Director of Information Technology

Kempinski Hotels SA; Manama; On-site; BHD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kempinski Hotels SA in Bahrain seeks a Director of Information Technology to lead the pre-opening and ongoing IT strategy for a luxury property in Manama. You will oversee core hospitality systems, network infrastructure, security, and vendor management while collaborating with MEP and site teams.

The role requires strong English, Bahrain regulatory awareness, and 3–5+ years in IT leadership within luxury hotels, with pre-opening experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5+ years in an IT leadership role within a luxury hotel environment; pre-opening experience preferred.
• Experience with Opera PMS, Simphony POS, RMS, and guest Wi‑Fi management.
• Knowledge of Bahrain data protection regulations and PCI-DSS security standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT strategy, installation, deployment, security, and ongoing management of hotel technology during pre-opening and operations.
• Oversee core hospitality systems: Opera PMS, Simphony POS, RMS, Electronic Keycard Access, Guest Wi‑Fi, PABX/Telephony, IPTV.
• Design high-availability network architectures (Cisco, Windows Server, VLANs, firewalls) and ensure 24/7 support.
• Manage vendor SLAs, software licenses, warranties, and OpEx/CapEx budgets for tech acquisitions.
• Recruit, onboard, and train the IT team; establish helpdesk workflows and staff training on PMS/POS and cybersecurity.

Skills

English fluency

Arabic (conversational)

IT leadership

Pre-opening project experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Information Technology/Network Engineering or related field

Tools

Opera PMS

Oracle Simphony POS

RMS

Guest Wi-Fi (HSIA)

PABX/Telephony

IPTV systems

Cisco networking

Windows Server / Active Directory

Job description

Director of Information Technology

Department: Information Technology (IT)

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Kingdom of Bahrain - Manama

Description

Leads the strategy, installation, deployment, security, and ongoing management of all technology infrastructure for the luxury property during its pre-opening phase and into full operations. The role acts as the primary technical authority ensuring all hotel infrastructure meets Kempinski brand standards, local data regulations, and municipal compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening Technology Deployment & Handover

• Oversee the complete lifecycle of IT setup, including hardware installation, software configuration, system integration, and rigorous testing prior to launch.
• Deploy core hospitality systems: Opera PMS, Simphony POS, Revenue Management Systems (RMS), Electronic Keycard Access, Guest Wi-Fi (HSIA), PABX/Telephony, and IPTV systems.
• Work closely with MEP contractors, network consultants, and site developers during cable laying, server room setup, network rack installation, and commissioning.

Infrastructure, Uptime & Operations

• Design and implement local high-availability network architectures (Cisco networking, Microsoft Server environments, VLANs, and firewall configurations).
• Establish preventive maintenance and 24/7 technical support operations to ensure continuous system uptime across guest and Back-of-House (BOH) zones.

Data Security, Compliance & Disaster Recovery

• Implement end-to-end cybersecurity protocols, role-based access controls, data backup frameworks, and business continuity/disaster recovery plans.
• Ensure strict adherence to Kempinski corporate IT standards, PCI-DSS payment security compliance, and Bahrain local data protection regulations.

Vendor, Procurement & Budget Management

• Administer vendor SLAs, software licensing, system warranties, and maintenance contracts.
• Manage departmental Operating Expenses (OpEx) and pre-opening Capital Expenditure (CapEx) budgets for all hardware and tech acquisitions.

User Support, Training & Team Leadership

• Recruit, onboard, and train the IT support team.
• Establish helpdesk workflows and deliver hotel-wide staff training on PMS/POS usage, core operational software, and cybersecurity awareness.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

What Makes You a Great Fit; Who We’re Looking For

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5+ years in an IT leadership role within a luxury hotel environment. Proven pre-opening hotel installation experience is strongly preferred.
  • Core Hospitality Systems: Opera PMS, Oracle Simphony POS, Guest Wi-Fi management, IPTV, PABX.
  • Network Infrastructure: Cisco switches/routers, enterprise firewalls, VLAN structuring, server virtualization (Hyper-V / VMware), Active Directory.
• Regional/Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Middle East / GCC telecom standards and Bahrain data privacy laws.
• Languages: Business fluency in English is mandatory; conversational Arabic is an advantage.

Why Join Kempinski

Kempinski emphasises talent development and offers career progression within its global network, with properties in over 30 countries. There are opportunities to work in diverse cultural environments whilst continuing your professional growth. We are proud to foster a culture where employees feel valued, heard, and are empowered to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Be part of a legacy, build your future. Discover the possibilities at Kempinski.