Program Director – Data, AI & Digital Transformation | Abu Dhabi, UAE

Uasmart; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Uasmart in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Program Director with 15+ years of leading large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, or Technology programmes. You will drive senior leadership, governance, stakeholder and contract management across UAE/GCC government and enterprise clients.

You will lead Data and AI transformation initiatives and oversee enterprise data platforms, governance, and tools like Azure, Fabric, Purview and Power BI to deliver strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional experience.
• Proven experience leading large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, or Technology programmes.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; Arabic is mandatory.
• Strong executive stakeholder and C-level management experience.
• Proven programme governance and Steering Committee leadership experience.
• Strong commercial and contract management expertise.
• Experience leading Data and AI transformation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of data governance and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience with: Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Purview, Power BI.
• UAE/GCC government project experience.
• Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar transformation programmes.
• Strong track record of delivering strategic outcomes for government or enterprise clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, and Technology programmes.
• Provide strategic direction and executive leadership across programme delivery.
• Manage executive and C-level stakeholders.
• Lead programme governance and Steering Committee activities.
• Manage commercial relationships, contracts, and delivery partners.
• Lead Data and AI transformation initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise data platform and data governance programmes.
• Provide strategic oversight of Microsoft Azure, Fabric, Purview, and Power BI initiatives.
• Manage programme budgets, risks, schedules, dependencies, and delivery performance.
• Establish and maintain programme governance frameworks.
• Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and programme updates.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and delivery teams.
• Ensure strategic outcomes and business objectives are achieved.
• Manage transformation programmes involving government and enterprise clients.

Skills

Programme Leadership

Data Transformation

AI Transformation

Digital Transformation

Enterprise Data Platforms

Data Governance

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Fabric

Microsoft Purview

Power BI

Programme Governance

Steering Committees

Commercial Management

Contract Management

Risk Management

Budget Management

Executive Stakeholder Management

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Fabric

Microsoft Purview

Power BI

Job description

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Onsite
Experience: 15+ Years
Language: Arabic and English – Arabic Mandatory

• Information Technology (IT) & Software
• Business Development
• Engineering & Technical
• Government & Public Sector

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Program Director with 15+ years of experience leading large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, or Technology programmes. The role requires senior-level leadership across programme governance, executive stakeholder management, commercial and contract management, delivery, budgets, risks, and strategic transformation.

The successful candidate will lead complex Data and AI transformation programmes, working with government or enterprise stakeholders across the UAE/GCC. Strong knowledge of enterprise data platforms, data governance, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Purview, and Power BI will be essential for this role.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a professional seeking continued career growth in enterprise technology transformation, Data & AI strategy, and government digital transformation. Relevant professional certifications and executive-level training can further support leadership development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, and Technology programmes.
• Provide strategic direction and executive leadership across programme delivery.
• Manage executive and C-level stakeholders.
• Lead programme governance and Steering Committee activities.
• Manage commercial relationships, contracts, and delivery partners.
• Lead Data and AI transformation initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise data platform and data governance programmes.
• Provide strategic oversight of Microsoft Azure, Fabric, Purview, and Power BI initiatives.
• Manage programme budgets, risks, schedules, dependencies, and delivery performance.
• Establish and maintain programme governance frameworks.
• Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and programme updates.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and delivery teams.
• Ensure strategic outcomes and business objectives are achieved.
• Manage transformation programmes involving government and enterprise clients.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional experience.
• Proven experience leading large-scale Data, Analytics, Digital Transformation, or Technology programmes.
• Fluency in Arabic and English; Arabic is mandatory.
• Strong executive stakeholder and C-level management experience.
• Proven programme governance and Steering Committee leadership experience.
• Strong commercial and contract management expertise.
• Experience leading Data and AI transformation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of data governance and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience with:
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Microsoft Fabric
  • Microsoft Purview
  • Power BI
• Strong risk, budget, and delivery management capabilities.
• UAE/GCC government project experience.
• Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar transformation programmes is preferred.
• Strong track record of delivering strategic outcomes for government or enterprise clients.

Required Technical & Leadership Skills

Programme Leadership | Data Transformation | AI Transformation | Digital Transformation | Enterprise Data Platforms | Data Governance | Microsoft Azure | Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Purview | Power BI | Programme Governance | Steering Committees | Commercial Management | Contract Management | Risk Management | Budget Management | Executive Stakeholder Management

Salary, Benefits & Career Growth

The source job description does not specify a salary or compensation package, so no salary estimate has been added.

This senior leadership position offers significant exposure to Data & AI transformation, enterprise data platforms, digital transformation, government technology programmes, and executive-level programme governance. Relevant cloud, data, AI, programme management, and leadership certifications can support continued professional development and progression toward senior transformation and technology leadership positions.