Vice President Technology Infrastructure & Service Operations - Emirati Talent

Commercial Bank International; Sharjah; On-site; AED 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Commercial Bank International seeks a strategic IT Infrastructure & Service Operations Leader to direct data centre, network, and cloud environments. You will oversee incident management, DR, service governance, and vendor relationships to ensure secure, resilient, and high-performing technology services.

The role requires 12+ years in IT infrastructure, banking sector exposure, and strong expertise in Microsoft, VMware, storage, and backup technologies.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of IT infrastructure and service operations experience.
• Experience leading IT infrastructure and service operations in a banking environment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft, VMware, storage, and backup technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the delivery of IT infrastructure and network services across data centre, network, telecom, monitoring, servers, and storage.
• Manage daily and periodic IT infrastructure activities to enable business operations.
• Oversee MS 365/Azure identity and security platforms and related services.

Education

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computers or information systems

Project Management Certification

ITIL certification

Tools

Microsoft infrastructure

Virtualization platforms

SQL/Oracle/DB2 databases

Network and Telecom management

EMC/Storage systems

AS400 administration

Job description

Job Purpose:

To provide strategic leadership for IT Infrastructure and Service Operations, ensuring secure, resilient, scalable, and high-performing technology services across on-premises, hosted, and cloud environments. The role oversees infrastructure, service desk and IT operations, incident and problem management, disaster recovery, service governance, vendors, budgets, and strategic technology programs, driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and transformation while aligning IT services and capabilities with business priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To lead and direct the delivery of IT infrastructure and network services, including data centre, network and telecom services, telephony, monitoring, workstation management, servers, storage and all related software.
• To manage, review, schedule and where necessary perform daily and periodic IT infrastructure activities that help enable the business to function effectively and efficiently.
• To manage Microsoft platform M365 Platform and operations such MFA with conditional access, SSPR, Azure AD Identity Protection, Azure Privilege Identity Management, Azure ATP, MDATP, MCAS, MIP, Microsoft Endpoint Management- Intune, Azure SSO, Exchange and Office 365 Azure ATP and all its Features, Azure subscriptions & all its resources and Servers, Azure Servers, Landing Zone, Firewall, Access control, AD Connect.
• To manage VMware and All corresponding components of VMWare, Microsoft Hyper-V, Nutanix Acropolis
• To Manage Replication Solutions such as VMware SRM, SRDF, Recovery Point & Doubletake.
• To Manage Operating System such as Windows, Linux (RHEL, Ubuntu, CentOS), Linux and windows Clustering, AS400 Platform.
• To Manage Enterprise Storage such as EMC Storage, IBM Storage, EMC Data Domain, SAN, Recovery Point, Storage Replication Solutions and NAS
• To Manage the Enterprise backup solution and middleware platform such as Veritas NetBackup, IBM WAS, IIS, Tomcat, Apache, IBM HTTPD, WebLogic, Rabbit MQ.
• To manage and monitor routine operational infrastructure maintenance activities to preserve system capabilities and help ensure they function as expected.
• To manage Network and Telecommunication Services Complete Network and Security operations which includes: Switches, Router and Firewalls, IPS, VPN, F5, Antivirus & Spam Firewall, IP Telephony, DHCP, Gateway & LTM, IPAM, NAC, TACACS, ACS, VPN & WAF Network Configuration Manager, Link management and coordination, NTP, Proxy Server, Proxy & Internet, Routing, Switching. Etc.
• To manage Patch management and Software deployment.
• To lead the banks IT operational infrastructure capabilities through to delivery of underlying infrastructure technology in support of various work streams and projects in line with budget, quality, schedule and customer expectations.
• To partner with the Head of Application Services with overall responsibility for technology infrastructure planning and deployment of technology for various projects.
• To partner with the Head of Technology to develop and maintain the technology infrastructure strategy and execution for The Bank.
• To lead, plan, project manage and implement solutions, identifying opportunities for automation, cost savings, and service quality improvement.
• To provide infrastructure services vision, enable innovation and seek to leverage IT trends to create business value consistent with The Bank’s requirements and expectations.
• To develop infrastructure, architecture and operational standards in alignment with IT Governance good practices and overall Bank policies and governance process.
• To participate in the formulation of CBI’s enterprise architecture and business system plans; assessing cost and feasibility, and ensuring the plan is aligned with and supports the strategic goals of the business.
• To conduct product and vendor evaluations ensuring the adoption for fit-for-purpose and fit-for-use technologies
• To work closely with partners, build and manage strategic vendor partner relationships that create create value for the organization.
