Senior UX Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher

Company: ADIB

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: 2026-08-20

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead customer research and testing activities for digital banking products and services, ensuring a user-centric approach to design and development.

• Develop and execute comprehensive research plans, aligning with project goals, timelines, and stakeholder requirements to drive actionable insights.

• Conduct a variety of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and field studies, to gather robust data.

• Analyze complex research data to identify user behaviors, needs, motivations, and pain points, translating findings into clear user personas and journey maps.

• Act as a user advocate, ensuring that the voice of the customer is central to all design and product development decisions, fostering a data-driven design mentality.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within a financial institution (ADIB), implying a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, data security, and the unique needs of banking customers. The "digital banking products and services" focus suggests a need for research expertise in financial technology (FinTech) and online/mobile banking experiences.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic research plans that align with the product roadmap and business objectives for digital banking initiatives.

• Design and conduct comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research studies, including user interviews, surveys, usability testing, focus groups, and contextual inquiries.

• Analyze and synthesize research data from diverse sources to identify key user insights, patterns, and opportunities for product improvement.

• Create compelling user personas, detailed journey maps, and empathy maps to effectively communicate user needs and mental models to cross-functional teams.

• Collaborate closely with UX/UI designers, product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to translate research findings into actionable design recommendations and product features.

• Present research insights, findings, and strategic recommendations clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, at all organizational levels.

• Champion user-centered design principles and advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring their needs are prioritized.

• Measure the effectiveness of UX improvements through A/B testing and other benchmarking methodologies, contributing to continuous user experience enhancement.

• Stay abreast of emerging UX research trends, tools, and best practices, particularly within the FinTech and digital banking sectors.

• Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, data privacy regulations, and confidentiality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for strategic thinking and execution, moving beyond just data collection to actively influencing product strategy. The emphasis on presenting to "stakeholders at all levels" and "senior leadership" indicates a requirement for strong executive communication and influence skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Design Research, or a related field. Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research, with a proven track record of delivering impactful research for consumer-focused digital products.

• Demonstrated experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Experience working within dynamic and agile product development environments, ideally within the financial services or FinTech industry. Required Skills:

• User Research Expertise: Mastery of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, card sorting, field studies, diary studies).

• Data Analysis & Synthesis: Strong analytical skills to derive actionable insights from complex datasets and user feedback.

• Persona & Journey Mapping: Proven ability to create detailed user personas and comprehensive journey maps that inform design strategy.

• Usability Testing: Proficiency in designing and conducting effective usability tests, identifying pain points, and recommending solutions.

• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English; ability to articulate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams (design, product, engineering) and build strong working relationships.

• Problem-Solving: Strong critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities to address complex user challenges.

• User Advocacy: A deep-seated user-focused mentality and the ability to champion user needs effectively.

• Time Management & Prioritization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Arabic Language Proficiency: Fluency or strong working knowledge of Arabic is a plus, given the location and potential customer base.

• FinTech/Banking Domain Knowledge: Familiarity with the digital banking landscape, financial products, and the specific needs of banking customers.

• A/B Testing & Experimentation: Experience designing and analyzing A/B tests and other controlled experiments to optimize user experiences.

• Remote Research Tools: Proficiency with remote usability testing platforms and survey tools.

• Agile/Scrum Experience: Experience working within Agile development frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "consumer-focused product companies" and "extraordinary user experiences" suggests that candidates with experience in high-growth tech companies or established consumer brands known for their UX will be highly valued. The mention of Arabic as a plus indicates potential interaction with local customers and stakeholders.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of UX research projects, demonstrating a clear process from research planning to actionable insights and impact.

• Case studies that detail the research problem, methodology employed, key findings, and the tangible impact of the research on product design and business outcomes.

• Examples of user personas, journey maps, and other research artifacts that illustrate a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors.

• Evidence of collaboration with design and product teams, highlighting how research findings were integrated into the development process.

• Demonstrations of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including how insights were derived and presented. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, organized, and reproducible manner.

• Experience in creating frameworks for ongoing user feedback collection and analysis within a product lifecycle.

• Documentation of how research insights have directly influenced product iterations, feature development, or strategic decisions.

• Examples of how research processes have been adapted or improved over time to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Researcher role, the portfolio should not just present finished work but also the thought process, the challenges overcome, and the measurable impact. Emphasis should be placed on how the research directly contributed to business goals, such as increased customer engagement, conversion rates, or reduced support costs within the digital banking context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Researchers in Abu Dhabi, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is AED 200,000 - AED 350,000. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employee and dependents.

• Competitive annual leave and public holiday allowance.

• Retirement savings plan or end-of-service benefits as per UAE labor law.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Access to employee banking services and benefits.

• Opportunities for career advancement within ADIB's digital transformation initiatives. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, from Sunday to Thursday.

