Vice President – IT Operations & Infrastructure

Abu Dhabi Aviation Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 780,000; Full time

Job summary

Abu Dhabi Aviation Group seeks a seasoned executive to lead IT Operations & Infrastructure, delivering secure, resilient, scalable and cost-effective technology services across the group and its entities. You will set strategic direction, governance and performance of operations, cloud platforms, data centres, networks and IT service management.

The role requires 15+ years in IT operations leadership, extensive vendor management, and proven success transforming large multi-entity environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in IT Operations, Infrastructure and Enterprise technology leadership.
• Experience in large multi-entity environments; aviation/transport experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of data centres, networks, storage, cloud and hybrid platforms; ITSM and DR capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Group IT Operations & Infrastructure roadmap aligned with business strategy and cybersecurity requirements.
• Establish and govern a consistent Group IT operating model, service catalogue, SLAs and governance framework across subsidiaries.
• Oversee infrastructure operations including data centres, servers, storage, networks, cloud platforms and end-user computing.
• Ensure availability, performance, scalability and resilience of critical technology services; manage capacity planning, backup and DR.
• Drive modernization, standardisation and consolidation of Group technology assets and contracts.
• Lead cloud and hybrid infrastructure strategy, governance, cost optimisation and architectural standards.
• Manage relationships with major IT suppliers and vendors with SLAs, KPIs and costs.
• Embed security requirements with Cybersecurity/InfoSec to maintain compliance and reduce risk.
• Oversee asset lifecycle, CMDB, software/hardware standards and refresh strategies.
• Provide executive oversight of incident, problem, change, release and continuity processes.
• Establish dashboards and reports on service availability, incidents, SLA performance and costs.
• Oversee IT budget planning and technology investments for business value.

Skills

IT Operations

Infrastructure leadership

Vendor management

Budget management

Cybersecurity collaboration

ITIL/ISO27001

Cloud & hybrid infra

Executive leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft 365

Cloud platforms

ITSM tools

Job description

Lead the Group's IT Operations & Infrastructure function, providing secure, resilient, scalable and cost-effective technology services across ADA Group and its entities. Accountable for the strategic direction, governance and performance of the Group's technology operations, infrastructure, cloud platforms, data centres, networks, end-user services, IT service management and operational resilience capabilities. Drive enterprise-wide standardisation, consolidation, service excellence, vendor governance and technology optimisation while enabling the Group's digital transformation objectives and long-term business growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Group IT Operations & Infrastructure roadmap, ensuring alignment with business strategy, digital priorities, cybersecurity requirements and approved investment plans.
• Establish and govern a consistent Group IT operating model, service catalogue, service levels, ITSM processes and operational governance framework across subsidiaries.
• Provide leadership and oversight for infrastructure operations covering data centres, servers, storage, networks, connectivity, cloud platforms, end-user computing, collaboration platforms and workplace technology.
• Ensure the availability, performance, scalability and resilience of critical technology services through effective capacity planning, monitoring, backup, disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities.
• Drive infrastructure modernisation, standardisation and consolidation initiatives, reducing duplication and improving utilisation of Group technology capabilities, assets and contracts.
• Lead the Group's cloud and hybrid infrastructure strategy, including governance, cost optimisation, architecture standards and operational controls.
• Own and govern relationships with major IT operations suppliers, managed service providers and technology partners, ensuring effective service delivery through robust SLAs, KPIs, performance reviews, commercial controls and escalation mechanisms.
• Ensure operational security requirements are embedded within infrastructure and service operations, working closely with Cybersecurity and Information Security functions to maintain compliance and reduce operational risk.
• Establish and oversee IT asset lifecycle management, configuration management, CMDB practices, software and hardware standards, and technology refresh strategies.
• Provide executive oversight of incident, problem, change, release and service continuity management processes, ensuring critical incidents are resolved effectively and underlying root causes are addressed.
• Establish operational dashboards and executive reporting that provide visibility of service availability, incidents, SLA performance, capacity, service quality, costs, risks and key initiatives.
• Manage the IT Operations & Infrastructure budget, identifying optimisation opportunities and ensuring technology investments deliver measurable business value and operational efficiency.
• Support Group-wide technology procurement and contract rationalisation initiatives to maximise scale benefits, common standards and shared service opportunities.
• Lead operational readiness for new digital solutions, ensuring successful transition into production through appropriate support models, documentation, monitoring capabilities and service acceptance criteria.
• Build and lead a high-performing IT Operations & Infrastructure organisation through workforce planning, capability development, succession planning, knowledge management and clearly defined performance objectives.

Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline; postgraduate qualification or executive leadership certification is an advantage.
• 15+ years of progressive experience leading IT Operations, Infrastructure and Enterprise Technology functions, including significant experience in senior leadership roles within large and complex organisations.
• Demonstrated success leading IT operations across multi-entity, enterprise-scale environments, preferably within aviation, transportation, engineering, or other safety-critical and mission-critical industries.
• Strong experience overseeing enterprise infrastructure environments, including data centres, networks, servers, storage, cloud and hybrid platforms, Microsoft 365, enterprise technologies, ITSM and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Proven experience establishing, transforming and scaling Group or shared-service IT operating models, including technology standardisation, vendor consolidation and service optimisation initiatives.
• Strong financial, commercial and vendor management capability, including budget ownership, contract negotiations, commercial governance and technology cost optimisation.
• Sound knowledge of ITIL, ISO 27001, business continuity, disaster recovery, enterprise architecture and technology governance frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience leading major technology incidents, large-scale infrastructure transformation programmes and engagement with executive leadership stakeholders.
• Professional certifications such as ITIL, CISSP/CISM, PMP, TOGAF or relevant cloud certifications are desirable.