Lead Experience Designer

About the Role

Step into the role of Lead Experience Designer as we expand our presence in the Middle East, focusing on key growth areas in Saudi Arabia and UAE driven by digital transformation and AI innovation under initiatives like Vision 2030. Based in Riyadh, you will lead the conception and execution of AI-powered user experiences in small, agile, multidisciplinary teams collaborating closely with product managers, AI and data experts, and engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the experience design process across engagement stages by facilitating discovery workshops, mapping intricate user journeys, crafting detailed concept visuals, and developing interactive prototypes alongside engineering teams to ensure continuous iteration.
• Design AI-native, conversational, multimodal, and autonomous agent interactions prioritizing trustworthiness, transparency, and user agency; responsibly managing AI behavior and communication of reasoning.
• Utilize AI-enhanced tools and platforms such as Figma, UX Pilot, Bolt, Murai, Maze, and research instruments to expedite ideation and research while maintaining high-quality design standards.
• Implement lean, generative, and evaluative user research matching agile sprint timelines, advocating for accessibility, inclusive design, and ongoing validation from project inception.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee scalable design systems and component libraries collaborating closely with engineers to enhance team efficiency and ensure cohesive visual experiences.
• Provide consultative leadership to clients by partnering with executive stakeholders to craft compelling AI-enabled products and data platforms, contributing to proposal development, pre-sales strategies, and establishing trusted partnerships.
• Champion local design practice development by influencing team culture, building client relationships, and enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration within the Middle East context.

Qualifications

• Over eight years of expertise in product design with a demonstrable portfolio showing outstanding visual design, strong UX rationale, rapid prototyping, and ownership of fully launched digital products.
• Proven success leading design efforts on large-scale and new product launches while engaging with senior leadership effectively.
• Proficiency in user research techniques, journey mapping, wireframing, and quick prototyping using lean validation approaches balancing desirability, viability, and feasibility.
• Experience designing for AI and data-centric products, adept at leveraging AI-based design tools within daily workflows.
• Track record of embedding human-centered design and innovation mindsets in organizations undergoing fast-paced digital or economic changes.
• Deep understanding of accessibility, inclusive design, and adaptable interfaces across diverse devices and environments.
• Hands-on experience or exploratory work on conversational UI including chatbots, voice assistants, and multimodal AI, with insight into their distinct design requirements from traditional interfaces.

Professional Expertise

• Familiarity with design ecosystem and user expectations in the KSA and broader Middle East region.
• Experienced in fostering relationships with executive stakeholders to align design with business and technological strategies.
• Skilled in consultative sales, client needs assessment, co-creating innovative solutions, and sustaining advisor-level partnerships.
• Capable workshop facilitator who drives alignment and action through Define workshops, opportunity validation, and ideation sessions.
• Strong communicator articulating design rationale clearly to diverse audiences, embracing constructive critique, and connecting design outcomes with business goals.
• Committed to developing local design communities and representing organizational design initiatives externally in the Middle East.
• Balanced approach combining hands-on design and strategic advisory roles within integrated, multidisciplinary teams.
• Open-minded, inquisitive leader motivated to challenge norms and contribute to establishing a vibrant design culture in an emerging regional market.

Additional Information

Work Model: Hybrid setup with three days per week onsite presence in Riyadh.

Learning & Development: Personalized career growth paths supported by interactive tools, numerous development programs, and a collaborative culture fostering mutual support.

Ethical AI Use: Recruitment processes employ AI tools for administrative tasks only. No AI is used for candidate selection. Ongoing monitoring and governance ensure fairness and bias mitigation in accordance with organizational policies.

About the Company

The company is an innovative and inclusive tech consultancy with over 30 years of experience, renowned for pioneering digital transformation solutions globally. As it embarks on its Middle East expansion, it offers impactful opportunities to work on ambitious AI, data, and digital transformation projects while shaping the company’s presence and culture in the region.