• To manage and lead infrastructure related activities for BAU, change, testing and release in line with best practices, internal policies, processes and business requirements.
• To lead, manage and maintain proper configuration management practices to support a secure and stable operational environment.
• To manage, schedule and drive infrastructure remediation activities to support ongoing requirements.
• To manage, participate and review the necessary activities to support the business in Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Disaster Recovery (DR) practices.
• To lead and enable comprehensive disaster recovery architecture, operations and practices aligned with Banking requirements and focused on redundant, highly-available, Servers, storages and other infrastructure services, application and network architectures.
• To develop, maintain and enhance Technology disaster Recovery plans and drive regular testing of these in support of regulatory and business requirements.
• To provide hands‑on technical depth that enables direct oversight, problem-solving leadership and participation for complex infrastructure implementation, system upgrades and operational troubleshooting.
• To provide leadership and ownership for the delivery of 24/7 infrastructure fit‑for‑purpose service operations.
• To lead and manage the development of controls to monitor, review and manage the identification of customer needs and help ensures that the services provided meet the needs of the business.
• To develop, manage and maintain effective working relationships with wider IT teams and business stakeholders for efficient systems support.
• To manage, schedule and review risks and mitigation activities to help enhance internal controls.
• To review ITD activities that maintain and enhance operational manuals and system documentation in area of responsibility.
• To manage, schedule and review evaluation activities to continuously enhance the processes and procedures in area of responsibility to reduce incidents and help mitigate risks, through increased consistency in task execution.
• To lead, manage and schedule activities to address identified audit and risk related observations.
• To approve, author, update, and review team level documentation to help ensure these artefacts meet quality criteria and are kept up to date.
• To participate, chair and approve wider documentation quality review activities.
• To lead the identification and pursuit of opportunities to reduce costs within IT, driving valid opportunities to the point of achieving tangible cost reduction.
• To analyse, compile and prepare financial data for senior management to help them make informed decision before committing to financial expenditure.
• To manage, schedule, review and provide the required support to ongoing projects and assist the successful completion of allocated tasks within the specified timelines.
• To lead identification, bid and delivery activities that help ensure these are correctly documented, monitored and controlled throughout.
• To appraise, approve, manage, review and schedule departmental activities, including setting milestones, objectives and KPI’s to help ensure tasks are actively managed through to fruition.
• To manage, verify and provide work direction to one or more technical or clerical staff or acts as a team lead on designated projects or assignments.
• To lead departmental activities and mange business unit heads to deliver customer requirements.
• To manage, review and schedule activities, helping to ensure these are being conducted in-line with business standards and guidelines.
• To lead management activities to help ensure reviews are correctly scheduled and conducted, for IT support capabilities covering resolution of incidents, queries and requests from various departments and business units.
• To manage, monitor and review activities that monitor, log and review supplier activities on and off site to help ensure levels of service are maintained.
• To manage, review and approve activities to analyse, manage, and review the engagement with suppliers, helping to ensure the business obtains the expected value from these partnerships.
• To mentor, coach and provide training to internal and external teams to help ensure they are competent in the utilization of products and services IT deliver to the business.
• To attend training and awareness sessions, sharing gained knowledge and positively contributing to IT’s knowledge and expertise.

Education:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computers or information systems or related field

Professional / Technical Qualifications / Diplomas:

• Microsoft infrastructure products design, implementation and operations (Server Administration, M365, Azure Infrastructure, Active Directory, Exchange…etc.)
• Virtualization Platform Design, Implementation and Management (VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Nutanix technology)
• Databases management and operation (SQL, Oracle and DB2)
• Network and Telecom management
• Storage Design, Implementation and Operation (EMC Technology)
• AS400 administration and operations.
• Project Management Certification
• ITIL certification

Experience:

• A minimum of 12+ years’ experience managing a similar department and functioning IT Infrastructure and service Operations.

Other Skills Required for the Job:

• Excellent communication skills, able to articulate complex concepts effectively to business users and external clients at all levels
• Ability to manage teams and deliver within complex projects within the designated timelines
• Keen interest in business processes and providing quality services
• Goal driven, organized and result oriented with strong attention to detail
• Analytical ability and innovative skills