The Senior Director – Technology is a critical executive leadership role responsible for the complete end-to-end ownership of the organization’s technology ecosystem across the UAE. This role carries full strategic, operational, financial, governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure, applications, data, and digital transformation accountability. The position demands a highly experienced technology executive capable of aligning enterprise-wide IT strategy with business growth objectives, regulatory frameworks, and digital innovation priorities.
The role is both strategic and operational, overseeing mission-critical systems, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity posture, IT governance, risk management, vendor ecosystems, digital platforms, and technology-enabled business transformation initiatives across multiple business units.
Key Responsibilities
1. Enterprise IT Strategy & Digital Transformation
- Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise-wide IT and Digital Strategy aligned with corporate vision and growth objectives.
- Lead multi-year digital transformation initiatives across operations, finance, HR, customer experience, and commercial functions.
- Define enterprise architecture standards and long-term technology roadmaps.
- Drive adoption of cloud-first strategies, AI, automation, analytics, IoT, and emerging technologies.
- Establish measurable KPIs and ROI frameworks to ensure value realization from digital investments.
2. IT Operations, Infrastructure & Service Delivery
- Oversee 24/7 enterprise IT operations, ensuring high availability, scalability, resilience, and performance.
- Manage data centers, cloud environments (Azure/AWS), networks, endpoints, and enterprise platforms.
- Implement ITIL-based service management frameworks and continuous service improvement programs.
- Ensure Disaster Recovery (DR), Business Continuity Planning (BCP), and redundancy strategies are tested and compliant.
- Lead IT helpdesk, technical support, and enterprise systems administration functions.
3. Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance
- Establish and lead an enterprise cybersecurity framework aligned with UAE regulatory standards.
- Oversee SOC operations, threat monitoring, vulnerability management, penetration testing, and incident response.
- Ensure compliance with UAE Data Protection Law and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Conduct enterprise risk assessments and deliver board-level cybersecurity reporting.
- Develop and enforce data governance, privacy, and information security policies organization-wide.
4. Enterprise Systems & Applications
- Lead ERP, CRM, HRMS, Finance, Procurement, and operational system implementations and optimization.
- Ensure seamless integration across enterprise platforms to enable efficient digital workflows.
- Drive automation initiatives to enhance productivity and cost efficiency.
- Oversee system modernization, upgrades, and migration programs.
5. Financial Oversight & Vendor Governance
- Manage large-scale IT budgets (CAPEX & OPEX) with full financial accountability.
- Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, and SLA governance for strategic technology partners.
- Ensure cost optimization, measurable ROI, and value realization from technology investments.
- Oversee procurement strategies for hardware, software, and managed services.
6. Executive Leadership & Organizational Impact
- Build and lead high-performing IT teams across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, and data functions.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development strategies.
- Present technology strategy, risk posture, and performance metrics to executive leadership and Board.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as strategic advisor to executive leadership on technology-enabled growth opportunities.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Master’s Degree (MBA or technology-focused) preferred.
- 15–20+ years of progressive IT leadership experience.
- Minimum 8–10 years at Director / VP / SVP level managing enterprise-scale environments.
- Professional certifications such as ITIL, PMP, CISSP, CISM, or TOGAF preferred.
- Strong experience within the UAE or GCC regulatory and operational landscape.
