About Wego:
We’re on a mission to help people discover the real value of travel — to inspire, to give more reasons, to make it easy — for you to travel. Our company was founded back in 2005, and since then, we’ve imagined and created some of the most well-loved products for travelers all around the world.

Today, Wego is the number one travel metasearch engine in the Middle East. There are millions of users on Wego every month — people who travel for adventure, for work, for family, and for many other reasons. That’s why we work tirelessly to make your experience of planning & booking flights, hotels, and trips as seamless as possible.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a highly organised and strategic candidate to partner with our brand, marketing, design, UX research, product, engineering, operations and commercial leadership team in driving operational excellence, strategic alignment, and cross-functional collaboration within our design and UX research organisation.

The Head of UX Research and Design is responsible for leading the UX research and design team to create user-centred design solutions. The successful candidate will manage the team to create innovative designs, conduct user research, and ensure that designs meet business goals and user needs.

This role will be instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution of design initiatives, fostering a culture of research, innovation, and maximising the impact of design on our products and services.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & Alignment:

• Develop and implement a strategy and processes for UX research and design that aligns with the company's overall goals and objectives
• Lead and manage the UX research and design team to ensure quality work and timely delivery of projects
• Work closely with marketing, branding, design, UX research, product, engineering and commercial leadership to develop and execute a coherent and aligned design strategy that aligns with company goals and objectives.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication and collaboration to ensure design is integrated into all aspects of the product development process.
• Define roles and responsibilities for designers, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in the design and research process
• Establish guidelines for design and research deliverables, such as design systems, wireframes, and prototypes
• Develop and maintain design guidelines and standards to ensure consistency and brand alignment across all platforms
• Represent the design and UX research team in cross-functional meetings and advocate for design-driven solutions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to inform design strategy and direction.

Operational Excellence:

• Analyse and optimise design operations, budgeting, project planning, timeline management, and integration of design and UX research to lead product development
• Develop and implement processes and tools to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and track project progress.
• Establish metrics to measure the impact of design and UX research on business outcomes.
• Conduct research and analysis to understand user needs, behaviors, and motivations, using methods such as usability testing, surveys, interviews, A/B testing and focus groups, to name a few

Team Collaboration and Communication:

• Organise and lead team meetings, workshops, and events to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Bridge the gap across all the different teams to have an aligned design strategy
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that promotes creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
• Facilitate workshops, communication and information sharing within the design and UX research team and across other teams
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.

Leadership and Development:

• Provide coaching and mentorship to design team members to support their professional growth and development.
• Identify and address skill gaps within the design and UX research teams.
• Represent the design & UX research team in external events and conferences.
• Contribute to thought leadership in the design and UX research community.

Special Projects:

• Lead the design and UX research efforts on high-priority special projects
• Cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders across the org

Who We’re Looking For:

• A seasoned strategic designer who has done UX research, backed by a portfolio that features user-centric designs.
• A standout leader, adept at working in a remote, cross-functional environment, understanding detailed requirements, and aligning design solutions with our business and product vision. Your ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly helps bring our big ideas to life.
• Able to adapt to changing priorities throughout a product's life cycle and manage multiple projects independently, demonstrating strong organisational and project management skills.
• Well-versed in the latest technology, user interactions, current industry trends, and design best practices, ensuring that your work is always ahead of the curve.
• Strong cross-platform knowledge, including Desktop Web, Mobile Web, Android, and iOS, allows you to make informed decisions about design and implementation across various devices and platforms.
• Experienced in utilising and crafting Design System, enhancing consistency and efficiency in our design process.
• Proficient with leading design and prototyping tools (we are using Figma), with a keen eye for detail.

Extra credit for:

• Experience working in a product-based company, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in such environments.
• Experience in crafting visual graphics such as icons, illustrations, and animations that enhance our product's user experience.
• Experience in designing for multiple languages and right-to-left languages, showcasing your ability to create inclusive and accessible designs.
• Understanding common front-end and back-end technologies/platforms enables you to collaborate more effectively with engineering teams.
• Experience conducting research, such as usability testing, user interviews, or A/B testing, demonstrating a commitment to user-centric design principles