UX UI Designer - UAE Nationals Only

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager UX/UI Design

Company: Etihad Airways (EAG)

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design, Digital Strategy Operations

Date Posted: December 03, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the creation of human-centered digital experiences across various touchpoints, including ground operations, inflight systems, and digital platforms like Etihad.com and mobile applications, aligning with Etihad's overarching digital strategy.

• Drive collaborative design processes, integrating user feedback, business priorities, and key performance metrics to ensure impactful and user-friendly interfaces.

• Lead the design and specification of user interfaces and information architecture, employing advanced participatory and iterative design methodologies.

• Champion innovation by staying ahead of market trends in human-centered design, synthesizing competitive research into actionable product development insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of "Manager UX/UI Design" at Etihad suggests a strategic and leadership-oriented position within their digital operations. While the title "Manager" implies oversight, the core responsibilities described lean heavily into hands-on design leadership and strategic input, particularly in shaping the company's digital ecosystem. This role is crucial for operational efficiency and customer experience enhancement across multiple business units.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and specification of user interfaces (UI) and information architecture (IA) for a diverse range of digital products, including the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, Mobile App, Etihad.com, Cargo platform, and crew applications.

• Conduct and leverage user research methodologies such as observational studies, customer interviews, and usability testing to build empathy and gather critical requirements for design solutions.

• Collaborate closely with Etihad Airways departments (EAG) and Innovation partners to ensure designs are aligned with business objectives and operational realities.

• Maintain a keen awareness of emerging trends and best practices in human-centered design, user experience (UX), and digital product development.

• Synthesize competitive research and market insights to inform new product development and enhance existing digital offerings, contributing to a robust digital strategy.

• Actively participate in shaping Etihad's end-to-end digital strategy, ensuring its evolution aligns with the company's 5-year strategic plan.

• Develop and support business cases for digital product and service enhancements, working in conjunction with Digital, Technology, Analytics, and Guest Experience teams.

• Champion a data-driven approach to design, integrating metrics and user feedback to measure the success and impact of implemented solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic thinking and tactical execution. The emphasis on diverse digital touchpoints (ground, inflight, digital) and cross-functional collaboration points to a role that requires strong project management and communication skills alongside design expertise. The requirement to support business cases indicates a need for analytical and persuasive capabilities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Design (Interaction Design, Product Design, Industrial Design), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science (CS), or a closely related field is required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a customer-centric, agile organization is required. This experience should demonstrate a proven track record in delivering user-centered digital products and services.

Required Skills:

• User Experience (UX) Design: Deep understanding and practical application of UX principles, methodologies, and best practices.

• User Interface (UI) Design: Proficiency in creating intuitive, engaging, and visually appealing user interfaces.

• Information Architecture (IA): Ability to structure and organize content logically and effectively for optimal user navigation and understanding.

• Human-Centered Design: A strong commitment to designing solutions from the user's perspective, incorporating empathy and user needs throughout the process.

• Agile Methodology: Experience working within agile development frameworks, emphasizing iterative design and rapid prototyping.

• Usability Testing: Expertise in planning, conducting, and analyzing usability tests to identify areas for improvement.

• Customer Interviews & User Research: Skill in gathering qualitative user insights through direct engagement and research methods.

• Digital Strategy: Understanding of how UX/UI design contributes to broader digital business objectives and strategic planning.

• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including product managers, developers, analysts, and business stakeholders.

• Design Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite).

Preferred Skills:

• Participatory Design & Iterative Design: Experience with methodologies that actively involve users in the design process and refine designs through continuous feedback loops.

• Empathy Building Techniques: Advanced methods for understanding user motivations, behaviors, and pain points.

• Market Research & Competitive Analysis: Ability to analyze market trends and competitor offerings to identify opportunities and inform design strategy.

• Business Acumen: Understanding of business priorities, metrics, and how design decisions impact business outcomes.

