Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: VML

Location: Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Customer Experience (CX) / Design Operations

Date Posted: June 18, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive visual excellence and craft high-fidelity, pixel-precise UI designs for a complex digital banking product suite, ensuring adherence to an enterprise-scale design system.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, and engineers to translate wireframes and product requirements into polished, production-ready visual designs.

• Actively contribute to the evolution and governance of a sophisticated design system, ensuring consistency and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Provide critical visual design QA throughout the development lifecycle, maintaining the integrity of the design intent.

• Manage individual workload effectively across multiple concurrent features within a fast-paced product development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically embedded within a client's (a leading Saudi bank) Customer Experience team, offering a unique blend of agency support and client-side immersion. The focus is on visual execution and design system stewardship within a regulated financial services context, requiring a deep understanding of enterprise-level design practices.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality, high-fidelity UI designs across a wide range of digital banking products and features, including mobile app screens and complex web-based interfaces.

• Apply and maintain rigorous visual consistency by working confidently within an existing enterprise-scale design system, ensuring correct component application.

• Translate wireframes, user flows, and product requirements into polished, production-ready visual designs that balance aesthetic quality with usability and technical feasibility.

• Collaborate closely with UX designers, product managers, and front-end engineers to ensure implemented designs meet the intended visual standards and functional requirements.

• Conduct thorough visual design QA at key stages of development, meticulously reviewing implemented features against design intent and communicating issues with precision and clarity.

• Manage personal workload across multiple concurrent features or product areas, prioritizing effectively to meet project deadlines in a fast-paced product environment.

• Participate actively in VML department meetings, contributing to the wider CX team's knowledge sharing, culture, and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on design system governance and meticulous visual execution, which is critical for large-scale financial institutions. The expectation is not just to use the design system, but to understand its architecture and contribute to its structured evolution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating a deep understanding of visual design principles and practical application is paramount.

Experience: 6+ years of dedicated experience in UI and visual design, with a proven track record in complex digital product environments.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional visual craft, typographic skill, and a refined eye for detail, hierarchy, and consistency.

• Proven experience working within and contributing to an enterprise-scale design system, understanding its governance and application.

• Strong command of Figma, including proficiency in component architecture, auto-layout, variables, and design token conventions.

• Ability to elevate wireframes and concepts into polished, production-ready visual designs with a keen sense of aesthetic quality.

• Experience collaborating directly with clients and client-side teams, demonstrating autonomy, professionalism, and a solutions-focused mindset.

• Proven ability to work independently in an embedded setting while remaining connected to and actively contributing to a wider agency team.

• Strong understanding of usability principles, Gestalt principles, visual hierarchy, cognitive load, and affordance.

• Native Arabic speaker, essential for client-facing communication and understanding regional nuances. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for complex, large-scale digital products, understanding the challenges of scaling design solutions.

• Experience in financial services, banking, or a similarly regulated, large-scale product environment.

• Familiarity with the complexity and compliance constraints inherent in banking products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for native Arabic proficiency is critical for this embedded role with a Saudi bank. The emphasis on design system experience goes beyond basic usage, requiring a candidate who can contribute to its architecture and governance.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 6+ years of UI and visual design work, emphasizing high-fidelity designs and pixel-perfect execution.

• Include specific case studies demonstrating experience with enterprise-scale design systems, detailing how you applied, maintained, and potentially contributed to their evolution.

• Present examples of complex digital products designed at scale, highlighting your approach to balancing consistency with new problem-solving.

• Feature projects that illustrate your mastery of Figma, including examples of component architecture, auto-layout, variables, and design token implementation.

• Demonstrate your ability to elevate wireframes and concepts into visually compelling and user-friendly interfaces.

• Provide evidence of successful collaboration with clients and cross-functional teams in a professional capacity. Process Documentation:

• Case studies should clearly articulate the design process from initial brief or wireframe to final visual design, including any user testing or feedback loops.

• Highlight your approach to visual design QA, detailing how you ensure implemented designs match the original intent.

• Document your workflow for applying and managing design system components, showing an understanding of version control and component lifecycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio must strongly emphasize the candidate's ability to work with and contribute to established, large-scale design systems, particularly within the financial services sector. Demonstrating a deep understanding of Figma’s advanced features is also crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior UI Designer title, 6+ years of experience, location in Riyadh, and the specialized nature of working within a financial institution, a competitive salary range is expected. Based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major Middle Eastern financial hubs, the estimated range for this position would be SAR 25,000 - SAR 40,000 per month (approximately $6,667 - $10,667 USD per month, or $80,000 - $128,000 USD annually).

Benefits:

• Mentorship from senior design leaders within VML and the client organization.

• Access to structured growth opportunities and development frameworks provided by VML.

• Opportunity to work on high-impact digital products for a leading Saudi bank.

• Exposure to enterprise-level design systems and best practices in a mature design environment.

• Collaborative team culture within both VML's CX department and the client's product teams.

