IT Director - Infrastructure, Security & Digital Transformation (ITD001)

Foreground LLC; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading diversified group in Saudi Arabia seeks an accomplished IT Director to drive enterprise systems and digital transformation. The ideal candidate will possess extensive leadership experience in IT, capable of aligning technology with business strategies and ensuring operational continuity. Responsibilities include managing IT infrastructure, developing cybersecurity frameworks, and optimizing enterprise systems across the organization. Strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise IT leadership roles.
• 5+ years in director-level or strategic IT roles with P&L responsibilities.
• Strong background in infrastructure architecture and cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute multi-year IT strategy aligned with strategic objectives.
• Oversee modernization of legacy infrastructure and cybersecurity strategy.
• Lead the upgrade of ERP and enterprise-wide solutions.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Vendor management

Project delivery

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Master's in IT Management

Tools

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics)

Job description

Foreground is partnering with a leading diversified group in Saudi Arabia to appoint an accomplished IT Director with deep expertise in enterprise systems, infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity governance, and digital transformation leadership.

As the organization expands in scale and complexity, the IT Director will take ownership of building a resilient, secure, and future-ready digital environment. The role requires a strategic technology leader who can operate at both boardroom and system levels, crafting IT strategy, executing infrastructure improvements, and overseeing the secure delivery of enterprise-wide systems. This role is instrumental in transforming IT from a support function into a business enabler.

Role Overview

The IT Director will lead all technology operations across the group, ensuring digital readiness, operational continuity, and strategic alignment with business objectives. The position is responsible for overseeing IT infrastructure (on-prem and cloud), enterprise platforms (e.g. ERP, CRM, HCM), cybersecurity policies, vendor management, and team capability development.

The ideal candidate will bring experience designing secure enterprise architectures, driving large-scale IT initiatives, and delivering integrated systems that improve cross-functional efficiency. This is a highly visible leadership role reporting into executive management and collaborating closely with business unit heads to embed technology at the heart of operations.

Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy & Governance

• Define and execute a multi-year IT strategy aligned with the groups strategic objectives and operational growth.
• Establish IT governance frameworks to ensure compliance with regulatory, cybersecurity, and risk standards.
• Act as the internal advisor to the executive team on digital infrastructure, systems integration, and data security.
• Infrastructure Management & Optimization
• Lead the modernization of legacy infrastructure, ensuring high availability, security, and scalability.
• Oversee network architecture, data centers, servers, endpoint security, and business continuity systems.
• Drive the adoption of cloud-based platforms and hybrid solutions where applicable.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Control
• Design and implement end-to-end cybersecurity strategies, including threat detection, incident response, and recovery.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and internal information security standards.
• Regularly assess IT vulnerabilities and implement mitigation plans in coordination with external advisors and regulators.

Enterprise Systems & Digital Transformation

• Lead the upgrade, integration, and implementation of ERP and enterprise-wide solutions across functions (Finance, HR, Operations, Supply Chain).
• Evaluate new technologies that enhance operational agility and digital workflows.
• Ensure all systems are optimized for performance, reporting accuracy, and user accessibility.
• Project Delivery & Vendor Management
• Oversee the planning, budgeting, and execution of all IT projects with clear KPIs, timelines, and ROI metrics.
• Manage vendor selection, contract negotiation, and SLA performance for infrastructure and software providers.
• Introduce standardization across software/hardware procurement and licensing agreements.

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing IT team covering infrastructure, support, cybersecurity, and development functions.
• Establish succession planning, skill enhancement, and cross-training frameworks for long-term team resilience.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and service orientation within the IT function.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• A Masters in IT Management, Business Administration, or Cybersecurity is strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise IT leadership roles.
• At least 5 years in a director-level or strategic IT role with P&L or enterprise transformation responsibilities.
• Strong background in infrastructure architecture, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or Dynamics), and cybersecurity.
• Proven experience in managing cross-functional digital programs across a distributed enterprise.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Strong vendor management, project delivery, and budget ownership.
• Deep knowledge of risk management, IT compliance, and security best practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.