Manager - UX/UI Designer(Open Finance) 6 Months Contract Onsite in UAE -

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager - UX/UI Designer (Open Finance)

Company: Robusta

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Contract (6 Months)

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Development

Date Posted: 2026-08-11

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design process for innovative Open Finance digital products.

• Develop intuitive, seamless, and user-centered experiences across web and mobile platforms, ensuring high product adoption.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, developers, and cross-functional teams to align design with user needs and business objectives.

• Drive the evolution of UX strategy and design processes within an Agile framework.

• Manage design projects from concept to delivery, ensuring quality standards and brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 6-month contract position focused on the specialized domain of Open Finance, requiring a blend of strategic UX leadership and hands-on UI design. The emphasis on "Open Finance" suggests a need for understanding complex financial data, user flows, and regulatory considerations within the design process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and define the information architecture, interaction flows, and user journeys for digital products, including websites and mobile applications.

• Create comprehensive wireframes, user flows, sitemaps, and low-fidelity prototypes to articulate design concepts and ensure intuitive navigation.

• Develop high-fidelity mockups and interactive prototypes using industry-standard tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, adhering to established design systems.

• Conduct and support usability testing, user interviews, and other research activities to gather insights and validate design decisions.

• Analyze user feedback and research findings to inform iterative design improvements and product optimizations.

• Collaborate effectively with product managers and development teams to ensure design feasibility, technical implementation, and consistent execution.

• Present design concepts, research insights, and usability findings clearly and persuasively to stakeholders and executive leadership.

• Advocate for user needs and represent the user perspective throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

• Contribute to the strategic development and maintenance of the UX vision and roadmap for Open Finance products.

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve design processes, workflows, and cross-functional collaboration practices, incorporating Agile or Lean methodologies.

• Ensure all digital designs maintain brand consistency and adhere to visual identity guidelines across all touchpoints.

• Support the implementation of responsive design principles and ensure adherence to digital accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).

• Manage design project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards from initiation to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a candidate who can not only execute design tasks but also manage projects and contribute to strategic thinking within the Open Finance domain. The mention of "Agile or Lean methodologies" indicates a fast-paced, iterative design environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically preferred for roles of this level. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 6–8 years of progressive experience in UX/UI design, with a demonstrable track record of designing successful web and mobile applications. Experience within the financial services sector, particularly with Open Finance initiatives, is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles and methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience in creating wireframes, user flows, sitemaps, and interactive prototypes.

• Strong proficiency with leading design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Miro, or Adobe XD.

• Experience working collaboratively within cross-functional teams, particularly in Agile development environments.

• Solid understanding of user-centered design principles and design thinking processes.

• Ability to translate user research findings and data into actionable design solutions.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience in managing design projects from concept to delivery, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Open Finance sector or with digital financial products.

• Familiarity with creating and maintaining design systems.

• Understanding of responsive design principles and implementation across various devices.

• Knowledge of digital accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and best practices.

• Basic understanding of HTML/CSS and front-end development frameworks to facilitate collaboration with engineering teams.

• Experience with user research methodologies, including usability testing and user interviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: The preferred skills, particularly "Open Finance" experience and knowledge of HTML/CSS, suggest that the company values candidates who can hit the ground running with domain-specific knowledge and possess a foundational understanding of technical implementation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 6-8 years of UX/UI design work, with a strong emphasis on web and mobile applications.

• Specific case studies demonstrating end-to-end design processes, from initial research and ideation to final UI implementation and iteration.

• Examples of wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for complex digital products.

• Evidence of user-centered design application, including how user research informed design decisions and led to improved usability.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in at least one of the primary design tools (Figma, Sketch, Miro, Adobe XD).

• If available, include examples of work within the financial services industry or related to Open Finance initiatives, highlighting understanding of complex data visualization and user needs in this domain. Process Documentation:

• Documentation of your design process, detailing how you approach problem-solving, user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Examples of how you have contributed to or managed design systems and style guides to ensure consistency.

• Evidence of your ability to collaborate effectively with product managers and developers, including how you hand off designs and provide support during implementation.

