Director – Digital & Technology

AD Ports Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

AD Ports Group seeks a Senior Digital Strategy leader to own the three-horizon roadmap for Abu Dhabi Food Hub (ADFH), spanning smart operations, a digital marketplace, and an AI-powered regional platform.

You will drive product strategy, manage technology partnerships, oversee Phase I systems, and coordinate with KEZAD Group to launch a connected logistics and trade ecosystem by late 2026. Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, technology, supply chain, or related field.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in digital transformation, product management, or technology strategy roles.
• 5+ years at senior leadership level with board-level presentation experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute digital marketplace product strategy, including B2B trade enablement, tenant services, and value-added services.
• Drive development of AI-powered capabilities including demand forecasting, predictive analytics, and intelligent supply chain optimization.
• Establish data architecture foundation to support advanced analytics and future AI capabilities.
• Manage integration with Abu Dhabi Trade & Logistics Platform (ATLP) and other government systems.
• Define feature roadmaps, prioritization frameworks, and MVP scoping for iterative platform releases.
• Oversee completion of Phase I technology systems (CRM, ERP, access management) with July 2026 go‑live deadline.
• Manage technology gap assessment and procurement planning for identified system needs.
• Coordinate integration assessments between existing KEZAD Group infrastructure and new ADFH requirements.
• Lead RFP processes and vendor selection for new technology platforms and services.
• Ensure seamless coordination between technology implementation and physical facility readiness for October 2026 launch.
• Own ongoing digital marketplace platform evolution and feature releases after October 2026 launch.
• Monitor platform performance, user adoption metrics, and business outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement of tenant experience and digital service offerings.
• Manage evolution from Horizon 1 (smart operations) through Horizon 2 (marketplace) to Horizon 3 (AI-powered regional platform).
• Build and lead a small digital product team as the platform scales.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Digital transformation

Leadership

B2B platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, technology, supply chain, or related field

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

CRM

ERP

Job description

Digital Strategy for Abu Dhabi Food Hub (ADFH)

this role owns the three-horizon digital roadmap spanning smart physical operations (Horizon 1), digital marketplace platform (Horizon 2), and regional AI-powered platform (Horizon 3), while navigating critical platform partnership decisions and technology vendor relationships.

Core Responsibilities

• Define and execute digital marketplace product strategy, including B2B trade enablement, tenant services, and value-added services
• Drive development of AI-powered capabilities including demand forecasting, predictive analytics, and intelligent supply chain optimization
• Establish data architecture foundation to support advanced analytics and future AI capabilities
• Manage integration with Abu Dhabi Trade & Logistics Platform (ATLP) and other government systems
• Define feature roadmaps, prioritization frameworks, and MVP scoping for iterative platform releases
• Oversee completion of Phase I technology systems (CRM, ERP, access management) with July 2026 go‑live deadline
• Manage technology gap assessment and procurement planning for identified system needs
• Coordinate integration assessments between existing KEZAD Group infrastructure and new ADFH requirements
• Lead RFP processes and vendor selection for new technology platforms and services
• Ensure seamless coordination between technology implementation and physical facility readiness for October 2026 launch
• Own ongoing digital marketplace platform evolution and feature releases after October 2026 launch
• Monitor platform performance, user adoption metrics, and business outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement of tenant experience and digital service offerings
• Manage evolution from Horizon 1 (smart operations) through Horizon 2 (marketplace) to Horizon 3 (AI-powered regional platform)
• Build and lead a small digital product team as the platform scales

People Management Responsibilities

• Collaborate with KEZAD CTO and technology team to leverage existing infrastructure and capabilities
• Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Operations, and Administration teams to align digital strategy with operational priorities
• Manage consultant and vendor relationships including technology implementers and strategic advisors
• Coordinate across multiple Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) to ensure integrated execution
• Influence without direct authority in a matrix environment where technology team reports to ADFH CEO and KEZAD Group

Qualifications

Educational & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Technology, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years' experience in digital transformation, product management, or technology strategy roles
• 5+ years at senior leadership level (VP, Director, or equivalent) with board-level presentation experience
• Proven track record of launching digital platforms or marketplaces, preferably in B2B environments

Nature of Experience

• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Proven ability to influence and drive results in complex matrix organizations without direct authority
• Experience coordinating across multiple functional teams (Commercial, Operations, Technology)
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage aggressive timelines and competing priorities
• Balance of strategic thinking and hands‑on execution capability
• Deep experience in digital marketplace or e‑commerce platform development (B2B strongly preferred)
• Background in food & beverage, FMCG, supply chain, or logistics industries
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in supply chain, demand forecasting, or predictive analytics
• Experience with trade platforms, logistics technology, or distribution systems