• Flexibility may be available depending on project needs and team collaboration, but the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from reputable compensation data providers for similar roles in the UAE market, considering the experience level and industry. Benefits are typical for financial institutions in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Banking and Financial Services. ADIB is a leading Islamic bank, focused on innovation and digital transformation to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

Company Size: ADIB is a large, established financial institution, indicating a structured environment with opportunities for significant impact and cross-functional collaboration. This size suggests access to resources and a broad reach within the market.

Founded: ADIB was founded in 1997, bringing decades of experience in the financial sector. This history signifies stability and a deep understanding of the banking industry, now being augmented by a strong push towards digital innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Senior UX Researcher will likely be part of a growing Digital/Innovation department, reporting into a Head of UX, Design Lead, or Product Management leadership.

• This role will involve close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of UX/UI designers, product managers, business analysts, engineers, and potentially data scientists.

• The team structure is designed to foster agile development and rapid iteration, with a strong emphasis on user-centric design principles driving product strategy. Methodology:

• ADIB is committed to a data-driven approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative insights into its design and product development processes.

• Agile methodologies are likely employed, requiring researchers to be adaptable and responsive to evolving project needs and stakeholder feedback.

• A focus on continuous improvement and innovation, particularly in digital banking, means research will be integral to identifying new opportunities and optimizing existing services.

Company Website: https://www.adib.ae/

📝 Enhancement Note: Working for a large Islamic bank means understanding specific ethical considerations and customer segments. The company's emphasis on digital transformation suggests an exciting, forward-thinking environment where UX research plays a crucial role in shaping the future of their services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, requiring independent leadership in research initiatives, mentorship of junior researchers (if applicable), and significant influence on product strategy. The role demands a strategic perspective, not just tactical execution.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Researcher will likely report to a UX Manager, Head of UX, or a senior Product leader within the digital banking division. This position will involve frequent interaction with product owners, designers, and development teams.

Operations Impact: The Senior UX Researcher's impact is critical to ADIB's digital transformation goals. By ensuring that digital banking products are intuitive, effective, and meet customer needs, this role directly influences customer satisfaction, adoption rates, operational efficiency, and ultimately, the bank's competitive positioning in the digital marketplace.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead research for major digital initiatives, mentor junior researchers, and contribute to the strategic direction of the UX function.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX research relevant to FinTech, such as behavioral economics in finance, advanced quantitative analysis, or generative AI in user research.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to move into Product Management, Design Strategy, or other roles within the digital transformation team by leveraging deep customer understanding.

• Industry Recognition: Contributing to innovative digital banking solutions could lead to industry recognition and speaking opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a need for strategic thinking and the ability to mentor. The growth opportunities are geared towards building leadership within the UX domain and potentially expanding into broader product strategy roles within ADIB's digital arm.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Abu Dhabi, within ADIB's corporate offices. This suggests a professional, corporate environment that balances structured work with collaborative spaces.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Abu Dhabi, specifically in Al Bateen. This location is central and accessible within the emirate.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, with dedicated areas for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and individual focused work.

• Access to necessary UX research tools, software, and technology will be provided to facilitate efficient data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Opportunities for informal and formal interactions with colleagues across design, product, and engineering teams will be readily available, fostering a strong sense of team.

Work Schedule: The role is on-site, requiring the candidate to be present in the Abu Dhabi office. Standard working hours are expected, with potential for some flexibility based on project demands, but the core of the work will be conducted within the office environment to facilitate collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and direct interaction with stakeholders within the ADIB corporate setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (e.g., Head of UX) to delve deeper into experience, research philosophy, and specific project examples.

• Portfolio Presentation: A crucial stage where candidates present 2-3 key UX research case studies from their portfolio, demonstrating their process, insights, and impact. This will likely involve a presentation to the hiring manager and potentially other key team members.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with cross-functional team members (e.g., UX Designers, Product Managers, Engineers) to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to integrate research into product development.

• Final Interview: Potentially a meeting with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Digital) to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Impact: Focus on case studies where your research led to measurable improvements in user experience, product metrics, or business outcomes. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Detail Your Process: Clearly articulate your research methodology, why you chose specific methods, and how you adapted your approach based on project constraints or findings.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you partnered with designers, product managers, and engineers. Show examples of how you translated research into actionable design recommendations.

• User-Centricity: Ensure your portfolio consistently emphasizes your commitment to understanding and advocating for the user.

• Tailor to ADIB: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to highlight relevant experience in digital products, customer insights, or problem-solving within a corporate or financial context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem relevant to digital banking (e.g., improving a mobile payment feature, understanding user needs for a new investment product).

• Practice articulating your research process and findings concisely and persuasively.

• Think about how you would handle conflicting stakeholder opinions or pushback on research findings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio presentation is a critical gate. Candidates should prepare to walk through their projects in detail, emphasizing their strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and the tangible impact of their research on product success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for remote usability testing, participant recruitment, and survey deployment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, SurveyMonkey, Typeform).

