Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for SAP UX and Cloud Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

The SAP UX and Cloud Consultant is a key strategic player in modernizing the enterprise landscape. This individual acts as a trusted advisor and technical expert, bridging the gap between complex back-end SAP systems and the end-user's need for simple, intuitive, and effective digital experiences. The role's core purpose is to leverage the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and modern UX design principles to conceptualize, design, and build next-generation applications. This professional will champion user-centric design within the SAP ecosystem, transforming how businesses interact with their most critical data and processes, ultimately driving user adoption, efficiency, and satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

SAP Fiori Developer
Senior ABAP Developer (with a focus on OData and UI)
Front-End/UI5 Developer with SAP integration experience

Advancement To:

SAP UX Architect or Lead
SAP Solution Architect (Cloud & UX Focus)
Cloud Practice Lead or Digital Transformation Manager

Lateral Moves:

SAP Integration Consultant (BTP)
Product Owner (SAP Applications)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop, test, and deploy custom and extended SAP Fiori applications using SAPUI5, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and modern front-end frameworks.
Lead and facilitate design thinking workshops with business stakeholders and end-users to gather requirements, define user personas, map user journeys, and co-create solutions.
Create wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes to visually communicate design concepts and gather early feedback before development begins.
Architect and implement robust UX solutions on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), utilizing services such as the Cloud Foundry & Kyma runtimes, SAP Business Application Studio (BAS), and the SAP Cloud Portal service.
Develop and consume OData and RESTful APIs from SAP backend systems (S/4HANA, ECC) and other third-party services to ensure seamless data flow to the front-end applications.
Configure and manage the SAP Fiori Launchpad, including catalogs, groups, roles, and themes, to provide a personalized and coherent entry point for users.
Drive the complete software development lifecycle for UX projects, including solution design, hands-on development, unit testing, integration testing, and deployment using CI/CD pipelines on BTP.
Act as the subject matter expert on all things related to SAP UX, including Fiori design guidelines, SAP's overall UX strategy, and emerging cloud technologies.
Analyze and troubleshoot complex technical issues across the full stack, from the UI5 front-end application down to the ABAP Gateway services and cloud platform configurations.
Ensure all developed solutions adhere to SAP's best practices for performance, security, and maintainability, conducting regular code reviews and performance tuning.
Liaise between functional consultants, technical developers, and business representatives to translate complex business processes into intuitive and elegant application interfaces.
Manage the security aspects of cloud applications, including authentication (e.g., SAML2, OAuth2) and authorization, leveraging BTP's security services and integrating with Identity Providers.
Provide expert-level guidance on the configuration and extension of standard SAP Fiori apps, as well as deciding when a custom build is the more appropriate approach.
Spearhead the mobile-first design and development strategy, ensuring applications are responsive and provide a seamless experience across desktop, tablet, and smartphone devices.
Develop comprehensive technical documentation, solution designs, and end-user training materials to support the successful rollout and adoption of new applications.
Stay abreast of the latest advancements and updates within the SAP BTP ecosystem and the broader UX/UI landscape, and evangelize these new capabilities within the organization.

Secondary Functions

Support pre-sales activities, including creating proof-of-concept applications, delivering technical demonstrations, and contributing to proposals and project scoping.
Mentor junior developers and colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence in UX development within the team.
Participate in and contribute to the governance processes for application development, ensuring standards and consistency are maintained across the portfolio.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

SAPUI5/OpenUI5: Expert-level proficiency in the SAPUI5 framework for building enterprise-ready web applications, including a deep understanding of its MVC architecture and control library.
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Hands-on experience with core BTP services, including SAP Business Application Studio, Cloud Foundry runtime, Cloud Identity Services, and CI/CD services.
Fiori Design Principles: Strong knowledge of SAP Fiori design guidelines and the ability to apply them to create consistent, intuitive, and role-based user experiences.
OData & REST APIs: Proficient in creating, consuming, and troubleshooting OData and REST services, particularly from an SAP Gateway (SEGW) or ABAP RAP context.
ABAP for Gateway: Solid understanding of the ABAP programming language, specifically for developing OData services and the underlying business logic in S/4HANA or ECC systems.
Front-End Technologies: Mastery of fundamental web technologies including JavaScript (ES6+), HTML5, and CSS3.
Version Control Systems: Proficiency with Git for source code management, including branching, merging, and collaborating within a team.
Cloud Security: Knowledge of cloud application security concepts, including authentication (SAML, OAuth) and authorization models.
Agile/Scrum Methodology: Experience working in an Agile development environment, participating in sprints, stand-ups, and retrospectives.
SAP S/4HANA: Functional or technical knowledge of key processes within SAP S/4HANA or ECC to effectively design relevant UX solutions.

Soft Skills

Consulting Mindset: The ability to listen, guide, and advise clients and stakeholders, building trust and leading them to the best possible solution.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at managing expectations and communicating effectively with a diverse audience, from C-level executives to end-users and technical teams.
Problem-Solving: A creative and analytical approach to diagnosing complex technical and functional problems and architecting effective solutions.
Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a talent for articulating complex technical ideas in a clear, concise manner to non-technical audiences.
User Empathy: A genuine passion for understanding user needs and advocating for them throughout the entire design and development process.
Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, constantly evolving technology landscape and quickly learn new tools and platforms.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

Computer Science
Information Systems / Business Informatics
Software Engineering
Human-Computer Interaction

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-10 years of professional experience in SAP development, with at least 3-5 years specifically focused on SAP Fiori, SAPUI5, and cloud platform technologies.

Preferred: Demonstrable experience in a client-facing consulting role and a portfolio showcasing participation in multiple full-cycle SAP UX implementation projects from conception to go-live. SAP certifications in Fiori Development or BTP are highly regarded.