• Animation & Motion Design: Skills in incorporating motion to enhance user experience and guide user interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a strong foundation in core UX/UI principles, coupled with practical experience in agile environments and a strategic mindset. The preference for advanced degrees and the 5-10 year experience range indicate a senior role requiring both technical expertise and leadership potential. The inclusion of "UAE Nationals Only" is a critical filter for applicants.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies Demonstrating User-Centered Design Process: A portfolio should clearly articulate the journey from problem identification through research, ideation, design, testing, and iteration, showcasing your role and contributions at each stage.

• Demonstration of Impactful UI/IA Solutions: Showcase visually compelling and functionally robust interfaces and information architectures that solve real user problems and meet business objectives.

• Evidence of Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Include examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams, managed stakeholder feedback, and navigated complex project requirements.

• Quantifiable Results and Metrics: Where possible, provide data-driven evidence of the success of your designs, such as improvements in conversion rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, or reduction in support inquiries.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Detail your approach to mapping existing user flows, identifying bottlenecks, and designing optimized workflows that enhance efficiency and user satisfaction.

• Iterative Design & Prototyping: Showcase your ability to create interactive prototypes at various fidelity levels and iterate based on user feedback and testing results.

• User Research Synthesis: Demonstrate how you translate raw user research data (interviews, surveys, usability tests) into actionable design insights and requirements.

• Cross-Functional Process Integration: Explain how you integrate UX/UI design processes with development, product management, and business operations to ensure seamless product delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role at this level, a portfolio is paramount. It should not just showcase final designs, but the entire design thinking process. The emphasis on collaboration and business impact suggests that candidates should be prepared to discuss how their design work directly contributes to operational efficiency and strategic goals within an airline context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Likely includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision for the employee and potentially dependents, a standard offering for major employers in the UAE.

• Annual Leave: Generous paid annual leave days, in line with UAE labor law and company policy, plus public holidays.

• Travel Benefits: As an airline, expect significant travel perks, such as discounted flights for employees and their families, potentially including upgrade opportunities.

• Relocation Assistance: If applicable for UAE Nationals relocating within the country for the role, support may be provided.

• Pension/End-of-Service Gratuity: Contributions towards a retirement fund or end-of-service benefits as per UAE labor law.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and conferences to enhance UX/UI and leadership skills.

• Life Insurance: Coverage providing financial security for beneficiaries.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are typically around 40 hours per week (e.g., 8 hours per day, 5 days a week). Given the "Manager" designation and the nature of digital product development, some flexibility may be expected, potentially requiring occasional overtime or adjusted hours to meet project deadlines or collaborate with global teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on general market research for UX/UI Design Manager roles in Abu Dhabi, considering the experience level and the reputation of Etihad Airways as a major employer. Benefits are inferred based on industry standards for large multinational corporations, particularly airlines, operating in the UAE.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Aviation, Travel & Tourism, Transportation, Digital Services

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Etihad Airways is part of the Etihad Aviation Group, employing tens of thousands globally). This signifies a structured environment with established processes and significant resources.

Founded: 2003. Etihad Airways is a relatively young but rapidly grown airline, known for its innovation and focus on premium customer service.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The role sits within the broader digital and guest experience operations, implying collaboration with teams responsible for the actual delivery and maintenance of digital products.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a Head of Digital Experience, Director of UX/UI, or a senior leader within the Product or Digital Strategy division.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Will work extensively with Product Managers, Developers (Front-end and Back-end), Data Analysts, Marketing teams, Guest Experience specialists, and potentially business unit leaders across ground, inflight, and cargo operations.

Methodology:

• Human-Centered Design: The core methodology, emphasizing user needs and iterative feedback.

• Agile Development: Projects will likely follow agile sprints, requiring designers to be adaptable and responsive.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Insights from analytics and user behavior data will inform design choices and strategy.

• Innovation Focus: Etihad Aviation Group actively pursues innovation, suggesting an environment that encourages new ideas and experimental approaches.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Etihad's position as a global airline implies a fast-paced, customer-centric, and technologically driven environment. The "UAE Nationals Only" requirement suggests a focus on local talent development and integration within the national workforce strategy.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Manager" role represents a senior individual contributor or a first-level management position within UX/UI design. It requires strategic thinking, leadership in design direction, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams. The responsibilities extend beyond pure design execution to include strategic input and business case development.

