Lead Product Designer, Sports

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Product Designer, Sports

Company: Fanatics Momentum

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: September 20, 2026

Experience Level: 7+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end product design strategy and execution for Sportsbook and sports-led fan experiences, ensuring intuitive and engaging user journeys.

• Drive the discovery, information architecture, and interaction design for complex, data-heavy, and real-time consumer interfaces within the sports wagering domain.

• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, Trading, Research, and Marketing teams to translate customer insights into high-quality user experiences and establish robust design standards.

• Develop and implement reusable design patterns and shared design systems to enhance speed, consistency, and overall user experience across the product domain.

• Leverage AI tools to accelerate design exploration, prototyping, research synthesis, and iterative design processes, staying at the forefront of design innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hands-on leadership opportunity within a rapidly growing, regulated commercial gaming operator in the UAE. The focus on "sports-led fan experiences" suggests a broader scope beyond just betting, potentially encompassing content, community, and engagement features within a "connected Fan Ecosystem." The emphasis on AI also indicates a forward-thinking approach to design and development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the complete user experience lifecycle for Sportsbook and sports-related fan engagement features, from initial concept to final implementation.

• Conduct thorough user research, information architecture planning, and interaction design to create seamless and intuitive user flows for both pre-match and in-play betting scenarios.

• Design core functionalities such as discovery, bet slip tracking, and fan engagement surfaces, ensuring they are user-friendly and contextually relevant.

• Create high-fidelity prototypes, validate designs through customer testing and usability studies, and iterate based on feedback and performance data.

• Establish and maintain a comprehensive library of shared design patterns and ensure high design quality across all product touchpoints within the sports domain.

• Drive early integration of design thinking into the product discovery phase, ensuring user needs are central to product strategy and development.

• Champion best practices in user experience design, advocating for user-centricity and data-informed decision-making across the product team.

• Improve key metrics such as usability, conversion rates, and fan engagement through strategic design interventions and continuous optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant level of ownership and strategic input. The "Within 12 months, you will have" section provides clear, measurable objectives, indicating a results-oriented environment where tangible impact is expected. The emphasis on "embedded Design earlier into Product discovery" and "created reusable patterns" points to a need for proactive design leadership and system thinking.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead role.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Product Design, with a proven track record in consumer-facing mobile applications.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in designing for sports, gaming, media, entertainment, marketplaces, or other high-frequency consumer products.

• Deep expertise in interaction design, prototyping (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), and user research methodologies.

• Strong systems thinking capabilities, enabling the design of cohesive and scalable user experiences.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Product Managers and Engineering teams to translate complex requirements and customer insights into high-quality design solutions.

• Experience designing complex, data-heavy, or real-time consumer experiences, such as financial platforms, live event applications, or e-commerce.

• Demonstrated ability to establish design standards, create reusable patterns, and contribute to or build design systems.

• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools for design exploration, prototyping, research synthesis, and iteration.

• A strong consumer mobile portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process and impactful outcomes. Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience in Sportsbook or iGaming product design.

• Familiarity with sports media or broader fan engagement product ecosystems.

• Experience with international consumer products and understanding of diverse user needs.

• Experience in developing and maintaining comprehensive design systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Qualifications" are quite specific, particularly the 7+ years of experience and the domain-specific product types (sports, gaming, media, etc.). The emphasis on "complex, data-heavy or real-time consumer experiences" and the mention of "AI" point towards a sophisticated product environment. The encouragement to apply even without possessing all qualifications suggests a focus on potential and relevant experience over rigid adherence to every listed item.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design process for consumer mobile applications.

• Case studies that clearly articulate user problems, design challenges, your role, design decisions, and measurable outcomes.

• Examples of designing for complex, data-heavy, or real-time interfaces, particularly within sports, gaming, or similar high-frequency consumer product domains.

• Demonstrations of interaction design, prototyping skills, and user research methodologies applied to real-world problems.

• Evidence of establishing design standards, creating reusable patterns, or contributing to design systems.

• Showcase how AI tools were leveraged to enhance the design process or outcomes. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail the design process, from discovery and research through to iteration and validation.

