Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: VML

Location: Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Customer Experience (CX) / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-06-15

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the definition and shaping of digital banking products through user-centered design methodologies.

• Create intuitive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI designs that adhere to and extend a comprehensive design system.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders within a client's Riyadh office to deliver impactful customer experiences.

• Leverage a strong understanding of product thinking and visual craft to balance user needs with commercial and technical constraints.

• Contribute to a mature, design-forward client environment while remaining an integral part of the VML agency CX department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly described as an "embedded" position, meaning the candidate will work directly within the client's (a leading Saudi bank) team in Riyadh, while still being a part of VML's broader CX department. This hybrid model offers the benefits of direct client impact and agency support. The emphasis on a "mature from a design perspective" client suggests a high level of design maturity and established processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to product definition by clarifying requirements and translating them into effective experience solutions in collaboration with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders.

• Design intuitive user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI mockups, ensuring alignment with the client's established and comprehensive design system.

• Actively apply and confidently work within an existing design system, ensuring correct component usage, maintaining visual consistency, and effectively flagging genuine gaps to system owners.

• Translate complex business and user requirements into clear, well-reasoned design solutions that effectively balance user needs with commercial objectives and technical limitations.

• Engage in seamless collaboration with a cross-functional client team, including product managers, developers, and fellow designers, contributing meaningfully to sprint cycles and overall product planning.

• Clearly and confidently communicate design decisions to stakeholders, substantiating recommendations with robust evidence and clear rationale.

• Manage multiple product areas or features concurrently, demonstrating strong time management and prioritization skills within a fast-paced product environment.

• Actively participate in regular VML department meetings, contributing to the wider CX team's knowledge sharing, team culture, and professional development initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: deep engagement with client product development and active contribution to the VML agency's internal CX department. This implies a need for strong autonomy and client-facing skills, coupled with a collaborative spirit for internal team growth.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior UX Designer role.

Experience: 6+ years of progressive experience in UX and product design, with a strong emphasis on practical application within corporate or enterprise organizations.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in UX and Product Design, evidenced by a robust portfolio showcasing strong product thinking and high-quality visual design output.

• Proven experience working within a product environment within a corporate or enterprise organization, understanding product development lifecycles, team structures, and effective collaboration methods.

• Solid experience working with and applying comprehensive, established design systems, with a deep respect for system integrity and a clear process for flagging exceptions or suggesting improvements.

• Proficiency in user research methodologies, including qualitative methods, and the ability to leverage user insights to inform and drive design decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively at both the product definition (discovery) and execution (UI refinement) stages of the design process.

• Strong visual design skills, characterized by a keen eye for detail, effective hierarchy, and unwavering consistency across all design outputs.

• Proven experience in direct client collaboration, building professional relationships, and working autonomously with a high degree of professionalism.

• Ability to work independently in an embedded setting while maintaining strong connections and contributing actively to a wider agency team.

• Native Arabic speaker proficiency. Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the financial services, banking, or similarly regulated, large-scale product environments.

• Familiarity with design tools beyond Figma, such as Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite, or prototyping tools like InVision or ProtoPie.

• Experience contributing to or extending design systems.

• Understanding of front-end development principles (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to facilitate better collaboration with engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a native Arabic speaker is a critical qualification, reflecting the client's primary market. The emphasis on experience within established design systems and corporate environments suggests the need for a candidate who can navigate complex organizational structures and adhere to existing brand guidelines and component libraries.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a minimum of 6 years of UX and product design experience.

• Case studies that clearly articulate your product thinking process, from initial problem definition through to final design execution.

• Examples of high-fidelity UI design, showcasing attention to detail, visual hierarchy, and aesthetic appeal.

• Evidence of experience working within or extending established design systems, illustrating how you maintained consistency and leveraged existing components.

• Demonstrations of user research contributions, highlighting how insights were gathered and applied to inform design decisions.

• Projects that showcase your ability to translate complex business and user requirements into intuitive and effective user flows and wireframes.

• Examples of successful client collaboration and stakeholder management. Process Documentation:

• Showcase projects where you contributed to product definition, including discovery workshops, requirements clarification, and user journey mapping.

• Illustrate your process for designing and refining user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity UI mockups using tools like Figma.

