Specialist- UI/UX Design - Job Opportunity at First Abu Dhabi Bank

Abu Dhabi, AE
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 14, 2025
On-site
AED 180,000 - 250,000 annually (USD 49,000 - 68,000). This estimate reflects the UAE's competitive market for mid-level UX/UI specialists in major financial institutions, considering Abu Dhabi's slightly higher compensation levels compared to other regional markets, plus the premium that established banks like FAB typically offer for digital transformation roles.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering innovation and cultural learning
Strong managerial support system with trusted responsibility delegation and performance recognition programs
International exposure combined with deep local market expertise for accelerated professional development
Collaborative team structure promoting cross-functional learning and knowledge sharing

Key Responsibilities

Lead transformative customer journey design across all digital channels (Mobile, Web, Staff Tablets) and products (CASA, Cards, Lending, NHL, Elite) to drive market-leading customer experiences and innovation delivery
Conduct comprehensive market user research and usability testing to inform strategic design decisions that directly impact customer acquisition and retention
Establish and maintain trusted partnerships with Business Product teams, Frontline sales staff, Operations, Vendors, and Technology teams to ensure seamless digital solution delivery
Act as primary liaison between cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into exceptional user experiences that drive revenue growth
Design and execute UX/UI artifacts using Figma in accordance with business requirements, ensuring alignment with organizational design standards and governance
Perform critical quality control through design sanity testing on existing digital services to maintain operational excellence and customer satisfaction
Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying optimization opportunities in customer journeys based on global UX standards and user research insights
Lead agile design delivery processes including sprint planning, JIRA management, and testing cycle completion to meet project commitments
Communicate design rationale and strategic impact to stakeholders across business, technology, security, and legal teams to ensure organizational alignment

Requirements

Education

Design related studies and Bachelor's degree in business/engineering/computer science or related discipline

Experience

2-3 years' experience as a Digital Design and UX UI Best Practise methodologies in relevant specialization, 2-3 years' relevant experience in product management functions designing and developing digital solutions, 2-3 years' experience working in software development environment using one of the agile methodologies

Required Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills Extensive experience in implementation of business change and process improvements Proficiency in Design Thinking and UX UI methodologies Proven development in innovation & impactful design of customer journeys Experience in product management functions designing and developing digital solutions Experience working in software development environment using agile methodologies

Certifications

Specific training and certifications for Agile Delivery i.e. Scrum Master and Agile Product Owner or related disciplines
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Industry Trends

Digital transformation in Middle Eastern banking sector is accelerating rapidly, with UAE leading the region in fintech adoption and digital banking services. Traditional banks are investing heavily in user experience design to compete with emerging fintech companies and meet rising customer expectations for seamless digital interactions. The UAE's Vision 2071 initiative and Dubai's Smart City project are driving significant demand for digital banking solutions, creating opportunities for UX/UI specialists to shape the future of financial services in the region. Islamic banking digitization is creating unique design challenges and opportunities, requiring specialized knowledge of Sharia-compliant financial products and culturally sensitive user interface design approaches. Cross-platform consistency has become critical as customers expect unified experiences across mobile, web, and in-branch digital touchpoints, driving demand for specialists who can design cohesive omnichannel experiences.

Role Significance

Likely managing or collaborating with a design team of 3-5 members while interfacing with multiple cross-functional squads. The role involves coordination across product, technology, operations, and sales teams, suggesting responsibility for design outcomes across 2-3 major digital product lines.
This is a mid-level specialist position with significant cross-functional influence and strategic impact. The role requires independent decision-making on design directions while working closely with senior stakeholders across multiple departments. The position serves as a critical bridge between technical implementation and business strategy, indicating substantial organizational trust and responsibility.