• Highlight the collaboration process with Product and Engineering teams, illustrating how user insights were translated into functional designs.

• Include examples of information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing phases.

• Document the creation and application of design patterns and systems, showing their impact on consistency and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Product Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond just showcasing polished UIs. Candidates must demonstrate strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles applied to complex, dynamic product environments like sports wagering. The inclusion of AI tool usage is a modern requirement that should be explicitly addressed in case studies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Lead Product Designer title, 7+ years of experience, and the location in Abu Dhabi within the rapidly growing gaming sector, a competitive salary is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major international hubs and considering Abu Dhabi's cost of living and the specialized nature of the gaming industry, the estimated annual salary range could be between AED 300,000 - AED 500,000 (approximately USD 81,600 - USD 136,000). This range is highly dependent on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and the company's compensation strategy.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays).

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to design resources.

• Relocation assistance may be provided for international candidates.

• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to a groundbreaking venture in a regulated market.

• Potential for career advancement within a fast-growing organization.

Working Hours: Typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility often provided. Given the on-site requirement, standard office hours are expected, though project demands may occasionally require extended hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research for Lead Product Designer roles in high-cost-of-living cities with significant tech/gaming sectors (e.g., Dubai, Singapore, London) and adjusted for Abu Dhabi. The absence of specific benefits in the job description necessitates inferring standard corporate benefits for a company of this nature and ambition. The "Full-Time" employment type implies a standard work week.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Regulated Commercial Gaming Operator (Sportsbook, Lottery, iGaming, Digital Content). This industry is characterized by rapid innovation, a focus on user engagement, data analytics, regulatory compliance, and a competitive market landscape.

Company Size: Fanatics Momentum is described as a "new UAE-based business" that is "ambitious, well-resourced, and moving fast." While exact current numbers aren't provided, its backing by Fanatics (a global leader) and Momentum suggests it aims for significant scale. The operations are likely to be lean and agile in the initial growth phase, with a focus on building core teams.

Founded: Fanatics Momentum is a newly formed entity, leveraging Momentum's regional foundation and Fanatics' global expertise. This implies a startup-like culture within a larger corporate structure, emphasizing innovation, speed, and building from the ground up.

Team Structure:

• The Product Design team will likely be integrated within cross-functional product squads, working closely with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Data Analysts.

• As "Lead Product Designer," this role implies a leadership position within the design function, potentially mentoring junior designers or setting the overall design direction for the sports domain.

• Close collaboration with Trading, Marketing, and potentially Legal/Compliance teams is essential due to the nature of the regulated gaming industry. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is crucial, leveraging user analytics, A/B testing, and customer feedback to inform design.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, requiring iterative design and close partnership with engineering.

• A strong emphasis on user-centered design principles, ensuring that user needs and pain points are addressed effectively.

• The integration of AI into the design process suggests a forward-thinking approach to efficiency and exploration.

Company Website: https://www.mgh.ae/ (This is the Momentum UAE website, the parent company mentioned).

📝 Enhancement Note: The context provided about Fanatics Momentum highlights a unique blend of a fast-paced, entrepreneurial startup environment with the backing and scale of established global entities. The regulated nature of the gaming industry in the UAE is a critical factor, implying a need for robust compliance, security, and ethical design considerations.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Lead" Product Designer role, indicating a senior individual contributor with leadership responsibilities. It's a step beyond a Senior Product Designer, requiring not only strong craft but also the ability to define vision, mentor others, and influence product strategy. The role is pivotal in shaping the user experience for a new, high-stakes product in a burgeoning market.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Product Designer will likely report to a Head of Product Design, Director of Product, or a similar senior product leadership role. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads within their domain.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on revenue generation through the Sportsbook product by improving conversion rates, user retention, and overall engagement. The design of fan experiences also contributes to brand loyalty and the broader ecosystem's success. This position is critical for establishing a user-friendly and compelling platform that can compete in a regulated market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in sports wagering UX, fan engagement, or regulated digital product design.

• Leadership: Transition into a management role (e.g., Design Manager) as the team grows, or take on broader product design leadership across multiple domains.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in defining the long-term product vision and design strategy for Fanatics Momentum.

