Manager – Digital Products, Marine Services

Role Overview

Manager – Digital Products, Marine Services at AD Ports Group. Responsible for the end-to-end development, integration, lifecycle management, and continuous enhancement of digital products, OT-enabled maritime solutions, and emerging technology capabilities across shipping and maritime services, ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational excellence.

Role Purpose

Lead the development, deployment, and optimization of digital and operational technology solutions across maritime assets, vessels, and services. Drive the integration of IoT, digital twins, AI, VTS, and emerging technologies to enhance operational visibility, safety, asset reliability, and decision-making while managing vendors, teams, and technology partnerships to deliver business-critical maritime platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Technology & Maritime Assets

• Lead the implementation and lifecycle management of OT-enabled digital solutions across maritime assets, including vessels and related operational environments.
• Drive the deployment of IoT, sensor-based monitoring, CCTV, communication systems, and connected vessel technologies to enhance operational visibility, safety, reliability, and asset performance.
• Oversee digital twin initiatives for vessels and maritime assets, enabling real-time situational awareness, predictive insights, simulation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Manage and enhance Vessel Traffic Service/System (VTS) capabilities, including integration with maritime surveillance, communication, monitoring, and decision-support platforms to improve vessel traffic safety and operational coordination.
• Identify, prioritize, and implement AI use cases for maritime operations, including anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, voyage and fuel optimization, safety monitoring, and operational automation.
• Collaborate with vessel operations, engineering, IT, cybersecurity, vendors, and business stakeholders to ensure OT solutions are secure, scalable, integrated, and aligned with maritime operational requirements.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies such as edge computing, autonomous systems, advanced analytics, computer vision, 5G/next-generation connectivity, and intelligent automation to support maritime asset modernization and future-ready operations.

Product Development & Management

• Lead the full lifecycle of digital products, from ideation and design to development, deployment, and continuous enhancement.
• Develop a comprehensive digital product roadmap in alignment with business needs and emerging trends.
• Oversee digital solution development, testing, and performance optimization to ensure scalability, security, and reliability.
• Understand the business context and technologies that serve the industry of shipping and maritime services.

Technology & Integration

• Ensure seamless integration of digital solutions with internal and external systems, optimizing interoperability.
• Oversee API development and third-party integrations to enhance system connectivity and user experience.
• Work closely with IT and cybersecurity teams to maintain compliance with security and data protection standards.

People Management

• Manage the performance of direct reports, provide constructive feedback, and recognize achievements.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination among team members, as well as with other departments and external partners.
• Identify skill gaps and training requirements for the teams to ensure consistent high performance.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach; assign accountabilities; set objectives, establish priorities, and monitor and evaluate results.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage technology vendors, system integrators, OEMs, and strategic partners across OT, IoT, VTS, digital twin, CCTV, communications, and AI initiatives, ensuring clear scope, delivery accountability, service quality, and value realization.
• Establish and monitor vendor performance, support models, service level agreements, contract deliverables, technology roadmaps, and continuous improvement plans for critical maritime digital and OT platforms.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Master's degree is a plus
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in digital products, technology delivery, maritime systems, OT-enabled solutions, or a similar leadership role
• Experience as a technology or digital product leader in a relevant product, operational, customer, maritime, or enabling segment
• Experience in Shipping and Maritime Services and deep understanding of technologies and market trends within the industry
• Hands-on or leadership experience with maritime OT systems, vessel technologies, VTS, IoT platforms, digital twin solutions, CCTV, communications systems, and operational data platforms
• Experience identifying, prioritizing, and implementing AI and emerging technology use cases that improve maritime operations, safety, asset reliability, and decision-making
• Strong experience managing vendors, system integrators, OEMs, technology partners, contracts, service levels, and delivery governance for business-critical technology platforms
• Proven experience leading large-scale software projects from conception to deployment
• Deep understanding of industry trends and client needs in creating value proposition for the client and vision for the tribe
• Strong technical background across software platforms, cloud technologies, integrations, data platforms, cybersecurity, OT/IT convergence, and connected asset technologies
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and DevOps practices
• Professional certifications or training in maritime technology, OT/ICS, IoT, AI, cybersecurity, product management, or vendor governance are an added advantage

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent English language skills
• Arabic is an added advantage
• Strong communication skills across different areas (commercial, finance, etc.)
• Servant leadership qualities
• Ability to persuade and lead diverse people
• Strong analytical skills and fact-based decision-making
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to prioritize
• Skilled and comfortable in giving and receiving feedback
• Critical thinking and ability to find new solutions
• Belief in a non-hierarchical culture, transparency, and trust in squads