Reporting Structure: The role will likely report into a senior leadership position within the Digital, Product, or Guest Experience departments. This provides exposure to strategic decision-making processes at a higher level.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Manager plays a critical role in shaping the digital touchpoints that directly impact customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and revenue generation. By optimizing user experiences across the digital ecosystem, this role contributes significantly to customer loyalty, ancillary revenue, and streamlined internal operations (e.g., crew apps, cargo management).

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership: Progression to Head of UX/UI, Director of Digital Product, or VP of Digital Experience, overseeing larger teams and broader strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like AI-driven personalization in travel, advanced accessibility design, or leading large-scale digital transformation projects.

• Cross-Departmental Moves: Potential to transition into Product Management, Digital Strategy, or Innovation roles within Etihad Aviation Group, leveraging a strong understanding of user needs and digital platforms.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth of the UX/UI function within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path suggests a significant opportunity for growth within a major global organization. The role is positioned to be a key player in Etihad's digital transformation, offering visibility and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Abu Dhabi, likely within Etihad's corporate headquarters or a dedicated innovation/digital hub. This environment is expected to be modern, collaborative, and equipped with the necessary technology for design work.

Office Location(s): Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This central location in the UAE's capital offers a dynamic professional setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated design studios designed to foster teamwork and brainstorming.

• Technology Infrastructure: Access to high-performance workstations, reliable internet, and the latest design software and hardware.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face interaction with immediate team members and cross-functional colleagues, crucial for agile development and design reviews.

Work Schedule: While typically 40 hours per week, the nature of digital product evolution and airline operations may necessitate flexibility. This could include occasional participation in global calls that fall outside standard hours or dedicated time for focused design work, free from immediate interruptions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Being on-site in Abu Dhabi is key for this role, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration, team integration, and direct engagement with stakeholders within the Etihad ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application, focusing on "UAE Nationals Only" status, minimum experience, and degree requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Detailed discussion about your UX/UI philosophy, experience with specific methodologies (agile, human-centered design), and understanding of the aviation/travel industry. Expect behavioral questions related to collaboration and problem-solving.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A critical stage where you will present selected case studies from your portfolio. Be prepared to walk through your design process, rationale behind key decisions, challenges faced, and the impact of your work. This will likely involve a presentation to the hiring manager and potentially senior team members.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: You may be given a short design exercise or a problem scenario to solve within a limited timeframe. This assesses your practical design skills, problem-solving approach, and ability to think on your feet.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Development, or Guest Experience teams to assess cultural fit and ability to collaborate effectively.

• Final Interview: May involve a senior leader (e.g., Head of Digital) to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your end-to-end UX/UI process, highlighting your most significant achievements and relevant experience (e.g., mobile apps, web platforms, complex systems).

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process undertaken, the solutions developed, your design rationale, and the measurable outcomes. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and integrated business requirements into your designs.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your contributions wherever possible. Use metrics related to user satisfaction, efficiency gains, conversion rates, or revenue impact.

• Tailor to Etihad: If possible, subtly weave in insights about the aviation industry or how your skills could benefit Etihad's specific digital challenges.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, quickly grasp the user needs and business goals.

• Prioritize & Scope: Identify the core issues and focus your solution on the most critical aspects within the given time.

• Articulate Your Process: Clearly explain your thought process, assumptions, and the steps you're taking to arrive at a solution, even if incomplete.

• Consider Trade-offs: Discuss potential trade-offs and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to evaluate not only design skills but also strategic thinking, collaboration capabilities, and cultural fit. A strong, well-documented portfolio is essential for progressing through the stages.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, Axure RP (Familiarity with at least one major tool is essential; Figma is increasingly becoming an industry standard).

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar (for analytics and heatmaps), SurveyMonkey or Typeform for feedback collection.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams (for communication and workflow management).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web/App Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics (for tracking user behavior, conversions, and performance).

• Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI (potentially used by analytics teams to share insights, and beneficial for designers to understand data presented).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics (understanding how UX design integrates with CRM data for personalized experiences).