• Industry Expertise: Become a recognized expert in designing for regulated gaming and entertainment sectors in a high-growth market.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain deep understanding of trading operations, marketing strategies, and regulatory compliance within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title implies a strong focus on both individual contribution and team/domain leadership. The growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise, expanding leadership scope, and increasing strategic influence within a dynamic and high-potential industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is specified as "On-site," suggesting a physical office presence in Abu Dhabi. This environment is likely to foster close collaboration, spontaneous idea generation, and a strong team culture.

Office Location(s): Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This location offers a dynamic business environment and a growing tech and gaming sector. Specific office amenities and accessibility details would be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to facilitate interaction between Product, Design, Engineering, and other key departments.

• Access to modern design tools, software, and hardware necessary for high-fidelity prototyping and design.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with cross-functional stakeholders, including traders, researchers, and marketing specialists, to ensure holistic product development.

• A fast-paced, innovative environment where new ideas are encouraged and rapid iteration is common.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time roles, the dynamic nature of a new venture in a competitive market might involve project-driven flexibility. The on-site requirement means adherence to local working hours and norms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is a key differentiator for candidates seeking a highly collaborative and integrated team environment. This is common for roles where rapid iteration, hands-on prototyping, and close partnership with engineering and product teams are critical, especially in a fast-moving startup-like setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with the role requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 2-3 key case studies from your portfolio, detailing your process, decision-making, and impact. Be prepared to discuss your experience with complex/data-heavy interfaces and sports/gaming products.

• Skills Assessment: Technical interviews focusing on interaction design, systems thinking, prototyping, and potentially a design exercise or challenge.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineering Leads, and potentially Trading or Marketing stakeholders to assess collaboration style and domain understanding.

• Leadership/Cultural Fit Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to discuss your leadership approach, strategic thinking, and cultural alignment with Fanatics Momentum.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role, the design process, your key decisions, and most importantly, the measurable business and user outcomes. Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., increased conversion by X%, reduced task completion time by Y%).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals effectively – wireframes, prototypes, user flows, final UIs – to illustrate your process.

• Explain Your "Why": Be prepared to deeply justify your design decisions, referencing user research, data, and design principles.

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize projects related to sports, gaming, media, high-frequency transactions, or complex data interfaces.

• Address AI Usage: If you have experience using AI in your design workflow, be ready to discuss specific tools and how they benefited your process or outcomes.

• Tailor to the Role: Understand that Fanatics Momentum is building a regulated gaming operator in the UAE. Frame your experience and case studies in a way that demonstrates your understanding of this context (e.g., responsible gaming, user trust, complex data interpretation).

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a take-home or live design exercise that might involve simplifying a complex betting flow, designing a new fan engagement feature, or improving an existing user journey.

• Problem-Solving: Practice articulating your thought process for tackling ambiguous problems. Focus on breaking down complex issues into manageable parts and proposing user-centered solutions.

• Systems Thinking: Be ready to discuss how you approach designing for interconnected systems and ensuring consistency across multiple touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to evaluate not only design craft but also strategic thinking, leadership potential, and domain relevance. The portfolio review is a critical component, requiring candidates to demonstrate a deep understanding of the design process and its impact on business objectives, especially within the specialized context of sports wagering and fan engagement.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (highly likely given industry standard), Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).

• Prototyping Tools: InVision, Principle, ProtoPie (for advanced interactions).

• User Research & Testing: UserTesting.com, Maze, Lookback, Hotjar, Google Analytics.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, Tableau, Power BI.

• Tools for A/B testing and experimentation. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a designer's primary tool, familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey.

• Understanding of data infrastructure and how design interacts with data pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly list tools, the requirements for prototyping, research, systems thinking, and data-heavy interfaces point to a modern design stack. Figma is the de facto standard for collaborative design. Proficiency in analytics and experimentation tools is also expected for a data-driven Lead Designer. The mention of AI tools suggests familiarity with AI-powered design assistance or research tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs of sports fans and bettors.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: High standards for design execution, attention to detail, and creating polished, intuitive experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively across disciplines (Product, Engineering, Trading, Marketing) to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Speed: Embracing new technologies (like AI) and moving quickly to deliver value in a competitive market.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Using data and insights to inform design choices and measure impact.