• Provide examples of how you actively engaged with and utilized a design system, detailing your approach to component application and system extension/flagging.

• Detail your involvement in user research activities, including methods used, participant recruitment, data analysis, and synthesis of findings into actionable design recommendations.

• Present instances of collaborating with cross-functional teams (product managers, engineers) throughout the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role, as it needs to demonstrate both strategic product thinking and strong visual execution, particularly within the context of established design systems. Candidates should highlight projects that show their ability to integrate into an existing corporate structure while delivering high-quality design.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior UX Designer title, 6+ years of experience, and location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a competitive salary range can be estimated. Based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major Middle Eastern cities, a range of SAR 25,000 - SAR 40,000 per month (approximately USD 6,700 - USD 10,700 per month) could be expected. This range is highly dependent on the specific client bank's compensation structure, the candidate's exact experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance for employee and dependents.

• Paid annual leave and public holidays in accordance with Saudi labor law.

• Opportunities for professional development, including access to VML's development frameworks and mentorship programs.

• Contribution to a vibrant agency culture and community within the VML MENA CX department.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives, depending on client and agency policies.

• Access to VML's global network and learning resources.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday, with a 4-day in-office requirement. Forty hours per week is the benchmark.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on regional market data for senior design roles in Saudi Arabia and the specific context of an embedded role with a leading bank. Benefits are a combination of standard statutory benefits in Saudi Arabia and agency-specific offerings from VML.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing & Advertising (VML/WPP), embedded within Financial Services (Client Bank). VML operates across various sectors, but this role is specifically within the financial services domain for a prominent Saudi bank.

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a global network of over 26,000 employees across 55+ markets. The MENA CX department consists of over 20 specialists.

Founded: VML was formed through the merger of Wunderman and Y&R in 2020, with roots tracing back much further. WPP was founded in 1982. The client bank is a leading institution in Saudi Arabia, likely with a long-standing history.

Team Structure:

• Client-Side: The Senior UX Designer will be embedded within the client bank's product and design teams in Riyadh, working alongside product managers, engineers, and other designers.

• Agency-Side: The designer remains a full member of VML's MENA CX department (20+ specialists across visual designers, UX architects, researchers, strategists) spread across three countries. This offers access to department meetings, knowledge sharing, and agency-specific development structures.

Methodology:

• Client Environment: The client operates with a mature, product-oriented mindset, respecting good design and utilizing a well-established design system. Collaboration is key, with a focus on empirical evidence and rationale for design decisions.

• VML Approach: VML emphasizes human-first, innovative, and award-winning work. The CX department likely follows agile methodologies, focusing on user needs, data analysis, and iterative design processes.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The dual nature of the work environment (embedded client + agency department) is a key cultural aspect. The client's design maturity is a significant draw, suggesting a positive and enabling work environment for design professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level within the UX Design discipline. It requires a significant amount of experience (6+ years) and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, contributing to both strategic product definition and detailed execution. It signifies a level of mastery in core UX/Product Design skills and an ability to navigate complex corporate environments.

Reporting Structure:

• Direct Reporting: Primarily reports to client-side leadership within the bank's product/design team for day-to-day work and project delivery.

• Agency Connection: Remains connected to VML's CX department leadership for professional development, team meetings, and agency-related activities. This dual reporting structure is typical for embedded roles.

Operations Impact:

• The Senior UX Designer will have a direct and significant impact on the digital banking products used by millions of customers across Saudi Arabia.

• Their work will influence customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and the overall digital experience of the bank, directly contributing to business objectives and brand perception.

• By working within and extending the design system, they contribute to long-term efficiency, consistency, and scalability of the bank's digital offerings. Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in financial services UX, design system management, and user research within a large-scale enterprise context.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunity to mentor junior designers (both client-side and agency-side) and potentially lead design efforts on specific product features or initiatives.

• Agency Advancement: Progress within VML's CX department, potentially moving into Lead UX Designer, UX Manager, or specialized roles like UX Strategy.