• Description of how you have applied Agile or Lean methodologies to iterate on designs and improve outcomes based on feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio demonstrating a structured approach to design challenges, user advocacy, and a clear understanding of the product lifecycle is crucial. The emphasis on "Open Finance" suggests that case studies involving data-rich interfaces or complex user journeys will be highly regarded.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on market research for experienced UX/UI Design Managers in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for a 6-month contract role, the estimated salary range is AED 25,000 - AED 40,000 per month. This range accounts for the contract nature of the position, the specialized Open Finance domain, and the required experience level. The final offer will depend on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and negotiation.

Benefits: As this is a 6-month contract position, benefits typically differ from full-time employment. Common provisions for contract roles of this nature in the UAE may include:

• Competitive contract rate (as outlined in salary range).

• Potential for contract extension based on performance and business needs.

• Visa sponsorship and assistance (if applicable for international candidates).

• Access to company facilities and resources.

• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge Open Finance projects.

Working Hours: Standard working hours in Abu Dhabi are typically 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, totaling approximately 40 hours per week. Specific daily schedules may be flexible within business operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimations are based on publicly available data for similar contract roles in Abu Dhabi, considering the specialist nature of Open Finance UX/UI design and the managerial level. Benefits are generalized for contract positions in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Robusta operates within the Technology and Finance sectors, likely focusing on FinTech solutions and digital transformation, particularly within the Open Finance space as indicated by the job title. This suggests a dynamic, innovative environment at the intersection of financial services and technology.

Company Size: While specific details are not provided, Robusta's presence on platforms like Workable suggests it is an established organization, likely ranging from a medium-sized enterprise to a larger corporation with dedicated teams for product development and design.

Founded: Information on the founding date is not available, but the company's focus on Open Finance and digital products implies a forward-thinking and modern operational approach.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Design team is likely part of a larger Product Development or Technology department.

• The Manager will report to a Head of Product, Director of Design, or a similar senior leadership role.

• This role requires close collaboration with Product Managers, UX Researchers, UI Developers, and potentially business analysts or domain experts in Open Finance.

• The team structure will likely be matrixed, with designers working on specific product squads or initiatives. Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to be Agile and user-centered, with a strong emphasis on iterative development and continuous feedback loops.

• Data analysis and user insights will be critical drivers for design decisions, supported by various research and testing methodologies.

• Workflow optimization and process improvement are key, especially given the contract nature and potential for fast-paced project delivery.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "Open Finance" and its presence on a professional job platform suggest a commitment to innovation and talent acquisition in specialized tech fields. The culture is likely fast-paced and collaborative, valuing efficiency and user-centricity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is at a Managerial level within the UX/UI Design discipline. It signifies a senior individual contributor or team lead role responsible for overseeing design strategy, execution, and process for specific product lines. The "Manager" title implies leadership in design thinking, project management, and cross-functional team coordination.

Reporting Structure: The Manager - UX/UI Designer will likely report to a Director of Product, Head of Design, or a senior executive overseeing digital product strategy. They will collaborate closely with Product Managers and Development Leads, acting as the primary design authority for their assigned projects.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the usability, adoption, and overall success of Open Finance digital products. Effective UX/UI design is critical for user engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, the business objectives of Robusta in the competitive FinTech landscape. The design choices made will influence user trust and accessibility within financial services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Contract Extension & Full-Time Conversion: Successful performance on this 6-month contract could lead to an extension or conversion to a full-time role, offering long-term career stability.

• Leadership in Specialized Domains: Opportunity to deepen expertise in Open Finance UX, a rapidly growing and specialized field, positioning the candidate as a subject matter expert.

• Portfolio Expansion: The project scope offers a chance to add significant, high-impact work to the candidate's portfolio, showcasing leadership and domain-specific design achievements.

• Process Improvement Contribution: The role encourages active contribution to refining design processes and methodologies, allowing for leadership in operational excellence within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a contract role, the "Manager" title and the specialized "Open Finance" domain offer significant opportunities for career advancement and expertise development, particularly for candidates looking to specialize in FinTech UX.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The work environment will likely be a professional office setting that fosters collaboration and innovation, typical of technology and finance companies.

