InVision, Marvel, Axure, Adobe XD, HTML/JS/CSS: Preferred experience with these presentation/prototyping tools suggests various methods for sharing designs and specifications with developers and stakeholders.
Experience with project management and collaboration platforms (not explicitly mentioned but common in consultancies) would be beneficial.

Research & Testing:

Experience with using research and data to guide recommendations is required, implying the use of various research tools and methodologies (e.g., user interviews, surveys, analytics platforms).

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology section is expanded to provide context on how the listed tools are typically used in a design workflow, differentiating between required and preferred skills and highlighting tools for different stages of the design process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values: Horizontal Digital emphasizes customer experience ("You’re only as good as your worst customer experience") and values like "Lock arms" (collaboration), "Show hustle" (proactiveness), "Embrace change" (adaptability), "Elevate empathy" (user focus), and "Never settle" (continuous improvement). These values suggest a collaborative, driven, empathetic, and forward-thinking design culture.

Collaboration Style: The description highlights collaboration with various internal disciplines and client stakeholders. This suggests a highly collaborative environment where designers work closely with others throughout the project lifecycle. The emphasis on building trust with clients indicates a need for strong interpersonal and communication skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are interpreted in the context of design culture, providing insights into the expected behaviors and mindset of designers within the organization. The collaboration style is described based on the company's emphasis on teamwork and client relationships.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Working with Fortune 500 clients may involve navigating complex organizational structures and diverse stakeholder needs.
Balancing client expectations and business goals with user-centered design principles.
Adapting design processes and methodologies to fit various project requirements and client preferences.
Staying updated with evolving design trends, tools, and technologies in a fast-paced digital landscape.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Exposure to a wide range of industries and client challenges, fostering continuous learning and skill diversification.
Opportunity to work with and learn from experienced professionals across different disciplines.
Potential to lead and shape the UX approach on significant client projects.
Developing expertise in specific areas like design systems, accessibility, or mobile app design if these are areas of focus for clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: Potential design challenges are identified based on the nature of working in a digital consultancy serving large clients. Growth opportunities are framed around the learning potential and exposure provided by working on diverse projects and with a variety of teams.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end design process for a complex project, highlighting your approach to research, synthesis, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
Explain how you collaborate with researchers, UI designers, developers, and product managers throughout the design lifecycle.
Describe a time you faced a significant challenge in a design project and how you overcame it, focusing on your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Company Culture Questions:

Research Horizontal Digital's values (Lock arms, Show hustle, Embrace change, Elevate empathy, Never settle) and be prepared to discuss how your own values align with theirs, providing specific examples.
Ask questions about the design team structure, collaboration practices, and how design impact is measured within the organization.
Inquire about the typical client engagement process and how the design team integrates with client teams.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex digital products, end-to-end UX process, and collaboration.
For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your role, the methodologies you used, your design decisions, and the outcome or impact.
Use visuals effectively to illustrate your process and deliverables (wireframes, prototypes, research insights, etc.).
Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices and rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is structured to help candidates anticipate common questions related to design process, collaboration, and cultural fit, with specific guidance on preparing for the portfolio presentation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your senior-level UX experience, remote work capabilities, and alignment with Horizontal Digital's values and focus on customer experience for large clients.
Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible, and specifically showcases your expertise in human-centered design, wireframing, prototyping, and process documentation through detailed case studies.
Prepare to discuss your most impactful projects and clearly articulate your design process and the rationale behind your decisions during the interview stages.
Research Horizontal Digital and their work to understand their approach to digital consultancy and be prepared to ask informed questions about the role and the team.

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

UX Designer - Contractor