• Client Relationship: Develop strong, long-term relationships with a major financial institution, opening doors for future opportunities.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain in-depth understanding of product management, engineering processes, and business strategy within a leading bank.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title, combined with the embedded nature and client's design maturity, suggests significant autonomy and potential for mentorship and leadership within both the client's team and VML's department. Growth is framed around both client impact and agency career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid role requiring 4 days per week in the client's office in Riyadh. The remaining day can be remote, as per VML's hybrid policy.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is the client bank's office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Workspace Context:

• Client Office: A professional corporate environment within a leading Saudi bank, characterized by a design-mature organization, established design system, and a collaborative team culture. Expect to work alongside product managers, engineers, and fellow designers. The environment is structured and respects the value of good design.

• VML Office/Remote: While embedded, the designer remains part of VML's MENA CX department, participating in virtual department meetings and contributing to team culture. This provides access to a wider network of design professionals and agency resources.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design and collaboration tools, likely including Figma, project management software, and communication platforms.

Work Schedule: Standard working hours (9 AM - 6 PM) are expected, with a commitment to being in the office four days a week. This schedule is designed for effective collaboration within the client's product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on a structured, professional environment within the client's Riyadh office, offering excellent conditions for design work. The hybrid model provides flexibility while ensuring consistent collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and portfolios. Candidates will be assessed for alignment with core requirements, particularly experience level, design system proficiency, and native Arabic language skills.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely present their portfolio, detailing 1-2 key projects that showcase product thinking, visual design, and experience within corporate/enterprise settings. This will be followed by in-depth questions about their design process, problem-solving approach, and experience with design systems.

• Client Stakeholder Interview: An interview with key stakeholders from the client bank (e.g., Product Managers, Design Leads) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of the financial services domain.

• VML Team Interview: A discussion with members of the VML CX department to evaluate cultural fit within the agency, potential for contribution to team knowledge sharing, and alignment with VML's values.

• Final Offer: Based on performance across all stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Hybrid Skills: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates both strong product thinking (problem definition, user research, strategy) and excellent visual design execution (UI, micro-interactions, visual consistency).

• Design System Focus: Dedicate a section or specific case study to your experience working with established design systems. Explain your approach to using, contributing to, or extending them.

• Corporate/Enterprise Context: Select projects that reflect experience in larger organizations, showcasing your ability to navigate complex processes and stakeholder landscapes.

• Client Collaboration: Include examples or descriptions of how you've worked with clients and cross-functional teams, emphasizing communication and relationship-building.

• Arabic Language Proficiency: While not directly showcased in a portfolio, be prepared to discuss how your native Arabic skills enhance your ability to understand local user needs and communicate effectively within the Saudi market.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity mockups effectively. Provide clear descriptions of the problem, your role, your process, and the outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design System Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you need to apply an existing design system to a new feature or identify gaps in it.

• Problem-Solving Exercise: You might be presented with a user problem or business challenge related to digital banking and asked to outline your approach to designing a solution.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale clearly and concisely, anticipating potential questions from product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes a thorough evaluation of both hard design skills and soft skills like collaboration, communication, and cultural fit within both the client and agency environments. The portfolio is paramount and must showcase specific types of experience relevant to this embedded role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: This will be the primary tool for wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and collaboration with the client's design and development teams. Proficiency is essential.

• Design Systems: Deep understanding and practical experience working with comprehensive, established design systems. This includes component libraries, style guides, and best practices for their application and extension.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary design tool, familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or client-specific tools) to understand user behavior and inform design iterations would be beneficial.

• Experience with tools for user feedback and research analysis. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core UX design tasks, but an understanding of how user experience impacts CRM and customer journeys within a banking context is valuable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Figma is explicitly mentioned as a core tool. The emphasis on design systems is so strong it's listed as a primary requirement alongside specific software. Candidates should highlight their experience with these tools and methodologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Human-Centricity: A core value in UX design, focusing on understanding and serving the needs of millions of banking customers.

• Collaboration: Essential for working effectively within both the client's cross-functional teams and VML's agency department. Open communication and shared problem-solving are key.

• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high-quality visual design and intuitive user experiences, backed by strong product thinking.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Using user insights and potentially analytics to inform design choices and demonstrate impact.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to refining processes, enhancing user experiences, and contributing to the development of both products and team capabilities.

