DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION / PORTFOLIO LEAD

Duncan & Ross Consulting; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Part time

Job summary

Duncan & Ross Consulting in Dubai, UAE, seeks a Senior Digital Transformation & Portfolio Lead for an interim, hands-on leadership assignment. You will shape and execute the technology transformation agenda, establish portfolio governance, and ensure investments deliver measurable business value.

This role operates closely with the SVP of Technology & AI to strengthen internal capabilities. The assignment is initially 3 months with potential extension, focused on accelerating enterprise-wide

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in digital transformation and portfolio management.
• Proven track record in multi-workstream programmes.
• Strong business case development and governance know-how.
• Experience engaging with executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of transformation governance and operating models.
• Strategic thinker who remains hands-on in execution.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the digital transformation roadmap aligned with strategy.
• Manage the transformation portfolio with budgets, milestones, risks and benefits.
• Develop portfolio governance, executive reporting and performance tracking.
• Prioritise initiatives based on value, risk, cost and feasibility.
• Build investment cases, value-realisation plans and KPIs.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders across business and tech.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and accelerate adoption.
• Support organisational design and capability building.
• Challenge delivery plans and ensure accountability for outcomes.

Skills

Digital transformation

Portfolio management

Executive engagement

Delivery discipline

Strategic leadership

Risk & governance

Job description

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