Role: Program Director – Data & AI Transformation
Domain: Government / Public Sector Digital Transformation
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE – Onsite
Employment Type: Full-Time / FTE
Experience: Senior Leadership / Enterprise Transformation
We are looking for an experienced Program Director – Data & AI Transformation to lead large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives across Data, AI, Technology, and Digital Innovation for a major government-sector organization in the UAE.
The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in managing complex enterprise transformation programs, engaging with C-suite and senior government stakeholders, defining Data & AI strategies, establishing governance frameworks, and building scalable Data & AI capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Governance
- Lead large-scale enterprise transformation programs from strategy through execution and benefits realization.
- Establish and manage program governance frameworks, steering committees, governance forums, and operating rhythms.
- Provide delivery oversight across multiple workstreams, managing scope, timelines, quality, risks, dependencies, and budgets.
- Drive escalation management and resolution of critical program issues.
- Provide executive-level reporting covering program progress, risks, financials, dependencies, and outcomes.
- Ensure quality assurance and adherence to enterprise standards.
Data & AI Strategy
- Define and execute enterprise Data & AI strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize AI and Data use cases based on business value, feasibility, and strategic importance.
- Develop AI operating models, governance frameworks, and transformation roadmaps.
- Drive innovation initiatives and adoption of emerging AI and Data technologies.
- Establish mechanisms to measure business impact, value realization, and ROI from Data & AI investments.
Enterprise Architecture & Technology Strategy
- Provide strategic direction on enterprise architecture and technology alignment across transformation programs.
- Ensure solution architecture aligns with enterprise technology strategy, business objectives, security, scalability, and integration requirements.
- Drive interoperability across applications, platforms, data environments, and technology ecosystems.
- Ensure technology decisions support long-term enterprise transformation objectives.
Stakeholder & Executive Management
- Partner with senior executives, business leaders, technology leadership, and government stakeholders.
- Translate strategic objectives into executable transformation roadmaps.
- Facilitate executive steering committees and strategic decision-making forums.
- Build strong relationships across business, technology, data, AI, security, and digital teams.
Team & Capability Development
- Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary transformation teams.
- Establish and scale Data & AI Centres of Excellence / capability hubs.
- Define operating models, roles, responsibilities, and capability development plans.
- Mentor senior program and technology leaders.
Required Skills & Experience
- 15+ years of experience in enterprise transformation, technology, Data & AI, digital transformation, or related domains.
- Proven experience leading large-scale, complex enterprise programs.
- Strong experience in Data & AI transformation strategy and execution.
- Experience working with C-suite, executive leadership, and senior government stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud, data platforms, AI/ML, digital technologies, and technology governance.
- Demonstrated experience in program governance, PMO, risk management, financial management, and benefits realization.
- Experience establishing or scaling Data & AI Centres of Excellence is highly desirable.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and leadership capabilities.
- Experience within government, public sector, consulting, or large enterprise transformation environments will be advantageous.
- UAE / GCC experience is preferred.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Leadership of enterprise-wide Data & AI transformation programs
- Strategic and hands-on program delivery leadership
- Strong executive stakeholder management
- Enterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model experience
- Technology and enterprise architecture understanding
- Experience managing multiple complex workstreams and transformation teams
- Ability to operate effectively in a government / public-sector environment