• Analytics & Data Analysis: Proficiency in tools for analyzing quantitative data, such as Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar web/app analytics platforms. Familiarity with statistical analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Python) may be beneficial.

• Prototyping & Design Tools (for review): Understanding of tools used by designers, such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD, to effectively review prototypes and provide feedback.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Miro, or similar platforms for project management, documentation, and collaborative whiteboarding.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience in interpreting data from digital analytics platforms to inform research questions and validate findings.

• Ability to create clear and compelling reports and presentations using tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or specialized data visualization software. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how customer data is managed within a CRM system (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) can be beneficial for context.

• Familiarity with how research insights can feed into customer journey automation or personalization efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on tools that facilitate research execution, data analysis, and effective communication of findings. While direct use of CRM may not be required, understanding its role in customer data management is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and prioritizing the needs, behaviors, and experiences of ADIB's customers.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on robust research and analytics to inform strategy, design choices, and product development.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A proactive approach to working with diverse teams, fostering open communication and shared ownership of outcomes.

• Innovation & Agility: A willingness to embrace new methodologies, adapt to changing market dynamics, and drive continuous improvement in digital offerings.

• Integrity & Ethics: Upholding the highest standards of ethical research practices, data privacy, and professional conduct, aligned with Islamic banking principles.

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires a highly collaborative style, working closely with UX/UI designers, product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders.

• Open communication, active listening, and the ability to provide constructive feedback are key.

• A proactive approach to sharing research insights and facilitating discussions to ensure user needs are understood and integrated into product decisions.

• Emphasis on building consensus and driving alignment across different functional areas to achieve common goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values reflect a blend of modern UX best practices with the specific context of a large Islamic financial institution, emphasizing integrity, customer focus, and data-driven innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Effectively managing and synthesizing input from various stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Research in a Regulated Industry: Navigating the complexities and constraints of the banking sector, including compliance and security requirements, while still advocating for user experience.

• Rapid Digital Evolution: Keeping pace with the fast-changing landscape of digital banking and FinTech, requiring continuous learning and adaptation of research methods.

• Demonstrating ROI: Clearly articulating and quantifying the business impact of UX research initiatives to secure continued investment and support.

• Driving Behavioral Change: Influencing product teams and organizational culture to consistently prioritize user-centered design based on research findings.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Research Techniques: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research methodologies, such as AI-driven insights, advanced statistical modeling, or ethnographic studies in financial contexts.

• FinTech Specialization: Deepen expertise in UX research specifically for financial services, understanding user needs around payments, investments, loans, and digital banking platforms.

• Leadership Training: Development programs focused on strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and leading research initiatives.

• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Support for attending relevant UX and FinTech conferences and pursuing professional certifications.

• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders within ADIB's digital and product teams for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a large, regulated industry undergoing digital transformation. The growth opportunities are designed to foster deep expertise and leadership within the UX domain, specifically tailored to the financial services sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a product roadmap based on your research findings. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your influence, communication, and impact).

• "How would you approach researching user needs for a new digital Islamic finance product, considering cultural and ethical nuances?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the domain and ability to tailor research).

• "Walk me through your process for planning and executing a complex usability study for a mobile banking application." (Showcase your methodology, tool proficiency, and problem-solving skills).

• "Imagine a situation where your research findings conflicted with a key stakeholder's long-held belief. How would you handle this?" (Assess your conflict resolution and persuasive communication skills). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for ADIB, specifically within our digital banking initiatives?" (Research ADIB's digital strategy and mention specific aspects that excite you).

• "How do you see your role contributing to ADIB's mission as a leading Islamic bank?" (Connect your UX expertise to the bank's values and goals).

• "Describe your ideal collaboration with UX designers, product managers, and engineers." (Highlight your teamwork and cross-functional communication skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative: the problem, your approach, the insights, the solution, and the impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your research (e.g., "reduced task completion time by X%", "increased feature adoption by Y%", "identified Z critical usability issues").

• Visuals: Use clear, concise visuals for personas, journey maps, and key findings. Avoid cluttered slides.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to ensure you cover the most critical points effectively.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decisions, and the challenges you faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just research skills but also strategic thinking, business acumen, and the ability to drive change within a corporate environment. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase this.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight experience in user research for digital products, especially within financial services or consumer-focused companies. Emphasize projects demonstrating strategic impact.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your years of experience, key research methodologies used, and quantifiable achievements. Use keywords from the job description such as "User Research," "Usability Testing," "Persona Development," "Journey Mapping," and "Data Analysis."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your research process, insights, and impact using the STAR method for behavioral questions. Prepare your portfolio presentation thoroughly, focusing on storytelling and quantifiable results.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with ADIB's digital banking offerings, its mission as an Islamic bank, and its recent innovations. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

---