Office Location(s): Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Specific details regarding office amenities, accessibility, and proximity to public transport would typically be available upon further inquiry or during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be equipped with modern design tools and technology, including high-performance workstations and access to necessary software licenses (Figma, Sketch, etc.).

• Opportunities for direct interaction and collaboration with product managers, developers, and other designers will be abundant, facilitating a dynamic and integrated workflow.

• The environment will likely encourage open communication and idea sharing, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collective problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule will be approximately 40 hours per week, typically over 5 days. While on-site, there might be some flexibility in daily start and end times, subject to team and project needs. The focus will be on achieving project deliverables within the contract timeframe.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Abu Dhabi suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration, essential for complex design discussions and team synergy in a specialized field like Open Finance.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The hiring process for this contract role will likely involve several stages designed to assess both design capabilities and suitability for the specific project needs:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to ensure alignment with the core requirements (experience, tools, domain interest).

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A detailed discussion of your portfolio, focusing on specific case studies, your design process, problem-solving approaches, and experience with relevant tools and methodologies. Expect to present and walk through your work.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager to assess your leadership potential, collaboration style, understanding of the Open Finance domain, and fit within the team's working dynamics.

• Stakeholder Interview (Potentially): You may meet with key stakeholders, such as Product Managers or Development Leads, to gauge cross-functional collaboration compatibility.

• Final Offer: Based on the successful completion of all interview stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your UX/UI design expertise, especially those involving complex applications, user journeys, or data visualization. If you have Open Finance or FinTech experience, prioritize those case studies.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your role and responsibilities, the design process you followed (research, ideation, prototyping, testing), the tools you used, the challenges you faced, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: While polished UI is important, focus on demonstrating your thought process, decision-making rationale, and how you incorporated user feedback. Include wireframes, user flows, and prototypes to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Open Finance Relevance: If possible, emphasize any projects that touch upon financial data, security, user trust, or complex workflows, as these are critical in Open Finance.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you would approach specific challenges presented in the role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Design Challenges: Be prepared for potential design exercises or whiteboard challenges that test your problem-solving skills, ability to think on your feet, and apply design principles to new scenarios.

• Understand Open Finance Context: Research current trends, challenges, and user needs within the Open Finance landscape. Consider how UX/UI design can address these specific issues.

• Articulate Your Process: Practice explaining your design process concisely and effectively, focusing on how you drive user-centricity and achieve business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a contract role often emphasizes a quick assessment of skills and fit. A strong, relevant portfolio and the ability to clearly articulate your design process and impact are paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expected to be a primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and UI design, often used for collaborative design sessions and handoff.

• Sketch: A strong alternative or complementary tool for UI design, particularly in macOS environments.

• Miro: Crucial for collaborative ideation, user journey mapping, wireframing, and brainstorming sessions.

• Adobe XD: Another widely used tool for UI/UX design and prototyping.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly a designer's tool, familiarity with how analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude) are used to track user behavior and inform design decisions is beneficial.

• Understanding of how to interpret data to identify areas for UX improvement. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the UX/UI designer role, but understanding how design impacts user acquisition and retention within CRM systems might be a plus.

• Familiarity with project management tools like Jira or Asana for tracking design tasks and sprints. Other Relevant Tools/Concepts:

• Design Systems: Experience in creating, maintaining, or working within established design systems is highly valued for ensuring brand consistency and efficient design.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond the primary ones, any experience with tools for creating interactive prototypes will be beneficial.

• User Research Tools: Familiarity with tools used for usability testing, surveys, or remote user interviews.

• Basic HTML/CSS: A plus for understanding front-end implementation constraints and possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma or Sketch, coupled with collaborative tools like Miro, is essential. The "basic knowledge of HTML/CSS" being a plus indicates the company values designers who can bridge the gap with development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User-Centricity: A core value, driving all design decisions to meet user needs and enhance their experience with Open Finance products.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork, cross-functional communication, and shared ownership of product success.

