Data Transformation & Change Manager

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Damen Shipyards Group is seeking a Data Transformation & Change Manager to accelerate onboarding of new data services into the Data Shared Service Centre. You will combine transformation leadership with stakeholder engagement to deliver measurable business value across functions and regions.

You will collaborate with Data Owners, Data Stewards, IT, governance and operations to turn opportunities into scalable services, define onboarding frameworks and SLAs, and ensure sustainable adoption.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Data Transformation Change Management Project Management Shared Services or related disciplines.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives.
• Experience driving organizational adoption and business change.
• Experience with stakeholder management across multiple functions and levels.
• Experience implementing operating models, shared services, or service onboarding frameworks.
• Experience working in complex international organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Data Transformation Initiatives: onboard new data services into the Data Shared Service Centre.
• Translate business needs into structured transformation and onboarding plans.
• Define scope milestones, risks, dependencies, deliverables and success measures.
• Coordinate activities across governance, operations, data and technology teams.
• Ensure successful transition from project delivery into operational service.
• Drive Change & Adoption: stakeholder engagement, training readiness, and adoption activities.
• Support business teams in understanding and embracing new ways of working.
• Manage organizational change across multiple functions and regions.
• Facilitate workshops, alignment sessions and decision-making forums.
• Promote long-term adoption and value realization.
• Build Scalable Data Services; support governance, MDM and service management practices.
• Define onboarding frameworks, operating procedures and service models.
• Contribute to SLAs, XLAs, KPIs and service documentation; ensure alignment with enterprise standards.
• Drive consistency and repeatability across future onboarding initiatives.
• Collaborate & Deliver Results: partner with data owners and stakeholders; provide progress updates and risk visibility.

Skills

Change Management

Stakeholder Management

Project & Program Management

Process Improvement

Data Governance

Master Data Management

Shared Services Operations

Data Transformation

Reporting & Tracking

Tools

SAP

Workday

Salesforce

IFS

ServiceNow

Job description

We offer you an Ocean of Possibilities. Join our family.

Data Transformation & Change Manager

Location: DMESS Abu Dhabi UAE

Department: Data & AI

Employment Type: Full-Time

Shape the Future of Data Transformation at Damen

At Damen Shipyards Group we are on an ambitious journey to become a truly data-powered organization. To support this vision we are strengthening our Data & AI capabilities and investing in the people platforms governance and operating models that enable trusted data scalable services and sustainable business transformation. The role is intended to help accelerate the adoption and expansion of Damens Data Shared Service Centre while driving organizational change across business functions.

We are not looking for someone who simply manages projects.

We are looking for a transformation-oriented professional who understands how people processes data and technology come together to create lasting business value. You may come from manufacturing shipbuilding construction marine offshore engineering energy utilities shared services or similar complex environments where stakeholder alignment operational adoption and organizational change are critical to success.

This is an opportunity to influence how data services are adopted across a global maritime leader and contribute directly to Damens Data & AI transformation journey.

The Role

As a Data Transformation & Change Manager you will lead the onboarding of new data services capabilities and operating models into the Data Shared Service Centre. You will be responsible for turning opportunities into structured adopted and operational services that create measurable value for the business.

You will work closely with Data Owners Data Stewards business stakeholders the Data SSC team IT Data Governance Master Data Management and operational teams to drive alignment adoption and long-term sustainability.

The role requires a balance between transformation leadership stakeholder management change management operational thinking and practical delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Data Transformation Initiatives

• Lead the end-to-end onboarding of new data services and data objects into the Data Shared Service Centre
• Translate business needs into structured transformation and onboarding plans
• Define scope milestones risks dependencies deliverables and success measures
• Coordinate activities across business governance operations data and technology teams
• Ensure successful transition from project delivery into operational service

Drive Change & Adoption

• Lead stakeholder engagement communication training readiness assessments and adoption activities
• Support business teams in understanding and embracing new ways of working
• Manage organizational change across multiple business functions and regions
• Facilitate workshops alignment sessions and decision-making forums

Promote long-term adoption and value realization

• Build Scalable Data Services
• Support the implementation of Data Governance MDM and service management practices
• Define and improve onboarding frameworks operating procedures and service models
• Contribute to the development of SLAs XLAs KPIs and service documentation
• Ensure alignment with enterprise standards governance frameworks and operating models
• Drive consistency and repeatability across future onboarding initiatives

Collaborate & Deliver Results

• Partner with Data Owners Data Stewards Product Owners and business stakeholders
• Provide transparency on progress risks issues and key decisions
• Support continuous improvement of Data SSC capabilities
• Capture lessons learned and promote best practices
• Help scale Data SSC services across domains regions and business functions

What Were Looking For

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Data Transformation Change Management Project Management Shared Services or related disciplines
• Proven experience leading cross-functional transformation initiatives
• Experience driving organizational adoption and business change
• Experience with stakeholder management across multiple functions and levels
• Experience implementing operating models shared services or service onboarding frameworks
• Experience working in complex international organizations

Technical Expertise

• Change Management
• Business Transformation
• Project & Program Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Process Improvement
• Service Onboarding
• Data Governance
• Master Data Management
• Shared Services Operations
• SAP Workday Salesforce IFS ServiceNow or similar enterprise platforms
• Reporting and Project Tracking Tools

Personal Attributes

• Structured and highly organized
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Excellent communication and facilitation abilities
• Pragmatic hands-on and results-oriented
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Able to build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
• Passionate about transformation adoption and continuous improvement

Why Join Damen

At Damen you will have the opportunity to make a real impact by helping shape how data services governance and operating models are adopted across a global maritime leader. You will collaborate with stakeholders across multiple countries business units and functions while supporting strategic Data & AI initiatives that drive operational excellence and business value.

As part of a growing Data & AI function you will benefit from strong executive sponsorship strategic investment and the opportunity to contribute directly to Damens long-term transformation ambitions. This is a unique opportunity to combine transformation leadership stakeholder engagement change management and business impact in an environment that encourages ownership innovation continuous improvement and professional growth.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is currently working as a Data Transformation Manager Change Manager Business Transformation Manager Data Program Manager Shared Services Transformation Manager Enterprise Change Manager Digital Transformation Manager or similar role within a complex international organization and has experience driving adoption onboarding services and leading cross-functional transformation initiatives.

This individual combines business acumen change leadership stakeholder engagement and operational delivery skills to create sustainable outcomes and accelerate organizational transformation.

Required Experience:

Manager