VP - IT Strategy, Governance & Innovation

Role Overview

Vice President of IT Strategy, Governance & Innovation at flydubai. This role leads the development of the IT and digital operating model, driving digital transformation with agility, speed, and innovation through coordinated business partnerships, enterprise architecture management, IT portfolio oversight, and vendor contract governance.

Role Purpose

To establish and execute a three-year rolling IT strategy aligned with corporate objectives, design and implement an IT operating model that accelerates digital business capabilities, govern the IT portfolio and investments, build an innovation ecosystem, and develop enterprise architecture and talent practices that position flydubai as a digitally mature, future-proof organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Lead the development of a continuous three-year rolling business IT strategy aligned with flydubai corporate strategy.
• Build a strategic roadmap, investment plans, and strategic IT portfolio.
• Develop a robust selection framework and processes (including ITIL, COBIT, PMI, Scrum, SaFe agile, and DevSecOps) for delivering IT capabilities.

Operating Model & Transformation

• Oversee the design and implementation of the IT operating model.
• Partner with enterprise business to deliver digital transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with the business to identify strategic business use cases.
• Engage with technology partners to conduct proof of value assessments.
• Enhance the airline's digital transformation initiatives.

Enterprise Architecture

• Provide leadership and develop the Enterprise Architecture practice within IT.
• Adhere to architecture principles, standards, reusability, and cost optimization.
• Take a holistic approach with focus on the big picture.
• Ensure vendor products are aligned with flydubai architecture standards.
• Lead continuous improvements and application modernization initiatives.
• Eliminate or reduce technology debt and ensure the IT landscape is future-proof.

Portfolio & Governance

• Oversee governance of IT Portfolio Management.
• Seek investment approvals.
• Manage the function of the project office.
• Ensure projects are delivered to strict quality, budget, and time constraints.

Innovation Ecosystem

• Develop the IT innovation ecosystem initiative to launch flydubai's Innovation Lab.
• Create strategic partnerships with universities, Dubai-based Innovation Labs, and start-ups/accelerators.
• Present business problems and challenges to start-ups and universities.
• Select start-up partners based on proof of value.
• Incubate technology-led innovative solutions leading to successful product implementation.
• Source and develop strategic relationships with technology partners.
• Foster an innovation ecosystem within IT.
• Extend professional services to develop in-house skills on emerging technologies.
• Develop innovative business solutions.

Talent Management

• Assist in the development of training programs aimed at upskilling IT talent.
• Manage IT talent development.
• Encourage creative recognition and reward programs.
• Nurture top performers.
• Promote a culture of high performance with a focus on the UAE national development programme.

Information Security

• Read and comply with ISR policies of the Company.
• Diligently report any weakness or incidents to the respective Line Manager or the Information Security team.
• Complete all required ISR awareness sessions.
• Follow associated guidelines in day-to-day business operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience across diverse IT functions.
• 10+ years in IT leadership roles within a large multinational organisation, preferably in the airline industry.
• Proven experience developing and executing IT strategy, architecture, and project portfolio governance.
• Experience in developing and leading innovation programmes within a large corporate environment.
• Experience in developing innovation ecosystem and managing strategic partnerships.
• Experience leading talent management and development programmes within an IT function.
• Fluent in English.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Decision Making
• Team work
• Effective Communication
• Customer Focus
• Inspiring & Developing Others
• Personal Accountability & Commitment to achieve
• Resilience and Flexibility (Can do attitude)