Principal Lead Data Platforms Operations

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank in the UAE is seeking a Data Platforms Production Support and Operations Lead to ensure the availability and performance of enterprise data platforms. Responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations, conducting service reviews, and leading incident management. Candidates should have over 12 years of experience and strong knowledge of data technologies like Cloudera and Azure Databricks. This position offers a chance to drive continuous improvement and lead operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in production support and operations management for enterprise data platforms.
• Strong knowledge of data platform technologies such as Cloudera, Azure Databricks, Power BI, and Informatica.
• Proficiency in incident and problem management frameworks like ITIL.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high availability and performance of data platforms across environments.
• Conduct regular service review meetings with business lines.
• Lead incident and problem management processes.

Skills

Production support

Operations management

Data platform technologies (Cloudera, Azure Databricks, Power BI, Informatica)

Incident and problem management

Monitoring tools

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

Company Description

Join the UAE’s largest bank and one of the world’s largest and safest financial institutions. Our focus is to create value for our employees, customers, shareholders and communities to grow through differentiation, agility and innovation. We are looking for top talent and your success is our success. Accelerate your growth as you help us reach our goals and advance your career. Be ready to make your mark a top company, in an exciting and dynamic industry.

Job Description

Overall objectives

The Data Platforms Production Support and Operations Lead is responsible for ensuring the availability, reliability, and performance of enterprise data platforms. This role involves managing day-to-day production operations, conducting regular service reviews with business lines, and overseeing incident and problem management activities. The candidate will act as a key liaison between technical teams and business stakeholders to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Role specific responsibilities

• Ensure high availability and performance of data platforms across on-premise and cloud environments.
• Conduct regular service review meetings with business lines to discuss incidents, problems, and service performance.
• Lead incident and problem management processes, including root cause analysis and resolution tracking.
• Coordinate with infrastructure, Data platforms, and Data Engineering teams to resolve operational issues.
• Implement and enforce operational best practices, including change management and release governance.
• Support audit and compliance requirements related to production operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance platform stability and service quality.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to production support team members.

General functional responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement in productions processes frameworks
• Strong engagement with the wider bank’s service management teams for operational and process improvisation objectives

Qualifications

Core competencies required

• 12+ years of experience in production support and operations management for enterprise data platforms.
• Strong knowledge of data platform technologies including Cloudera, Azure Databricks, Power BI and Informatica.
• Experience in incident and problem management frameworks (e.g., ITIL).
• Proficiency in monitoring tools and operational dashboards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead service review meetings and drive resolution of complex issues.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience in banking or financial services industry is preferred.