Program Director

Role: Program Director – Data & AI Transformation

Domain: Government / Public Sector Digital Transformation

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE – Onsite

Employment Type: Full-Time / FTE

Experience: Senior Leadership / Enterprise Transformation

We are looking for an experienced Program Director – Data & AI Transformation to lead large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives across Data, AI, Technology, and Digital Innovation for a major government-sector organization in the UAE.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in managing complex enterprise transformation programs, engaging with C-suite and senior government stakeholders, defining Data & AI strategies, establishing governance frameworks, and building scalable Data & AI capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Governance

• Lead large-scale enterprise transformation programs from strategy through execution and benefits realization.
• Establish and manage program governance frameworks, steering committees, governance forums, and operating rhythms.
• Provide delivery oversight across multiple workstreams, managing scope, timelines, quality, risks, dependencies, and budgets.
• Drive escalation management and resolution of critical program issues.
• Provide executive-level reporting covering program progress, risks, financials, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Ensure quality assurance and adherence to enterprise standards.

Data & AI Strategy

• Define and execute enterprise Data & AI strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize AI and Data use cases based on business value, feasibility, and strategic importance.
• Develop AI operating models, governance frameworks, and transformation roadmaps.
• Drive innovation initiatives and adoption of emerging AI and Data technologies.
• Establish mechanisms to measure business impact, value realization, and ROI from Data & AI investments.

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Strategy

• Provide strategic direction on enterprise architecture and technology alignment across transformation programs.
• Ensure solution architecture aligns with enterprise technology strategy, business objectives, security, scalability, and integration requirements.
• Drive interoperability across applications, platforms, data environments, and technology ecosystems.
• Ensure technology decisions support long-term enterprise transformation objectives.

Stakeholder & Executive Management

• Partner with senior executives, business leaders, technology leadership, and government stakeholders.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable transformation roadmaps.
• Facilitate executive steering committees and strategic decision-making forums.
• Build strong relationships across business, technology, data, AI, security, and digital teams.

Team & Capability Development

• Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary transformation teams.
• Establish and scale Data & AI Centres of Excellence / capability hubs.
• Define operating models, roles, responsibilities, and capability development plans.
• Mentor senior program and technology leaders.

Required Skills & Experience

• 15 years of experience in enterprise transformation, technology, Data & AI, digital transformation, or related domains.
• Proven experience leading large-scale, complex enterprise programs.
• Strong experience in Data & AI transformation strategy and execution.
• Experience working with C-suite, executive leadership, and senior government stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud, data platforms, AI/ML, digital technologies, and technology governance.
• Demonstrated experience in program governance, PMO, risk management, financial management, and benefits realization.
• Experience establishing or scaling Data & AI Centres of Excellence is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and leadership capabilities.
• Experience within government, public sector, consulting, or large enterprise transformation environments will be advantageous.
• UAE / GCC experience is preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Leadership of enterprise-wide Data & AI transformation programs
• Strategic and hands-on program delivery leadership
• Strong executive stakeholder management
• Enterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model experience
• Technology and enterprise architecture understanding
• Experience managing multiple complex workstreams and transformation teams
• Ability to operate effectively in a government / public-sector environment