Key Projects

End-to-end digital customer onboarding journey redesign for new account opening processes Mobile banking application enhancement projects focusing on core banking services like transfers, payments, and account management Digital lending platform user experience optimization including loan applications, approvals, and servicing interfaces Cross-platform design system implementation to ensure consistency across mobile, web, and staff-facing applications Customer research and usability testing initiatives to inform product roadmap decisions and feature prioritization

Success Factors

Mastery of cultural nuances in Middle Eastern banking customer behavior and preferences, particularly understanding the diverse expatriate population in Abu Dhabi and their varying digital banking expectations and usage patterns. Ability to balance innovative design approaches with regulatory compliance requirements in the UAE banking sector, including Central Bank guidelines and Islamic banking principles where applicable. Strong stakeholder management skills to navigate complex organizational structures and build consensus among business, technology, and operations teams while maintaining design integrity and user focus. Proficiency in rapid prototyping and iterative design processes to keep pace with the fast-moving digital transformation initiatives while maintaining high quality standards. Deep understanding of omnichannel customer journey mapping to create seamless experiences across digital and physical banking touchpoints, particularly important for FAB's comprehensive service offerings.

Market Demand

High demand driven by the UAE's position as a regional fintech hub and the banking sector's urgent need for digital transformation specialists. The combination of traditional banking digitization and emerging fintech competition creates strong market conditions for experienced UX/UI professionals.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Proficiency in Design Thinking and UX/UI methodologies is essential as the role requires systematic approach to complex problem-solving and user-centered design. The banking sector's regulatory requirements and diverse customer base demand structured design processes that can be documented and validated. Cross-functional communication skills are crucial given the need to interface with business teams, technology specialists, operations staff, and senior management. The ability to translate complex design concepts into business impact terms is vital for securing stakeholder buy-in and project approval. Agile methodology experience is critical as FAB operates in a fast-paced digital transformation environment where iterative development and rapid response to market changes are essential for maintaining competitive advantage.

Beneficial Skills

Arabic language skills would provide significant advantage in understanding local customer needs and collaborating with Arabic-speaking team members, particularly important for designing culturally appropriate user interfaces. Knowledge of Islamic banking principles and Sharia-compliant financial products would differentiate candidates and enable more effective design of specialized banking services that FAB offers to its diverse customer base. Experience with enterprise-scale design systems and component libraries would be valuable for maintaining consistency across FAB's multiple digital products and ensuring scalable design solutions.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to design for one of the world's safest and largest banks, providing access to cutting-edge technology resources and significant project budgets that enable implementation of innovative design solutions.
Exposure to unique regional requirements including Islamic banking products, multilingual interfaces (Arabic/English), and diverse customer demographics ranging from local Emiratis to international expatriates.
Direct involvement in the UAE's national digital transformation initiatives, with potential to influence banking standards and practices across the wider Middle Eastern market.
Access to comprehensive customer research resources and data analytics capabilities that enable evidence-based design decisions and sophisticated user behavior analysis.
Opportunity to work on high-stakes digital initiatives that directly impact millions of customers and contribute to the UAE's position as a regional fintech leader.

Career Growth

Typically 18-24 months to senior designer level with demonstrated impact on major digital initiatives. Progression to management roles usually occurs within 3-4 years, particularly given the rapid growth and expansion of digital banking services in the UAE market.

Potential Next Roles

Senior UX/UI Designer with expanded responsibility for design strategy and team leadership within FAB's digital transformation division Lead Product Designer role overseeing multiple product lines and managing a team of designers across various digital banking solutions UX/UI Manager position with responsibility for establishing design standards and processes across the organization's digital initiatives Product Manager role leveraging design expertise to drive product strategy and roadmap development for digital banking solutions Digital Experience Consultant for regional banking institutions, leveraging expertise gained from working with one of the UAE's leading financial institutions

Company Overview

First Abu Dhabi Bank

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the UAE's largest bank and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions, formed through the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi. The bank serves as a key financial partner in the UAE's economic diversification strategy and plays a crucial role in the country's digital transformation initiatives across multiple sectors.

FAB holds a dominant position in the UAE banking sector with significant regional presence across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The bank is recognized as a leader in digital banking innovation within the GCC region and has been investing heavily in technology infrastructure and customer experience enhancement to maintain its competitive edge.
Working at FAB's Abu Dhabi headquarters positions the role at the center of the UAE's financial hub, with direct access to senior leadership and strategic decision-making processes. The location offers exposure to high-profile government and corporate clients while providing opportunities to influence digital banking standards across the region.
FAB emphasizes an inclusive, collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and promotes innovation through cross-functional teamwork. The bank's culture supports professional development through international exposure and encourages employees to take ownership of their projects while providing strong managerial support and recognition systems.
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