• Integrity & Responsibility: Adhering to regulatory requirements and promoting responsible gaming practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Active engagement with Product Managers to define strategy and roadmaps, and with Engineers to ensure feasible and high-quality implementation.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback during design reviews and sprint cycles.

• Shared Ownership: A collective responsibility for the success of the product, where design is an integral part of the entire product development lifecycle.

• Transparent Communication: Clear and concise communication of design rationale, research findings, and potential risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to build a regulated gaming operator in the UAE suggests a culture that balances innovation with responsibility. Values likely include a strong focus on user experience, data-informed strategies, and cross-functional collaboration, all within a regulated framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity and Speed: Navigating the complexities of a new venture, defining product direction, and delivering at a rapid pace.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Designing for both engaging fan experiences and effective, compliant sports wagering.

• Data-Heavy & Real-time Complexity: Simplifying intricate betting markets, odds, and live event data for a broad user base.

• Regulatory Landscape: Designing within the specific regulations of the UAE's commercial gaming market, ensuring responsible gaming and compliance.

• Building Design Standards: Establishing and maintaining consistent design quality and patterns from the ground up.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Domain Expertise: Become a specialist in the unique UX challenges and opportunities within the regulated sports betting and fan engagement space.

• Leadership Development: Hone leadership skills by mentoring junior designers, driving design strategy, and influencing product roadmaps.

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Gain hands-on experience with AI tools and other emerging technologies in product design.

• Market Entry Strategy: Contribute to launching and scaling a major product in a new, high-growth market.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Develop a strong understanding of trading operations, marketing, and the regulatory environment of the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are significant but also offer substantial growth opportunities. The role provides a chance to shape a new product in a regulated, high-growth market, which is an attractive prospect for ambitious design leaders.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex, data-heavy product from concept to launch. How do you ensure user needs are met while balancing business objectives?" (Focus on your approach to discovery, research, iteration, and collaboration).

• "How would you approach designing a new feature for in-play betting that needs to be both intuitive and provide real-time updates?" (Demonstrate your understanding of real-time data, information hierarchy, and risk management in design).

• "Walk me through a time you had to simplify a complex user flow. What was the problem, your approach, and the outcome?" (Prepare a strong case study showcasing simplification and impact).

• "How do you leverage user research and data to inform your design decisions, especially in a new market like the UAE?" (Showcase your analytical skills and ability to adapt to different user bases). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Fanatics Momentum and the opportunity to build a regulated gaming operator in the UAE?" (Research the company's mission, the UAE gaming market, and articulate your enthusiasm).

• "How do you approach collaboration with Product Managers and Engineers, particularly when there are differing opinions?" (Highlight your communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills).

• "What are your thoughts on responsible gaming, and how would you incorporate that into product design?" (Demonstrate awareness of ethical considerations in the gaming industry).

• "How would you contribute to building a strong design culture within a new organization?" (Discuss your leadership style and passion for design excellence). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each case study, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Show Your Thinking: Explain why you made certain design decisions. Reference research, constraints, and trade-offs.

• Focus on Relevance: Highlight projects that best align with designing for sports, gaming, mobile, data-heavy interfaces, and real-time experiences.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about specific design choices, alternative solutions, and how you handled challenges.

• Highlight AI Use: If AI was part of your process, be ready to explain the tools used and the tangible benefits it brought to the project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design craft but also strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, leadership potential, and an understanding of the unique context of regulated gaming in the UAE. Having well-prepared case studies that clearly articulate impact and process is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in sports, gaming, complex consumer products, mobile design, and your 7+ years of experience. Ensure keywords from the job description are present.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best represent your experience in the areas mentioned above. Ensure each case study clearly outlines the problem, your process, your role, the solution, and the measurable impact. Explicitly mention any use of AI tools in your design workflow.

• Research Fanatics Momentum: Understand their mission, the UAE gaming market, and the regulatory environment. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your design decisions.

⚠️ 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.