Senior Data Protection Specialist - Governance

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Group seeks a Senior Data Protection Specialist to lead governance for enterprise data. You will shape frameworks for data quality, protection, privacy, and risk, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements across ADNOC Group.

The role spans business, digital, security, and technology teams to translate governance into practical controls. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in data governance, strong enterprise architecture knowledge, and experience with governance audits, data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Security, or equivalent.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in a major organization, preferably with consulting exposure to international markets.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement an enterprise-wide data governance framework covering data quality, information security, privacy, and protection.
• Establish policies, standards, procedures, and governance mechanisms for Group-level enterprise data management.
• Define governance requirements to promote consistent handling and protection of information assets.

Skills

Enterprise data governance

Data protection

Data privacy

Data quality management

Digital governance

Information asset management

Data stewardship

Enterprise information architecture

Information security

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Business Continuity

Vendor assessment

SLA negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology/Computer Science/Information Security

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Senior Data Protection Specialist - Governance

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Industry: I T and Services

Function: Risk Management-Compliance

Experience: Minimum 10 years of relevant experience

Job Type: Full-time

Job Overview

The Senior Data Protection Specialist - Governance opportunity in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates within the I T and Services industry focuses on establishing enterprise data governance, information protection, digital risk, and regulatory governance practices across ADNOC Group. The role develops and maintains frameworks that improve the consistency, quality, security, privacy, accountability, and business value of enterprise information assets while ensuring data and technology practices remain aligned with corporate and regulatory requirements.

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Abu Dhabi

Industry: I T and Services

Function: Risk Management-Compliance

Salary: 35000-50000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Abu Dhabi; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

Enterprise data is a strategic asset that requires consistent ownership, controls, quality standards, protection measures, and risk oversight. This position provides specialist leadership for the governance structures that determine how information is classified, protected, managed, monitored, and used throughout ADNOC Group. Working across business, operational, digital, security, and technology teams, the Senior Data Protection Specialist translates governance requirements into practical policies and controls. The position also addresses escalated data quality and protection concerns, maintains digital risk oversight, and helps ensure regulatory obligations are incorporated into enterprise data management practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement an enterprise-wide data governance framework and supporting program covering data quality, information security, privacy, and protection.
• Establish policies, standards, procedures, and governance mechanisms for Group-level enterprise data management.
• Define governance requirements that promote consistent handling and protection of information assets across business and operational environments.
• Work between business, operations, and technology teams to ensure requirements for protecting sensitive information are clearly defined, communicated, understood, and incorporated into operational planning.
• Resolve data governance matters escalated by representatives across business and operational areas and coordinate resources required to address identified issues.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of enterprise information assets, including authoritative systems, ownership responsibilities, and relevant accountability structures.
• Support implementation and adoption of established data quality and data protection standards throughout the enterprise.
• Define data governance roles and responsibilities and establish clear accountability for stewardship of ADNOC Group information assets.
• Define Enterprise Architecture Information Principles and establish standards for their implementation and inclusion within annual assurance activities.
• Establish an enterprise digital Risk Management Framework with appropriate assessment methodologies, controls, and operating practices.
• Support risk champions and practice owners with identification, assessment, management, and reporting of digital risks.
• Maintain relevant risk registers and coordinate periodic reviews in accordance with Enterprise Risk Management requirements.
• Monitor evolving data and digital governance requirements and assess their implications for enterprise data protection practices.
• Build productive relationships with internal functions, senior stakeholders, Group Companies, government authorities, shareholders, consultants, technology providers, and other external parties.
• Provide specialist guidance when assessing new technology developments and their applicability to enterprise data protection.
• Identify relevant technology vendors and evaluate solutions that can strengthen information governance and protection capabilities.
• Provide technical expertise for RFPs and RFQs related to data protection services and technologies.
• Guide preparation and review of tendering and contractual documentation to support cost-effective acquisition of suitable technology services.
• Participate in negotiations covering contractual provisions and Service Level Agreements while protecting organizational interests and required service standards.
• Plan, supervise, and coordinate assigned activities and resources against functional objectives.
• Develop staff capabilities through technical guidance, coaching, knowledge transfer, and relevant skills development.
• Provide input into departmental and functional budgets and support implementation of approved work plans.
• Review significant expenditure variances and contribute to effective cost and performance control.
• Implement approved policies, processes, systems, standards, and procedures in accordance with company and applicable international requirements.
• Contribute to performance objectives and measurement requirements under the corporate performance framework.
• Develop tools, techniques, and governance improvements that increase operational quality and efficiency.
• Benchmark internal governance processes against recognized practices and identify opportunities for more effective controls and workflows.
• Apply relevant HSE, sustainability, corporate, and legal requirements while performing assigned responsibilities.
• Prepare inputs for management information systems, governance reports, risk updates, and progress reporting.
• Engage senior management on Enterprise Architecture, data governance, information protection, and adoption of relevant technologies.
• Coordinate with counterparts across ADNOC Group Companies on enterprise governance and architecture requirements.
• Participate in technical engagements with contractors, consultants, suppliers, international technology providers, and telecommunications organizations.
• Support benchmarking and knowledge exchange with relevant external organizations and industry participants.

Ideal Profile

The successful candidate should hold a Bachelor 's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Security, or an equivalent discipline. A Master 's degree is preferred. At least 10 years of relevant experience within a major organization is required, ideally including consulting exposure to international markets. The background should include substantial involvement in large-scale data governance audits, governance management systems, oversight activities, supervisory responsibilities, or enterprise transformation leadership. Candidates should demonstrate a strong practical track record in data governance and understand the business and technology challenges associated with managing and protecting enterprise information assets. Knowledge of leading digital governance and management frameworks, regulatory requirements, data protection practices, and emerging governance trends is essential. The position also requires familiarity with risk management, Business Continuity, technology architecture, and enterprise technology solutions. Strong consulting capability is important, particularly in change management, stakeholder communication, cultural transformation, and performance measurement. The successful candidate is expected to operate as a recognized subject matter expert in digital governance and data governance, capable of advising stakeholders while translating complex governance and protection requirements into workable enterprise controls.

Skills Set

• Enterprise data governance
• Data protection
• Data privacy
• Data quality management
• Digital governance
• Information asset management
• Data stewardship
• Enterprise information architecture
• Enterprise Architecture Information Principles
• Information security
• Sensitive data protection
• Governance framework development
• Governance audits and assurance
• Digital risk management
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Risk assessment methodologies
• Risk registers
• Regulatory compliance
• Business Continuity
• Technology architecture
• Data governance policies and standards
• Information asset inventory
• Governance management systems
• Change management
• Performance measurement
• Enterprise transformation
• RFP and RFQ development
• Vendor assessment
• SLA negotiation
• Technology evaluation
• Stakeholder management
• Management reporting
• Continuous improvement

Why Join Us

This role provides the opportunity to influence how critical enterprise information is governed, protected, and transformed into a trusted business asset across a large and technologically complex energy group. Its scope spans data quality, privacy, security, digital risk, Enterprise Architecture, regulatory governance, and technology modernization. For an experienced data governance professional, the position offers substantial scope to shape enterprise standards, strengthen accountability for information assets, address emerging protection requirements, and contribute to the governance foundations supporting ADNOC Group 's continuing digital transformation.

About the Company

ADNOC Group is a major integrated energy organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Its operations increasingly rely on secure, trusted, and well-governed enterprise data to support digital transformation, operational decision-making, technology modernization, and long-term business performance.