• Respect for Systems & Consistency: Adherence to and thoughtful extension of the established design system to ensure brand consistency and efficient development.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded Integration: Working seamlessly within the client's product development team, adopting their workflows and communication channels.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, researchers, and stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding of user needs and business goals.

• Agency Community: Engaging with VML's CX department for knowledge sharing, peer feedback, mentorship, and culture building. This involves participating in meetings and contributing to internal discussions.

• Client Relationship Building: Developing strong, professional relationships with client-side counterparts, characterized by clear communication, reliability, and a proactive approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture is a blend of a professional, structured client environment and a creative, collaborative agency atmosphere. Key values revolve around user focus, quality, and effective teamwork, both internally and externally.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Client Structure: Adapting to the specific processes, hierarchies, and stakeholder dynamics of a large, established bank.

• Balancing Client & Agency Needs: Effectively managing time and focus between embedded client responsibilities and contributions to the VML agency team.

• Design System Adherence vs. Innovation: Finding the right balance between strictly adhering to an established design system and identifying opportunities for its thoughtful extension or improvement.

• Cultural Nuances: Understanding and respecting local cultural nuances in Saudi Arabia that may influence user behavior and design preferences.

• Pace of Change: Ensuring designs can be implemented efficiently within the bank's development cycles, which can sometimes be slower in large enterprises.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Financial Services Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the banking industry, its regulations, and specific user needs within the Saudi market.

• Design System Mastery: Become an expert in managing and evolving a large-scale enterprise design system.

• Product Strategy Influence: Gain experience shaping the strategic direction of digital products within a major financial institution.

• Mentorship: Benefit from mentorship within VML's experienced CX department and potentially mentor junior designers.

• Agency Network: Access to VML's global network of experts, ongoing training programs, and development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are primarily related to the unique "embedded" nature of the role and working within a large, regulated industry. Growth opportunities are strongly tied to deepening domain expertise and gaining strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you successfully contributed to the definition of a new digital product. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on product thinking, requirements clarification, and collaboration.)

• "How do you approach working with an established design system? Walk us through a project where you had to use and potentially extend a system." (Highlight respect for consistency, practical application, and problem-solving for gaps.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business objectives and technical constraints in your design solutions?" (Demonstrate strategic thinking and compromise.)

• "Describe your experience collaborating with product managers and engineers. How do you ensure smooth handoffs and effective communication?" (Showcase teamwork and understanding of development lifecycles.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the financial services sector, specifically within a Saudi bank?" (Show research and genuine interest.)

• "How would you describe your ideal client relationship, particularly in an embedded role?" (Emphasize professionalism, autonomy, and partnership.)

• "How do you plan to stay connected and contribute to VML's CX department while embedded with a client?" (Demonstrate commitment to both roles.)

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of a strong design system in enterprise environments?" (Align with the role's core requirements.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type or by highlighting key skills (e.g., Product Definition, UI Design, Design System Application).

• Storytelling: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Visuals: Use high-quality visuals – wireframes, user flows, interactive prototypes, and final UI screens. Keep text concise and let your visuals speak.

• Design System Emphasis: Explicitly call out projects where you worked with design systems. Show examples of components you used and explain your thinking.

• Client Context: If possible, select projects that reflect experience in similar enterprise or regulated environments.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Focus on 1-2 in-depth case studies rather than broadly touching on many. Be prepared to answer questions about other projects in your portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating a mature understanding of the design process, strong execution skills, and the ability to thrive in a dual client/agency environment. Highlighting specific examples related to design systems and enterprise-level projects will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided VML careers link.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your product thinking, visual design skills, and experience with established design systems within corporate or enterprise settings. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link to your personal website or a dedicated platform).

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 6+ years of relevant experience, focusing on achievements in UX design, product design, and UI design. Use keywords from the job description such as "design system," "user research," "wireframing," "Figma," and "stakeholder management."

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your contributions to product definition, your experience with design systems, and your ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional and embedded team environments. Be ready to discuss your native Arabic language skills and their relevance.

• Research VML & the Client: Understand VML's agency culture, its work in the MENA region, and WPP's broader mission. Research the client bank (if publicly known) to understand its market position and potential digital offerings. This demonstrates your commitment and understanding of the role's context.

⚠️ 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.