• Potential for professional development and learning through agency-provided resources.

Working Hours: Standard professional working hours are expected, typically 9 AM to 6 PM KSA time. The role requires dedication to these hours, with no parallel working commitments. The role is hybrid, requiring significant time in the client's office in Riyadh each working day.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on role seniority, location (Riyadh), industry (Financial Services), and the embedded nature of the role, drawing from industry salary data for similar positions in the MENA region. Benefits are inferred from the "About the Team" and "Why This Role is Different" sections, highlighting VML's commitment to employee development and support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing and Advertising (VML), Financial Services (Client)

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a global network of over 26,000 employees across 55+ markets. The client is a leading Saudi bank, implying a large, established enterprise. The MENA CX department at VML numbers over 20 professionals.

Founded: VML was formed through the merger of VML and Y&R in 2020, with a history tracing back to 1992. WPP was founded in 1982. The client bank is a long-standing institution within Saudi Arabia.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UI Designer will be embedded within the client's Customer Experience (CX) team in Riyadh, working directly with their product and design teams.

• They will remain a full member of VML's 20+ strong MENA CX department, which spans multiple countries and includes visual designers, UX architects, researchers, and strategists.

• Reporting will likely involve a dual structure: day-to-day direction from client-side product/design leads, and ongoing professional development/support from VML agency leads. Methodology:

• VML: Focuses on creating connected brands by integrating brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, driven by data, creativity, and technology.

• Client (Bank): Operates in a regulated environment, emphasizing a product-oriented mindset, sophisticated design system usage, and a collaborative culture that respects design. Their methodology will likely involve agile product development, rigorous process governance, and a strong focus on user security and compliance.

Company Website: <u>https://www.vml.com/</u>

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual culture — VML's agency dynamism and the client bank's structured, regulated environment — is a key aspect. The role requires navigating both, leveraging VML's support while excelling within the client's established processes and design maturity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This role is positioned as a senior specialist in UI and visual design, expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and expertise, particularly in design system stewardship and high-fidelity execution.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to client-side leads within the bank's product and design teams for day-to-day task management and project direction. Concurrently, they will maintain a connection to VML's CX department leadership for career development, peer support, and agency integration.

Operations Impact: The Senior UI Designer will directly influence the visual quality and consistency of digital banking products used by millions of customers. Their work will impact user perception, trust, engagement, and potentially conversion rates through exceptional visual design and adherence to established design principles and systems.

Growth Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in enterprise design systems and their governance within a regulated industry.

• Develop advanced skills in Figma, potentially contributing to its architecture and best practices.

• Gain significant experience in digital banking product design, a high-demand specialization.

• Opportunities for mentorship and professional growth within VML's structured development frameworks.

• Potential to transition into lead design roles, design system lead positions, or specialized CX strategy roles within VML or the client over time.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior UI Designer," the embedded nature and client's design maturity suggest this role offers significant growth in specialized areas like design system leadership and complex product design within a regulated sector, rather than a typical agency progression path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid model, with significant time expected in the client's office in Riyadh. VML's approach involves teams in the office an average of four days a week.

Office Location(s): The primary work location will be the client's office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. VML's MENA CX department is spread across three countries, suggesting potential for virtual collaboration with colleagues in other locations.

Workspace Context:

• The client's office environment is described as mature, collaborative, and respectful of good design, providing optimal conditions for high-quality work.

• The role involves working closely with client-side product managers, UX designers, and engineers, fostering a highly integrated and collaborative daily workflow.

• Access to VML's agency resources and community for support, knowledge sharing, and professional development.

Work Schedule: Standard working hours (9 AM - 6 PM KSA time) are expected, with a commitment to dedicat4e these hours to the role, without parallel working commitments. The hybrid model necessitates in-office presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid" nature is specific: primarily office-based at the client site in Riyadh, with the understanding that VML also operates with a hybrid model and supports remote collaboration with its wider team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess experience, visual craft, and design system expertise.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, focusing on relevant case studies demonstrating UI design skills, design system experience, and work in complex product environments. Expect to discuss your process, decision-making, and impact.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: A practical exercise or discussion focusing on Figma proficiency, design system application, and problem-solving within a banking context may be included.

• Client Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders from the client bank (product managers, design leads) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and domain understanding.

• VML Interview: Discussion with VML's CX leadership to ensure alignment with agency values, team culture, and career development expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Design System Mastery: Dedicate sections of your portfolio to projects where you heavily utilized and contributed to an enterprise-scale design system. Detail your understanding of its architecture and governance.

• Highlight Visual Craft: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates exceptional typography, color theory, layout, and attention to detail. Use high-fidelity mockups and prototypes.

• Detail Complex Product Design: Include case studies of large-scale digital products, explaining the challenges and your solutions for maintaining consistency and usability.

• Demonstrate Figma Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your advanced Figma skills, including component architecture, auto-layout, variables, and design tokens.

