DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION / PORTFOLIO LEAD

Duncan & Ross; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 558,000 - 893,000; Full time

Job summary

Duncan & Ross is seeking a Senior Digital Transformation Lead for a confidential large UAE-based industrial group. The role is an interim, hands-on leadership assignment based in Dubai, onsite, focused on strengthening internal technology capabilities and accelerating enterprise-wide transformation.

You will shape the technology transformation agenda, establish portfolio governance, drive measurable business value, and work closely with the SVP of Technology & AI to deliver critical outcomes.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in digital transformation and technology strategy.
• Experience managing complex, multi-workstream transformation programmes in large organisations.
• Strong governance, financial oversight and value realisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the digital transformation roadmap in alignment with business strategy and enterprise priorities.
• Establish and manage the technology transformation portfolio, including initiatives, dependencies, milestones, budgets, risks, and expected benefits.
• Develop portfolio governance, executive reporting, decision-making forums, and performance tracking.
• Prioritise initiatives based on business value, operational impact, risk, cost, and delivery feasibility.
• Build business cases, investment plans, value-realisation frameworks, and transformation KPIs.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders across business, technology, operations, finance, and external partners.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve operating models, and accelerate digital adoption.
• Support the SVP of Technology & AI in organisational design, capability building, and the transition towards stronger internal technology ownership.
• Challenge delivery plans, resolve escalations, and ensure accountability for outcomes.

Skills

Digital transformation leadership

Portfolio management

Executive stakeholder engagement

Job description

Job description

About the job DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION / PORTFOLIO LEAD

Role Overview

We are seeking a senior Digital Transformation & Portfolio Lead for a confidential large UAE-based industrial group. The successful candidate will work closely with the SVP of Technology & AI to shape and execute the technology transformation agenda, establish effective portfolio governance, and ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value.

This is an interim, hands-on leadership assignment focused on strengthening internal technology capabilities, improving execution discipline, and accelerating enterprise-wide transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the digital transformation roadmap in alignment with business strategy and enterprise priorities.
• Establish and manage the technology transformation portfolio, including initiatives, dependencies, milestones, budgets, risks, and expected benefits.
• Develop portfolio governance, executive reporting, decision-making forums, and performance tracking.
• Prioritise initiatives based on business value, operational impact, risk, cost, and delivery feasibility.
• Build business cases, investment plans, value-realisation frameworks, and transformation KPIs.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders across business, technology, operations, finance, and external partners.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve operating models, and accelerate digital adoption.
• Support the SVP of Technology & AI in organisational design, capability building, and the transition towards stronger internal technology ownership.
• Challenge delivery plans, resolve escalations, and ensure accountability for outcomes.

Required Experience and Skills

• Significant senior-level experience in digital transformation, technology strategy, portfolio management, or enterprise transformation.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-workstream transformation programmes in large organisations.
• Strong business case development, portfolio prioritisation, financial governance, and value-realisation expertise.
• Experience engaging with executive leadership and influencing senior business and technology stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of transformation governance, operating models, risk management, and benefits tracking.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on with execution and problem-solving.
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, engineering, or asset-intensive environments is highly desirable.

Preferred Background

• Strategy consulting, transformation consulting, or senior enterprise transformation leadership.
• Experience in technology operating-model redesign, capability insourcing, or rebuilding internal delivery functions.

Assignment Details

• Location: Dubai, UAE.
• Work arrangement: Fully onsite.
• Contract: Initial 3 months, with potential extension.
• Programme: Approximately 18 months.
• Availability: Able to start within the next few weeks.

Vertical:

Technology