UI/ UX Design Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI/UX Design Lead Company: Traveloka Location: Singapore - Local Office, Singapore Job Type: Full-time Category: Design Operations / Product Design Leadership Date Posted: November 10, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor cross-functional design teams in the end-to-end human-centered design process for product development, ensuring user needs are met through insightful data analysis and creative problem-solving.
• Drive the strategic execution of design projects, from concept initiation and insight gathering to prototype development and stakeholder communication, aligning with business goals and objectives.
• Manage design team resources, including planning, assignment, and oversight, to optimize the delivery of high-quality design outputs within defined timelines and budgets.
• Uphold and elevate design development quality by providing technical expertise, conducting regular design reviews, and safeguarding production processes against potential risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is UI/UX Design Lead, the responsibilities heavily emphasize project and team management within a design context, aligning it closely with Design Operations leadership. The role requires a blend of hands-on design craft, methodological expertise (Human Centered Design), and strong leadership/project management capabilities, crucial for driving complex product design initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design team in creating innovative product designs and features by initiating context and insight gathering activities, framing project objectives, and synthesizing findings to inform design directions.
• Analyze and synthesize user insights and feasibility test results to enhance visual delivery and ensure a superior user experience, communicating proposed solutions effectively to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into actionable design deliverables, overseeing the development of cohesive design project briefs, concepts, and prototypes.
• Manage project schedules, timelines, and budgets, actively troubleshooting issues arising from project implementation and developing resource plans using scheduling tools.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance on product design, development, and deployment, conducting regular design reviews to ensure all parameters in the production plan are met.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including business and product managers, to align on requirements for upcoming plans and development cycles.
• Foster organizational development by providing performance feedback, coaching designers through on-the-job training, and promoting a culture of learning from mistakes.
• Champion the design team, celebrate collective achievements, and effectively delegate authority while fostering trust and comfort in collaborative work environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant focus on process management, stakeholder alignment, and team development, which are core to operations roles. The emphasis on "human-centered design process," "optimizing work processes," and "translating product plans to design production needs" directly points to the operational aspects of managing design initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design, UI/Interaction Design, Product Design, or a related design discipline is expected.

Experience:

• Overall 7-9 years of total work experience in the design domain.
• Minimum of 4 years as a hands-on Designer.
• At least 2 years in a project management or leadership position with a proven history of strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in data-informed product design and development.

Required Skills:

