Associate Director- IT Application Development

Al Fardan Group; Sharjah; On-site; AED 420,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

AFEX in Sharjah is seeking a Head of Application Development to lead software delivery and IT applications. The role involves setting a strategic technology vision, guiding development teams, and collaborating with product managers to ensure timely, high-quality releases across diverse environments.

The incumbent will drive continuous improvement, oversee architecture decisions, manage stakeholder expectations, and align IT initiatives with business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT with strong technical foundation.
• 15-18 years of experience in software development and SDLC.
• 7-10 years in programming languages including Oracle Technologies, AngularJS, Java and Dot.Net.
• 7-10 years of team management and resource management.
• Proven leadership and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic technology vision for the company.
• Lead Software Development and IT teams to deliver architecture meeting user needs.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to ensure delivery against priorities.
• Monitor and report progress on software development activities.
• Ensure on-time and quality delivery of software projects.
• Maintain internal and external IT support systems.
• Create and maintain continuous improvement plan for software development.
• Engage with product managers to meet current and future user needs.
• Identify external partners for best-in-class technology delivery.

Skills

Team Leadership

Software Development

SDLC

Stakeholder Management

Communication skills

Architecture vision

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT

Tools

Oracle Technologies

AngularJS

Java

Dot.Net

Job description

Associate Director- IT Application Development Sharjah Back Office, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 15 - 18 Years Full Time

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Application Development

Primary Location: Sharjah- UAE

Core Functions/Duties:

The Head of Software Development (HoAD) is a leadership role accountablefor the successful delivery of software programs and IT Applications.

Job Purpose:

• Managing a team of developers and testers, the HoAD willwork closely with department & business stakeholders and other members ofthe Senior Leadership Management Team (SLMT) to deliver software and ITservices that meet end user needs.
• The HoAD will be accountable transition of existing technology to newer& advanced technology, as well as creation and delivery of the strategic,software and IT architecture vision and leadership and all aspects of thedevelopment of the software

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a strategic technological vision and direction forthe Company
• Lead and manage the Software Development and IT teams to deliversoftware & IT Applications architecture that meets the needs ofusers;
• Work effectively with Product Managers and Product Owners to ensuredelivery against agreed priorities;
• Implement mechanisms to monitor, manage and provide progress on allsoftware development activities;
• Accountable for the on-time and to quality delivery of softwaredevelopment projects;
• Responsible for the maintenance and development of internal and externalIT support systems;
• Create, implement and maintain a continuous improvement plan forsoftware development;
• Working closely with the Product Managers with the aim of meetingcurrent and future user needs;
• Research the external environment, and where appropriate identify andrecommend external partners for the delivery of best-in-class technologiessuitable for AFEX applications;
• Reviewing and applying said best practices to establish architecture andframeworks consistent with and supportive of the Product Strategy;
• Identifying and implementing technology trends that will be able tosupport the future success of the business;
• Collaborating with the appropriate functions and users to evaluate andidentify technology platforms for delivering the company’s products andinternal services;
• Understanding the use cases (and/or user stories) to oversee the designof the architecture for the products to be built;
• Ensuring that technology standards and best practices are maintainedacross the organization;
• To drive consistent standards and approaches throughout the developmentteams;
• Responsible for his/her own work planning against objectives set inagreement with the Executive Director
• Communicate and ensure engagement of AFEX technology strategiesinternally and within the AFEX user community;
• Ensure effective documentation of all programs, internal communicationsboth within the software development team and across the organization.
• Accountable and responsible for effective planning and monitoring of theSoftware Development and IT teams
• Ensure that the skills and experience of Software Development and ITteams are consistent with its scientific, technological and business needs forproviding quality in present and future services;
• Establish clear organizational structures and succession plans alignedwith appropriate responsibilities, accountabilities and personal developmentfor all Software Development and IT staff in line with any anticipatedgrowth;

Qualifications, Capabilities and Knowledge;

• Bachelor’s degree in IT will be highly desired with high-level IT techskills essential -
• Total 15-18 years of experience in Software Development, SystemAnalysis, Coding and SDLC, Application implementation
• 7-10 Years of exp. in Programming Languages (Oracle Technologies,Angular JS, Java, Dot.Net & Other Development Tools)
• 7-10 years of exp. in Team Management and resource management
• Excellent Team Management Skill & leadership skills
• Coordination with internal and external Stakeholder. Key contact pointfor Projects
• Introduce, Plan and implement new and effective development Technologyand focus to improve development standards and deliveries.
• Create Road map for Software Development.
• Experience of successfully delivering into the market sophisticatedsoftware product releases deployed into a variety of environments
• Hands-on experience ofcoding using more than one recognized industry standard language

Essential Qualifications, Capabilities and Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to translate conceptual requirements into business andfunctional requirements
• Experience managing projects across development life cycles (analysisthrough implementation)
• Track record of successfully managing multiple projects of varying scope, size,and complexity

Desirable Qualifications, Capabilities and Knowledge

• Familiar with software or systems development life cycles
• Ability to multi‐task and effectively prioritize competingrequirements
• Self‐starter who can quickly acclimate to a fast‐paced environment
• Can-do positive attitude focus on acquiring new skills and a hunger forlearning systems and business
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.Flexible mind-set
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ease of working withothers, in small/medium-sized teams

Competency Requirements

• Hands-on experience of coding using more than one recognized industrystandard language
• Ability to envision and deliver software solutions that meet user needsand/or solve business problems
• An understanding of the handling of large data sources
• Ability to articulate & gain engagementfor ideas to both technical & non-technical audiences

Job Snapshot

Updated Date

27-10-2026

Department

Information Technology

Location