• Marketing Automation: Adobe Marketing Cloud, HubSpot (awareness of how digital platforms interact with marketing automation systems).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in modern design and prototyping tools is a given. The emphasis on analytics and collaboration tools indicates that the role requires an understanding of how design fits into a broader, data-driven, and integrated technology ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A fundamental value, driving all design decisions to prioritize the guest experience.

• Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and forward-thinking solutions to stay competitive in the aviation industry.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated.

• Excellence: A drive for high-quality outcomes in all aspects of design and execution.

• Efficiency: Streamlining processes and optimizing user flows to improve operational effectiveness and user satisfaction.

• Data-Driven: Using insights from data to inform decisions and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Design is not siloed but integrated within agile product teams, working closely with product managers, developers, and business stakeholders.

• Open Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback on designs and processes to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, research findings, and design techniques across the UX/UI team and broader digital organization.

• Partnership: Working as partners with business units to understand their needs and co-create solutions that drive value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Etihad likely promotes a culture that balances premium service standards with a modern, agile approach to digital product development. The emphasis on collaboration and data is key for operations roles within such an organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse User Needs: Catering to a wide range of users, from business travelers to families, and from crew members to cargo clients, each with unique needs and technical proficiencies.

• Legacy Systems Integration: Designing new experiences that seamlessly integrate with or update existing, potentially older, systems.

• Global Operations Complexity: Designing for a global audience with varying cultural expectations, languages, and accessibility requirements.

• Pace of Change: Keeping up with rapid advancements in technology and user expectations in the digital space while maintaining operational stability.

• Data Accessibility & Utilization: Ensuring access to relevant user data and effectively translating it into actionable design improvements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading UX/UI and digital strategy conferences (e.g., Nielsen Norman Group, SmashingConf).

• Specialized Training: Access to advanced courses in areas like service design, accessibility standards, or AI in UX.

• Internal Workshops & Knowledge Sharing: Regular sessions led by internal experts on new tools, methodologies, or industry best practices.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders or to mentor junior designers, fostering leadership growth.

• Exposure to Large-Scale Projects: Gaining experience in managing complex, high-impact digital initiatives within a major global enterprise.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are typical of large, complex organizations in dynamic industries. Overcoming these challenges presents substantial opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a mobile app in an airline context. How would you incorporate user feedback and business goals?" (Focus on your end-to-end process, agile approach, and how you balance user needs with business objectives).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UX/UI design and human-centered design? Can you provide an example of how a recent trend influenced your work?" (Demonstrate continuous learning and your ability to apply new knowledge).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about working for Etihad Airways and specifically in the aviation industry?" (Research Etihad's mission, values, recent digital initiatives, and connect your passion to their context).

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design stakeholders, such as product managers, developers, and business leads?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional collaboration and how you manage differing priorities).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome. Use a consistent story arc.

• Showcase Your Thinking: Don't just present final screens; explain why you made certain design decisions. Discuss alternatives considered and the rationale for choosing the final approach.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it interactive. Ask questions, gauge their reactions, and be ready to dive deeper into specific aspects of your work.

• Highlight Impact: Emphasize the measurable results and business value your designs delivered. Use charts and data visualization where appropriate.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, challenges, and how you would handle specific scenarios relevant to Etihad.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of UX/UI principles, a strategic mindset, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to articulate the business value of design, all within the context of the aviation industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the Etihad Careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 5+ years of experience in customer-centric, agile environments, emphasizing UX/UI design, information architecture, and human-centered design methodologies. Integrate keywords from the job description naturally.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest design case studies that best represent your skills and experience relevant to Etihad's digital products. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, the solution, and measurable outcomes. Prepare a concise presentation of these case studies.

• Research Etihad's Digital Presence: Familiarize yourself with Etihad's website, mobile app, and any other digital touchpoints mentioned. Understand their brand, target audience, and current digital strategy. Think about potential areas for UX/UI improvement.

• Prepare for Behavioral & Situational Questions: Reflect on past projects and experiences that demonstrate your collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential. Practice articulating your design process and the impact of your work.

⚠️ 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.