• Innovation: Encouragement of creative problem-solving and exploration of new design approaches to differentiate digital offerings.

• Efficiency: A focus on streamlined design processes, timely delivery, and leveraging tools to maximize productivity, especially critical for a contract role.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Valuing insights from user research and analytics to inform design strategies and measure impact.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers work closely with Product Managers and Developers in Agile squads, fostering a highly collaborative and iterative environment.

• Open Communication: Expect regular stand-ups, design reviews, and feedback sessions to ensure alignment and continuous improvement.

• Proactive Engagement: Encouragement to proactively engage with stakeholders, share insights, and contribute to product strategy discussions.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes sharing best practices, design patterns, and learnings across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a fast-paced, iterative approach common in tech startups and FinTech environments, with a strong focus on delivering user-validated designs efficiently.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Open Finance Complexity: Designing intuitive interfaces for complex financial data and transactions while adhering to regulatory requirements can be challenging.

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating user desires with technical constraints and business objectives requires strong negotiation and strategic thinking.

• Rapid Iteration in Agile Environment: Adapting quickly to changing requirements and feedback loops within a fast-paced Agile sprint cycle.

• Remote Collaboration (if applicable): While this role is on-site, managing effective communication and design handoffs across dispersed teams can be a challenge in some organizations.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and consensus from diverse stakeholders with potentially differing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Open Finance Expertise: Gain specialized knowledge in the rapidly evolving Open Finance sector, becoming a go-to expert in UX/UI for this domain.

• Master Advanced Design Tools: Further hone skills in leading design software and explore new tools and plugins that enhance productivity and creativity.

• Contribute to Design Systems: Play a key role in building or refining design systems, which is a valuable skill for future roles.

• Leadership Experience: Gain experience managing design projects and influencing product strategy, building a foundation for future leadership opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Work closely with product and engineering teams, gaining a broader understanding of the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to specialized FinTech roles, offering significant learning opportunities for those who embrace them. The growth potential lies in developing domain expertise and leadership skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a financial application, focusing on user security and trust." (Focus on user research, iterative design, and risk mitigation.)

• "How would you approach designing a complex data dashboard for users who may not have a deep technical background in finance?" (Highlight simplifying complex information, clear visualization, and progressive disclosure.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance competing stakeholder requirements with user needs. What was your approach and outcome?" (Emphasize communication, negotiation, and user advocacy.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI trends, particularly within the FinTech or Open Finance space?" (Showcase continuous learning and industry awareness.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about working in the Open Finance sector?" (Demonstrate genuine curiosity and understanding of the domain's impact.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with developers and product managers in an Agile environment?" (Provide examples of your proactive communication and teamwork.)

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a design decision that was initially unpopular. How did you handle it?" (Focus on data-driven arguments and user-centric reasoning.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a clear problem-solution-impact structure. Start with the business/user problem, detail your design process and solutions, and conclude with the measurable outcomes or learnings.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics (e.g., increase in conversion rates, decrease in support tickets, improvement in task completion time) to demonstrate the value of your design work.

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, especially developers and product managers, to bring your designs to life.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the rationale behind them, and any trade-offs you made. Be prepared to defend your decisions with user-centric and data-driven reasoning.

• Showcase Tool Proficiency: Briefly mention the tools used for each project, especially if they align with the required stack (Figma, Sketch, Miro).

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design, the ability to translate complex requirements into intuitive interfaces, and effective collaboration skills, all within the context of financial technology.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this contract UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating experience with web and mobile applications, ideally within financial services or complex data-driven products. Emphasize case studies that showcase your full design process and impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your 6-8 years of experience, proficiency in design tools (Figma, Sketch, Miro), and any experience relevant to Open Finance or Agile environments. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, your experience with user research and prototyping, and how you collaborate within cross-functional teams. Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely.

• Research Robusta & Open Finance: Familiarize yourself with Robusta's work (if possible) and gain a deeper understanding of the Open Finance landscape, its challenges, and user needs. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Robusta during the application and interview process.