• Human-Centered Design (HCD) Methodology: Deep understanding of HCD principles, methods, and tools, with a portfolio showcasing practical application.
• Design Leadership & Mentoring: Proven ability to mentor high-performing, interdisciplinary design teams and foster their growth.
• Project Management: Strong skills in planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk management for design projects.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written English communication, negotiation, constructive feedback, presentation, and stakeholder expectation management.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking: Highly motivated to solve complex design challenges, with the ability to analyze data, synthesize insights, and anticipate potential risks.
• Design Craft & Storytelling: A strong portfolio demonstrating design excellence and the ability to articulate design rationale and impact effectively.
• Collaboration & Consensus Building: Ability to form consensus across a fast-moving, broad organization and work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Agile methodologies in a product development environment.
• Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, InVision).
• Experience in user research and usability testing.
• Familiarity with A/B testing and data analysis for design optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize leadership, project management, and a strong understanding of design methodology, typical for a senior role managing operational aspects of design. The "portfolio that showcases design craft with deep understanding of the Human Centered Design methodology" implies a need for documented processes and outcomes, aligning with operations' focus on process and results.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing at least 3-5 detailed case studies that demonstrate a deep understanding and application of the Human-Centered Design methodology. Each case study should clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, user insights, and tangible outcomes.
• Process Documentation: Evidence of structured design processes used, including user research methodologies, ideation techniques, prototyping methods, and iteration strategies. Highlight how these processes were documented and shared within teams.
• System Integration & Workflow Design: Examples of how design outputs were integrated into broader product development workflows, and how your team optimized these workflows for efficiency and quality.
• ROI Demonstration: Quantifiable impact from your design solutions, demonstrating how they contributed to business goals (e.g., increased user engagement, conversion rates, reduced support tickets, improved user satisfaction scores). Metrics and data-driven results are crucial.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of how you've designed or optimized design development workflows to improve efficiency, collaboration, and output quality. This could include process maps, RACI charts, or workflow automation strategies.
• Implementation & Automation: Detail instances where you've implemented new design processes or leveraged tools to automate repetitive tasks, streamline handoffs, or improve version control within design projects.
• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you've established metrics and conducted performance analysis for design initiatives, using data to drive continuous improvement and report on impact to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is critical for a Design Operations-adjacent role. The emphasis on case studies, process documentation, workflow optimization, and ROI demonstration directly aligns with the expectations for operations professionals who must prove the value and efficiency of their managed processes and teams.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a UI/UX Design Lead in Singapore with 7-9 years of experience, the estimated salary range is SGD 8,000 - SGD 12,000 per month. This estimate considers the seniority of the role, leadership responsibilities, and the competitive market in Singapore for design and tech professionals.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for stock options.
• Generous paid time off (annual leave, sick leave, public holidays).
• Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.
• Potential for meal allowances or subsidized meals.
• Commuting support or flexible working arrangements where applicable.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with standard business hours (e.g., 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday). Flexibility may be offered, but the on-site nature of the role implies a need to align with core office working hours for team collaboration and project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for a senior design leadership role in Singapore. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, specific skills, and the company's internal compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology, Travel Technology, E-commerce. Traveloka operates in a dynamic and competitive digital landscape, focusing on providing a comprehensive range of travel and lifestyle services. This fast-paced environment demands agility and innovation. Company Size: Traveloka is a large technology company, with employee counts often in the thousands globally. This scale means established processes but also opportunities for significant impact and career growth within a structured organization. Founded: Traveloka was founded in 2012. Its relatively recent founding and rapid growth indicate a culture that is likely modern, agile, and focused on innovation and scaling.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The role likely oversees a team of UI/UX designers, potentially including specialists in interaction design, visual design, and user research. The team size could range from a small group to a medium-sized unit, depending on Traveloka's current organizational structure.
• Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Design Lead will report to a Design Manager or Head of Design, and will directly manage a team of designers. They will also work closely with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaboration is expected to be extensive, involving close partnerships with product management, engineering, marketing, and data science teams to ensure cohesive product development and user experience.

Methodology:

• Data-Informed Design: The role emphasizes using data to inform design decisions, suggesting a strong reliance on analytics, user research, and A/B testing to validate hypotheses and measure success.
• Agile Development: Given the tech industry context, it's highly probable that the design team operates within Agile or Scrum frameworks, requiring iterative design cycles and close collaboration with development sprints.
• Human-Centered Design: This is a core tenet, ensuring that user needs, behaviors, and contexts are at the forefront of all design activities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Traveloka's position as a major player in the Southeast Asian travel-tech market is key. The operational implications include high user volume, diverse market needs, and a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making to maintain a competitive edge.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design function, with significant leadership and management responsibilities. It bridges hands-on design expertise with operational management, focusing on team performance, process efficiency, and strategic output. This is a critical step towards potentially higher leadership roles in design or operations.