• Client Collaboration: Provide examples of your collaborative process with clients and cross-functional teams, emphasizing professionalism and a solutions-oriented approach.

• Arabic Language: If applicable, mention any projects or contexts where your native Arabic skills were leveraged.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve applying an existing design system to a new feature or component, or critiquing and improving an existing UI based on usability principles.

• Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, linking them back to business goals and user needs.

• Understand the core principles of digital banking and the specific considerations for user experience in this sector (security, trust, regulatory compliance).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely involve multiple stages, including client-side and agency-side interviews, with a strong emphasis on portfolio review and practical design skills assessment, particularly related to design systems and Figma.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential. Proficiency required in component architecture, auto-layout, variables, and design token conventions. Candidates should be able to demonstrate advanced usage.

• Design Systems: Deep working knowledge of applying, maintaining, and contributing to enterprise-scale design systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for understanding user behavior and design impact would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the UI Designer role, but understanding how UI designs integrate with underlying systems and processes is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is the paramount tool for this role. The ability to work with and contribute to design systems is as critical as the tool proficiency itself.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Craft: A commitment to high-quality, pixel-perfect visual design and exceptional user experience.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within cross-functional teams, both within the client organization and the VML agency.

• Design System Stewardship: Upholding the integrity and consistency of the design system while contributing to its thoughtful evolution.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive, solutions-focused approach to design challenges.

• Client Focus: Delivering value and building strong partnerships with the client.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Integration: Working day-to-day alongside client product and design teams, fostering close collaboration and rapid iteration.

• Agency Connection: Maintaining active participation in VML's CX department for knowledge sharing, skill development, and maintaining a broader agency perspective.

• Cross-functional Partnership: Engaging closely with UX designers, product managers, and engineers to ensure seamless design implementation and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a hybrid collaboration style – deeply integrated with the client team while remaining connected to the VML agency culture and community for support and growth.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client & Agency Needs: Effectively managing responsibilities and maintaining engagement with both the embedded client team and the VML agency.

• Adhering to Strict Standards: Working within a regulated financial environment and a mature enterprise design system requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to established guidelines.

• Driving Evolution Responsibly: Contributing to the design system's evolution requires careful consideration of impact, governance, and stakeholder buy-in.

• Navigating Complex Products: Designing for a broad suite of digital banking products presents intricate user flows and functional requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Gain deep expertise in enterprise design system management and governance within a financial services context.

• Enhance skills in advanced Figma features and potentially contribute to design token strategy.

• Develop a specialized understanding of digital banking UX and UI best practices.

• Benefit from VML's structured mentorship programs and professional development frameworks.

• Opportunity to influence design direction and potentially lead design initiatives within the client's product roadmap.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary growth opportunity lies in specializing within a mature design system and a complex, regulated industry, offering a unique career path for a UI designer.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience working with enterprise-scale design systems. How do you ensure consistency and contribute to their evolution?" (Focus on governance, component architecture, and contribution process.)

• "Walk us through a complex UI design project from your portfolio. What were the challenges, and how did you use Figma to create the final design?" (Highlight your process, Figma skills, and problem-solving.)

• "How do you approach visual design QA for a large product suite? What is your process for identifying and communicating issues to developers?" (Emphasize attention to detail and clear communication.)

• "How do you balance the need for design consistency with the requirement to solve unique user problems within an established system?" (Demonstrate your understanding of system flexibility and structured innovation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to an embedded agency role, and specifically to working with a financial services client?" (Showcase your understanding of the hybrid model and interest in the industry.)

• "How do you stay connected and contribute to your agency team while working remotely/embedded?" (Address your ability to maintain agency engagement.)

• "How do you ensure your design decisions align with business objectives and user needs, particularly in a regulated environment?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and user-centricity.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key projects, dedicating specific sections to design system work and complex product design.

• Narrative: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process, the tools used (especially Figma), the solutions, and the outcomes/impact.

• Visuals: Use high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and clear examples of UI elements and components.

• Design System Focus: Explicitly highlight your understanding and contribution to design systems. Show examples of components, their usage, and any contributions you made to their structure or documentation.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects efficiently, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating deep knowledge of design systems, advanced Figma skills, and the ability to apply these within the context of complex digital banking products.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on VML's careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest UI design examples, with a significant emphasis on your experience with enterprise-scale design systems and Figma. Showcase at least one complex digital product design case study.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights 6+ years of relevant UI/visual design experience, specific mention of design system work, Figma proficiency, and any financial services or large-scale product experience. Use keywords like "UI Design," "Visual Design," "Figma," "Design Systems," "High-fidelity," and "Enterprise."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to design systems, and your experience with Figma. Prepare compelling answers for strategy questions related to consistency, collaboration, and problem-solving in complex product environments.

• Company Research: Understand VML's broader capabilities and its approach to CX. Research the general landscape of digital banking in Saudi Arabia to contextualize the client's environment.

⚠️ 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.

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