Vice President - IT Business Partnering

Role Overview

Vice President - IT Business Partnering at Al Ghurair, a diversified family business group headquartered in Dubai with operations across seven industry sectors spanning more than 20 countries.

Company Overview

Al Ghurair Investment is one of the largest diversified family business groups in the Middle East, with a grassroots heritage in the United Arab Emirates spanning more than six decades since 1960. The group operates in seven distinct industry sectors: foods, resources, properties, construction, energy, mobility and ventures. Headquartered in Deira, the heart of Dubai, Al Ghurair's diversified operations employ approximately 28,000 people globally.

Role Purpose

The Vice President - IT Business Partnering is the senior technology leader accountable for the digital and technology agenda of the Al Ghurair Foods and Resources businesses and a member of the Group Digital and Technology leadership team. The role sets the direction of the business unit technology portfolio, commissions and directs IT Centres of Excellence (COEs), platform principals and delivery partners, and is jointly accountable with business leadership for the value the portfolio returns. The incumbent represents the voice of the business within IT and the voice of technology within the business at senior level, with the standing to shape commercial and operating-model decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

• Work with the IT leadership team on IT strategic planning and take overall responsibility for the management and development of Application requirements, liaising with key staff to ensure services meet business needs.
• Keep abreast of new technological developments in Applications and present proposals with recommendations to senior management that would benefit the Business Unit and Group.
• Lead transformation initiatives for the Business Unit.
• Manage the implementation of project plans, contribute towards managing project budgets, roles and responsibilities, issues and risk management, and project governance following PMO governance.
• Manage project stakeholder engagement.
• Maintain an overall view of the capabilities of Application services and contribute to continuous improvement to meet future needs.
• Develop Applications management processes with lean and efficient procedures in conjunction with other relevant teams.

Operations

• Analyze business operations and solutions to improve efficiencies.
• Drive solution assessments and drive evaluation across both business and IT teams.
• Create and manage RFP (Request for Proposal) processes.
• Drive the overall Business Unit-specific solution architecture while considering Group applications and the broader solution ecosystem.
• Monitor the roll-out of new software applications to ensure adequate business controls and limited or no issues.
• Create and oversee protocols and procedures for the use of any new software applications.
• Drive operational efficiencies and service improvement initiatives across internal teams and service partners.
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team on emerging Applications technologies as appropriate.
• Manage and drive Proofs of Concept (PoCs) as appropriate.
• Drive adoption of solutions with the broader user community.
• Measure and own adoption plans for solutions that have already gone live.
• Manage prioritization and report progress to the business executive and IT management teams.
• Participate in the design of Applications solutions working alongside specialist teams to ensure that initial and anticipated future business requirements are represented.
• Ensure compliance with IT policies, standards and strengthen internal controls.

People Management

• Partner and manage relationships with key external partners, project managers, team members, contractors, and business stakeholders to ensure integrated and successful delivery as a team.
• Manage team health by addressing team conflicts and communication problems.
• Ensure that team and team members understand their roles, their goals and are fully motivated to perform.
• Play an effective change agent role on the program, reinforcing the IT vision and business objectives.
• Actively contribute to the development of the team with target competencies and upskilling as required.
• Build industry relationships to stay abreast of latest developments, innovations and business direction.

Product and Process Improvement

• Advocate for the implementation of technology that adds value to the Group and aligns with the IT strategy.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization and implement initiatives based on prioritization in line with the overall Business Unit and IT strategy.
• Jointly work with the product owner (where applicable) to ensure solutions are fit against business requirements and user stories.
• Inculcate an agile mindset and ensure continuous improvements with multiple enhancements in line with the broader solution roadmap.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or IT.
• Minimum of 8 years' experience in managing and delivering technology solutions with specific experience in healthcare.
• Minimum of 4 years' experience managing a team.
• Industry experience across multiple industries.
• Project Management (PMP) certification is advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

Core Skills

• Digital Transformation.
• IT Project Management.
• Knowledge of system design, development, implementation, and user support principles and practices.
• Experience with database management.
• Experience with Information system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated skill in developing automated business systems.
• Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Strong process knowledge across multiple industries.
• Evidence of strong collaboration skills with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Sound general Applications background with knowledge of industry standards.
• Excellent knowledge of ICT initiatives and developments.
• Experience managing resources in a fast-moving environment and on projects with evolving requirements and accelerated timelines.
• Strong project management skills (organization and time).
• Self-learner and self-starter who can be immediately effective with ambiguity or a lack of direction.

Advanced Skills

• Business Process Design.
• Knowledge of advanced systems analysis methods, practices, and principles.
• Knowledge of cost modeling principles.
• Experience leading and facilitating training, including preparation of training materials.