Director – Digital Strategy & Transformation

AD Ports Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in Abu Dhabi is looking for a Director to lead Digital and Transformation strategies. This role requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in a similar leadership position, focusing on strategic development, innovation, and change management within the digital landscape. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with a Master's preferred. Competitive benefits and opportunities for professional growth are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience in strategy development and execution of large-scale transformation projects.
• Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation and execution of Digital & Transformation strategies.
• Ensure alignment of strategic objectives across diverse teams.
• Manage the annual strategic planning and budgeting processes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Development

Change Management

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Strategy or a related field

Master's degree

Job description

Who we are looking for

A pivotal leader within the Digital industry, who can guide the organization through its strategic lifecycle to achieve sustained success and growth across digital and technology domains at AD Ports Group.

About the Role

The Director will develop and execute comprehensive group-wide strategies that align with the organization's vision and shareholder expectations, fostering innovation and leading transformational initiatives across Digital & Transformation functions including Strategy, IT PMO, IT Financial Management & Value Tracking, Adoption, and IT Post-Merger Integration.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation, execution, and continuous refinement of AD Ports Group's Digital & Transformation strategies, frameworks, and strategic plans, ensuring effective cascading and clear communication across all relevant functions and clusters.
• Ensure alignment of strategic objectives across diverse teams including IT PMO, IT Financial Management & Value Tracking, Strategy & Adoption, IT Post-Merger Integration, and Digital Strategy, maximizing coherence, synergy, and impact.
• Manage and oversee the annual strategic planning and budgeting processes, ensuring they are dynamic, responsive, integrated, and effectively implemented across the organization.
• Drive the execution of transformative digital and technology programs, focusing on strategic integration, comprehensive change management, and effective realization of targeted outcomes.
• Regularly monitor and adjust transformation initiatives to remain responsive to evolving business requirements, market trends, and emerging digital technologies.
• Direct the collection, analysis, and dissemination of strategic insights and translate data into actionable initiatives, proactively identifying growth opportunities and mitigating potential threats.
• Act as a key strategic advisor to corporate leadership regarding mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, playing an instrumental role in expanding the organization’s influence, market presence, and operational capabilities.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and consultants, ensuring strategic coherence, operational excellence, and quality assurance across strategic engagements.
• Ensure comprehensive reporting and communication on Group Digital KPI’s, strategy progress, results, and impact to Senior Management, the Group Corporate Strategy team, and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain awareness of digital trends, emerging technologies, and industry benchmarks, incorporating these into strategic initiatives to maintain competitive advantage.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Lead, build, and nurture high-performing teams across Strategy, IT PMO, IT Financial Management & Value Tracking, Strategy & Adoption, and IT Post-Merger Integration.
• Promote professional growth and development, ensuring alignment between individual goals, departmental priorities, and organizational objectives.
• Provide effective coaching, mentorship, and leadership to team members, enhancing their strategic capabilities, professional development, and problem-solving competencies.
• Ensure teams are adequately resourced with appropriate budgets, technologies, tools, and training necessary to achieve strategic objectives.
• Identify skill gaps, professional development needs, and training opportunities, ensuring sustained high-performance standards across all managed functions.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Corporate Digital & Transformation executive leadership and broader Group Corporate Strategy team, providing critical guidance and informed recommendations.
• Define clear, measurable metrics to monitor strategy execution and transformation success, regularly assessing strategic initiatives against these metrics to drive continuous improvement and accountability.
• Identify, assess, and regularly update strategic risks and challenges across Digital & Transformation, ensuring proactive development of robust mitigation and contingency strategies.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of forward-thinking, dynamic business strategies across the Digital & Transformation functions, ensuring alignment with overall AD Ports Group objectives and market demands.
• Foster and embed a culture of strategic agility, continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Strategy or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
• Additional qualifications in Strategy or Digital would be advantageous.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in a similar role

Ideal profile will include

• Proven track record in a leadership role within a strategic delivery or similar function.
• Experience in strategy development and execution of large-scale transformation projects, preferably in a digital or technology-driven industry.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that have significantly impacted business growth and efficiency.
• Exceptional ability to develop innovative strategies and solutions.
• Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Expertise in leading change management initiatives, with a focus on digital transformation.
• Proficient in managing complex projects with cross-functional teams.