Head – IT Strategy & Transformation recruitment

Working for a major UAE Bank, based in Abu Dhabi and reporting to the Chief Information Officer, your responsibilities will be as follows:

The Head-IT Strategy Transformation is repsponsible for developing the Group IT Strategy, implementing IT strategic initiaitves, leading complex or high profile projects and leading the transformation of the IT organization into a standards compliant, process oriented high performance organization. The role includes the responsibility for rationalizing cost, streamlining operations and improving the operational efficiency of the IT Department . The role is also responsible to keep the team appraised of IT emerging trends and to ensure IT solutions are aligned to the needs of the bank

• Support the Chief Information Officer in the development and implementation of the Groups IT strategic plans based on the needs and ambitions of the company; ensure that the IT capabilities are responsive to the needs of the company’s growth objectives.

• Identify emerging information technologies to be assimilated, integrated, aligned to the architecture and systems platform strategy and introduced within the bank

• Assess the effectiveness of governance, communications, policy and procedure, planning and budgeting, project prioritization, and project management related to administrative, academic, and research systems.

• Implement “Best In Class” Project Management methodology, project portfolio management and demand management.

• Implement IT processes and management models according to ITIL.

• Structure, streamline and implement the business engagement model

• Set up and manage the effective governance required to drive both decision making and business alignment.

• Design and manage the implementation of an effective and efficient IT performance management.

• Manage the IT project portfolio and demand pipeline on an ongoing basis

• Provide strategic level project leadership, direction and management of project resources (internal and external), including project scope management, planning, design management, contract and commercial management and project execution management.

• Where appropriate create compelling benefits cases for change

• Provides the Chief Information Officer with adequate management information and reporting of project performance, ensuring risks and opportunities are proactively managed and communicated

• Continually reviews the IT environment for the identification and delivery of value driven opportunities

• Provide benchmarking analysis of segments of the information technology function against other peers in the market

• Provide recommendations to promote more efficient, effective, and flexible delivery of information technology services

• Work with the Head of IT Management and Control to ensure the implementation and continued application “charge out strategies” to the business units

• Develop and perform ongoing review of standards, policies, process and procedures with a focus on organizational efficiency and cost efficiency

• Supports the coaching, training and professional development for teams

• Shares lessons learned with organisation and drive continuous improvement

• Be conversant with and develop a “trusted business advisor” capacity to guide client decisions regarding all aspects of information technology strategy and operations.

• Be able to bridge the communication gap between technology groups and business units to ensure maximum benefit of IT solutions deployment

Develop UAE Nationals as directed by senior management

A university degree related to Information Technology . A master’s degree in a business systems related subject area would be desirable.

An additional degree in Business administration or finance would be highly desirable

ITIL, COBIT, CGEIT or a similar qualification associated with IT strategy, governance and service in the corporate environment

A qualification in a leading project management methodology (e.g. PMI or PRINCE2).

•At least 10 - 15 years in an IT banking background, with at least 5 years in a managerial capacity as well as experience in a consulting capacity.

•Experience in managing application systems, technical systems and networks.

•Strong experience in IT project delivery, IT process implementation and IT process management. 

•Very good knowledge of written and spoken English

•Excellent person to person communication skills

•People Management; demonstrating ability to manage, motivate and drive project teams

•Stakeholder engagement upstream, downstream and lateral

•Experience of implementing strategy and a continuous improvement environment.

•Experienced in the implementation of ITIL and PMI processes and operating models

•Ability to think structurally, strategically and act in the detail with a ‘can do’ approach

Solid understanding of project management principles (e.g., proposal and business case development; scope, project estimating and scheduling, risk, budget and issues management) and experienced in the implementation and execution of project methodology, portfolio management, demand- and pipeline management in an enterprise environment