Reporting Structure: The UI/UX Design Lead will report to a higher-level design leader (e.g., Design Manager, Head of Design) and will be responsible for managing and mentoring a team of designers. This dual reporting and management structure requires strong communication and alignment skills.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role extends beyond just visual design. It involves operationalizing the design process to ensure timely, high-quality product releases that directly influence user acquisition, retention, and overall customer satisfaction—key drivers of revenue and business growth for Traveloka. By optimizing design workflows and team performance, the lead contributes to the company's ability to innovate and respond effectively to market demands.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to Design Manager, Head of Design, or even Director-level roles, overseeing larger design organizations or specialized design functions.
• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas of design operations, such as design systems management, UX research operations, or product design strategy.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Potential to move into broader product leadership roles or operational strategy positions within the company, leveraging a holistic understanding of product development.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning in areas like team management, strategic planning, operational efficiency, and emerging design technologies and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes moving from managing design execution to managing design operations and strategy, aligning with typical career trajectories in senior operational leadership roles within tech companies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in a "Local Office," indicating a physical office environment. This suggests a traditional workplace setup designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Singapore - Local Office. Singapore is a global hub for technology and business, offering a dynamic and well-connected work environment. Access to public transportation and business amenities is likely excellent.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office likely features open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated collaboration spaces to facilitate teamwork and brainstorming sessions, essential for a design-led role.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and collaboration tools will be provided, supporting efficient design workflow and team communication.
• Team Interaction: The on-site nature facilitates spontaneous interactions, team meetings, and direct mentorship opportunities, crucial for building team cohesion and fostering a strong design culture.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected, with the on-site requirement reinforcing the need for presence during core business hours to engage in team activities, client meetings, and project collaborations. Flexibility might be available, but the emphasis is on in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major tech hub like Singapore points to a structured, collaborative, and professional work environment that prioritizes face-to-face interaction for team synergy and project alignment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit. Be prepared to articulate your understanding of Traveloka's mission and values.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deeper dive into your experience, leadership style, and approach to design operations. Expect questions about team management, process improvement, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you'll present your portfolio. Prepare 2-3 detailed case studies that showcase your HCD expertise, leadership, and impact. Focus on the "why" behind your design decisions and the operational processes you implemented.
• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential team members or peers from other departments (e.g., Product Management, Engineering) to assess collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and overall fit.
• Final Interview: Often with a senior leader or executive, focusing on strategic thinking, long-term vision for the design team, and alignment with company objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your strongest HCD case studies first. For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process (emphasizing operational aspects), your contributions, the solutions, and the measurable outcomes.
• Highlight Process & Operations: Beyond the final designs, emphasize how you achieved them. Detail the methodologies used, the challenges overcome through process improvements or stakeholder management, and how you led the team.
• Quantify Results: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work. Show how your designs translated into business value (e.g., conversion rates, user satisfaction, efficiency gains).
• Storytelling: Weave a narrative around your projects. Explain the context, the challenges, your strategic thinking, and the lessons learned. This demonstrates critical thinking and adaptability.
• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize your leadership, project management, and HCD methodology skills, as these are key requirements for this position.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home design challenge or an in-person whiteboard exercise. This might involve solving a specific design problem or outlining a process for a given scenario. Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, HCD knowledge, and ability to think critically under pressure.
• Process Design: You might be asked to outline a process for a specific design challenge or to propose improvements to an existing workflow. Think about how you would gather requirements, involve stakeholders, manage resources, and measure success.
• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle disagreements with stakeholders, manage conflicting priorities, or communicate complex design decisions to non-design audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes not just design skills but also leadership, process management, and the ability to articulate impact, which are crucial for operations-focused roles. The portfolio review is a key opportunity to showcase operational thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Proficiency in tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), InVision, or similar platforms for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.
• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar for managing design sprints, tracking tasks, and coordinating with development teams.
• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence, or Google Workspace for team communication, documentation, and knowledge sharing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Experience with tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Firebase to track user behavior, analyze product performance, and inform design decisions.
• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for creating dashboards to report on design metrics and user engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design outputs integrate with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for customer journey mapping or user segmentation might be beneficial.
