Job Title:
Project Manager – International Digital Transformation Programs
Location:
Abu Dhabi - Onsite
About the Company
We are a dynamic and fast-growing AI & IT company specialising in cutting-edge technology solutions for businesses of all sizes. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, and motivated Project Manager – International Digital Transformation Programs to join our team.
About the Role
We are seeking a high-authority, highly disciplined Project Manager with a proven technical background, PMP certification, and a documented history of delivering programs valued above USD 20 million across multiple countries.
This individual must demonstrate:
- Strong executive presence and world-class presentation skills
- Verifiable leadership of large, complex digital transformation programs
- Ability to manage aggressive delivery timelines in politically sensitive environments
- Technical depth across software, cloud, cybersecurity, integration, and infrastructure
- The ability to operate confidently in multilingual international settings (Arabic, English, French)
This is a command-and-control leadership role requiring someone who can enforce discipline, communicate confidently with ministers and CEOs, and maintain full ownership of delivery outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Project Governance & Execution (Strict, Zero-Slippage Approach)
- Lead multimillion-dollar programs (>USD 20M) from initiation to closure.
- Develop and enforce full PMPs: scope, WBS, budget, schedule, risk, quality, procurement, communications, and change management.
- Maintain strict control of baselines with non-negotiable adherence to contractual and PMO standards.
- Maintain RAID logs, SOW compliance matrices, weekly executive dashboards, and audit-ready documentation.
2. Technical Oversight & Engineering Leadership
- Validate technical designs (architecture, data flow, cyber controls, DR, API integrations, cloud infrastructure) with authority.
- Translate business requirements into highly detailed technical workstreams.
- Lead design reviews, UAT cycles, go-live readiness, and final acceptance processes.
- Challenge technical assumptions and enforce high-quality engineering output.
3. Leadership of Large, Multinational Teams
- Manage and control teams of 20–100+ across engineering, cloud, QA, DevOps, operations, and vendors.
- Set strict KPIs, enforce accountability frameworks, and maintain detailed performance tracking.
- Lead multicultural delivery environments across GCC, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
- Demonstrated ability to turn around failing projects, stabilize delivery, and impose structure.
4. Executive-Level Presentation & Stakeholder Management
Critical Requirements
The candidate must have proven experience presenting to:
- Ministers, Director-Generals, Undersecretaries
- Aviation and border security authorities
- Executive steering committees and boards
- International partners and regulatory bodies
They must demonstrate:
- Creation of high-quality slide decks, dashboards, and summary reports
- Clear articulation of risks, architecture, timelines, and financial impacts
- Ability to present complex technical information in a structured, authoritative manner
- Confidence and clarity under pressure, during escalations, and during crisis scenarios
- Past presentation samples or records may be requested.
5. Vendor, Contract & Compliance Oversight
- Manage multiple vendors and subcontractors, enforcing KPIs, SLAs, penalties, and delivery obligations.
- Ensure compliance with ISO, NIST, ICAO, GDPR/PDPL, cybersecurity, and government requirements.
- Lead formal acceptance cycles, readiness reviews, and contract closure documentation.
Required Background & Qualifications (Strict Requirements)
1. Certifications & Delivery Methodology Expertise
- Mandatory PMP certification
- PgMP, PMI-ACP, Prince2 Practitioner preferred
- Evidence of applying PMI methodology in large, complex digital programs
2. Mandatory Technical Background
Candidate must have held a previous hands-on technical role, such as:
- Software Engineer / Technical Lead
- Systems / Cloud / Infrastructure Engineer
- Solutions Architect
- Network or Security Engineer
Must demonstrate real experience (not theoretical) in:
- Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Private Cloud)
- Microservices, APIs, integrations, enterprise data flows
- DevOps and CI/CD pipelines
Cybersecurity, encryption, PKI, IAM
DR/BCP, HA architectures, NOC/SOC operations
The above will be validated during interviews.
3. Proven Leadership & Delivery Track Record (With Evidence)
Candidate must show documented proof of:
- Leading at least two programs valued above USD 20M
- Delivering large government systems, national digital platforms, border/aviation systems, or national registries
- Managing multi-country implementations and multicultural teams
- Completing complex projects under aggressive schedules and political oversight
- Prior experience recovering a delayed or failing project
- Strong record of hitting deadlines, budgets, and KPI targets
Evidence may include:
- Approved PMO reports
- Contract references
- Steering committee presentations
- Letters of recommendation
- Delivery summaries
4. Multilingual Communication (Highly Preferred)
Because this role spans multiple international clients, we strongly prefer candidates with effective communication in:
English – Mandatory
- For executive communication, reporting, contract management, and presentations.
Arabic – Strong Advantage
- Ability to manage GCC ministries, immigration/border authorities, and government stakeholders.
- Clear reading and writing for formal letters, documentation, and risk/issue reports.
French – Strong Advantage
- For managing large-scale African government programs (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, West/Central Africa, etc.).
- Ability to present and negotiate in French-speaking environments.
Candidates who speak all three languages will be prioritised.
5. Presentation, Communication & Leadership Style
Must demonstrate
- Exceptional public speaking and presentation capability
- Ability to simplify complex technical topics for senior leadership
- Firm, decisive leadership with the ability to impose structure and discipline
- Strategic communication under pressure, during escalations, and with political sensitivity
- Proven record of influencing decision-makers and securing approvals
Preferred Attributes
- Strong financial management: budgets, burn rates, forecasting, and ROI reporting.
- Ability to travel internationally for extended engagements.
- Resilience, maturity, cultural awareness, and strong ethical conduct.
Why This Role Matters
You will be leading the largest and most sensitive digital programs with national-level impact.
This role requires someone with uncompromising delivery standards, technical authority, and multilingual executive capability—a leader who can manage complex, politically sensitive programs valued above USD 20 million with confidence and precision.
Data Protection & Privacy Statement
By applying for this role, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal data in accordance with the UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 (PDPL). Your information will be used only for recruitment purposes, kept secure, and retained only as long as necessary. You may request access, correction, or deletion of your data at any time by contacting our HR Department.
Your data will not be shared with third parties except where required for recruitment and with appropriate safeguards