• Familiarity with workflow automation concepts can be advantageous for streamlining design processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack emphasizes tools used for design execution, project management, and data analysis, all critical components of operationalizing the design process. Proficiency in these tools is essential for efficient team management and output delivery.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving users, making their needs the primary driver for all design and operational decisions.
• Excellence & Quality: A drive for high standards in design craft, process execution, and product delivery, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Valuing open communication, teamwork across disciplines, and sharing knowledge and feedback openly to foster a cohesive and effective working environment.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing data and insights to inform strategies, validate hypotheses, and measure the impact of design initiatives.
• Adaptability & Agility: Embracing change, learning quickly, and iterating in response to feedback and evolving market needs within a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively fosters strong partnerships with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Data teams, ensuring design is integrated early and continuously throughout the product lifecycle.
• Feedback Culture: Encourages constructive feedback loops within the design team and with stakeholders, viewing feedback as an opportunity for growth and refinement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promotes a culture of sharing best practices, insights, and learnings through design critiques, internal presentations, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are indicative of a modern, high-performing tech organization that prioritizes user outcomes, efficient processes, and strong interdepartmental synergy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between delivering ideal user experiences and meeting stringent business objectives, requiring strong negotiation and strategic thinking.
• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively aligning and managing the varied priorities and perspectives of multiple stakeholders (product, engineering, marketing, leadership) to ensure project success.
• Scaling Design Operations: As Traveloka grows, maintaining design quality and efficiency while scaling the design team and its processes will be a continuous challenge.
• Rapid Iteration in a Fast-Paced Market: Adapting quickly to market changes, user feedback, and competitive pressures while maintaining focus and delivering high-quality designs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Opportunities to attend leadership training, workshops on strategic management, and industry conferences focused on design operations and product strategy.
• Mentorship Programs: Access to mentorship from senior leaders within Traveloka or through external programs to guide career development.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gaining broader business acumen by working closely with different departments, potentially leading to opportunities in product management or operational strategy.
• Skill Specialization: Developing expertise in areas like design systems, UX research operations, or advanced data analytics for design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Identifying these challenges and opportunities allows candidates to prepare for potential hurdles and highlight their proactive approach to personal and professional development within the role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and implement a robust Human-Centered Design process within a fast-paced tech company like Traveloka?" (Focus on methodology, stakeholder buy-in, and iterative cycles.)
• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities between user needs and business objectives. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight negotiation, compromise, and data-driven decision-making.)
• "How do you ensure the quality and consistency of design outputs across a team, especially when working on multiple projects simultaneously?" (Discuss design reviews, style guides, design systems, and team processes.)
• "Imagine our product team wants to launch a new feature quickly. How would you balance speed with ensuring a high-quality, user-centered design?" (Emphasize phased rollouts, MVP thinking, and agile design practices.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Traveloka's mission and its impact on the travel industry?" (Research Traveloka's latest initiatives, market position, and company values.)
• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative culture within a design team, and how would you integrate with other departments at Traveloka?" (Discuss team-building activities, feedback mechanisms, and cross-functional communication strategies.)
• "How do you measure the success of design initiatives and demonstrate their value to the business?" (Prepare to discuss KPIs, metrics, and case studies with quantifiable results.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select Impactful Projects: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your leadership, HCD expertise, and operational management skills.
• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, follow a clear story arc: Problem -> Your Role -> Process & Challenges -> Solution -> Outcomes & Learnings.
• Emphasize Process & Operations: Clearly articulate the design methodology, research techniques, collaboration efforts, and any process improvements you implemented.
• Showcase Leadership: Detail how you mentored your team, managed resources, communicated with stakeholders, and navigated challenges.
• Quantify Results: Present data-driven evidence of your impact (e.g., % increase in conversion, % decrease in user errors, improved NPS scores).
• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, trade-offs, and how you handled setbacks.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions will demonstrate your strategic thinking, operational acumen, and ability to lead a design team effectively within a corporate environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI/UX Design Lead position at Traveloka:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday job portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in Human-Centered Design, Design Leadership, Project Management, and Stakeholder Engagement, using keywords from the job description.
• Resume Optimization: Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and examples of process improvements or team leadership. Ensure your resume clearly states your years of experience in design and leadership roles.
• Portfolio Walkthrough Practice: Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling, articulating your process, and demonstrating measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how you mentor teams.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Traveloka’s products, services, recent news, and company culture. Understand their market position and user base to articulate your interest and how your skills align with their goals.

⚠️ 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.