Corporate Director of Information Technology - Blazon Hotels by Smart Hospitality Solutions - Dubai, UAE - REMOTE
(2021-12)
- Currently overseeing IT operations for seven properties across the United Arab Emirates, Central Africa, and India and all Hotels IT Directors/Managers report directly to the Corporate Director of Information Technology.
- Identified technology needs and provided strategic recommendations to Executive Management to support business growth and innovation.
- Developed job descriptions, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure role clarity, compliance, and operational consistency.
- Aligned the Technology department's strategic vision with overall company goals to ensure cohesive digital transformation and business growth.
- Directed enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy and governance, aligning security posture with business objectives and regulatory compliance.
- Design and implement Company ecommerce portfolio and support Digital Marketing team.
- Led organization-wide technology upgrades and facilitated training sessions to ensure employees effectively adopted new features.
- Conducted system audits and implemented process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
- Hotel IT Directors/Managers report directly to the Corporate Director of Information Technology.
- Prepared annual IT budgets for the Corporate Office and hotel properties, ensuring effective monitoring and control of expenditures.
- Negotiated and administered service agreements with technology vendors, achieving a 20% reduction in annual IT costs while enhancing service reliability.
- Managed end-to-end lifecycle of IT vendors, including evaluation, onboarding, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance reviews to ensure alignment with organizational infrastructure goals.
- Developed departmental and individual KPIs, ensuring alignment with overall company performance metrics and strategic goals.
- Established and enforced application development and deployment standards aligned with ISO 27001, GDPR, and internal audit requirements.
- Provided leadership in IT governance, aligning application architecture and data handling with industry best practices and business continuity requirements.
Chief Technology Officer - E Eleven Trading - Dubai, UAE
(2020-08 - 2025-12)
- Aligned the Technology department's vision and objectives with the company's strategic direction to ensure cohesive growth and digital alignment.
- Managed multiple concurrent IT projects, ensuring on-time delivery, budget compliance, and alignment with business objectives.
- Oversee data security and management practices, ensuring compliance with industry standards and protecting organizational information assets.
- Led the development and ongoing management of company websites, ensuring functionality, user experience, and alignment with brand standards.
Senior Information Technology Consultant - Calhoun - Dubai, UAE
(2018-07 - 2020-06)
- Led the implementation of Property Management System (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), Building Management System (BMS), and Revenue Management System (RMS), ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency.
- Led the deployment of IT policies, procedures, and governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with standards such as GDPR and strengthening data protection across the organization.
- Developed and managed websites, including e-commerce platforms, ensuring functionality, user experience, and alignment with business objectives.
- Implemented and managed system virtualization using VMware to optimize server utilization, reduce hardware costs, and improve scalability.
- Designed and implemented network infrastructure and data center solutions, ensuring high availability, scalability, and compliance with industry standards.
- Implemented Point of Sale (POS) systems for restaurants and retail outlets, and led the development of websites to support online visibility and customer engagement.
Director of Information Technology - Assila Hotel by Rocco Forte Hotels - Jeddah
(2015-02 - 2018-05)
Total Inventory 310 rooms
- Served as a key member of the pre-opening team, leading the setup and implementation of hardware and software in alignment with Rocco Forte Hotels' standards, contributing to the successful launch of the property.
- Designed and established network infrastructure and data center, while coordinating with vendors to implement a range of hardware and software solutions.
- Planned and coordinated new software and hardware installations across the hotel, liaising with suppliers and the Group Director of IT to ensure timely and compliant implementation.
- Reviews and approves hardware and software purchase to insure new products achieve corporate standards.
- Main contact for software and hardware vendors.
- Conducts periodic audits to insure compliance to the corporate systems policies and procedures, security, and internal control standards.
- Provides all users within the Hotel with advanced technical support on all aspects of hotel technology.
- Responsible for the administration and security access control to the local area network.
- Prepared detailed monthly IT reports summarizing system activities and performance metrics for submission to the General Manager and Group Director of IT.
- Participated in the development of the Hotel Capital Plan and ensured timely completion of technical project releases in alignment with budget and operational priorities.
- Developed job descriptions, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure role clarity, compliance, and operational consistency.
- Implemented and administered VMware vSphere 5.x environments, optimizing virtualization performance, resource utilization, and system availability.
- Implemented disaster recovery solutions using SEP sesam software to ensure data protection, business continuity, and rapid system recovery.
- Designed and implemented integrated networks for data, voice, and IPTV in accordance with company standards, ensuring seamless connectivity and service delivery.
IT Manager - The Meydan Hotel / Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa - Dubai
(2011-01 - 2015-01)
Total Inventory 414 rooms
- Managed CAPEX and P&L for both the properties while acting as a key member of team responsible for migrating system from Jumeirah LLC to Meydan Hospitality LLC.
- Managed Opera, Delphi, Micros 9700, VDA interactive system, Guest Connection, BI Reporting tool, etc. for both the properties.
- Managed 360 virtual tours, replaced financial system from Solomon to Sun Financial and upgraded network infrastructure and data centre for Bab Al Shams.
Cluster IT Manager - Jumeirah International - Dubai
(2009-09 - 2010-12)
Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Tower and Wild Wadi Water Park. Total Inventory 2200 plus rooms. Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts – a member of Dubai Holding with an exclusive portfolio comprising the hotel voted as the world's most luxurious (Burj Al Arab) and other high-quality facilities.
- Promoted to lead multi-site IT operations for flagship properties including Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and Wild Wadi Water Park, ensuring consistent service standards and operational excellence.
- Procured applications, supported software and managed 40 personnel for network, operations and application support.
- Determined project requirements with finance and other departments, completed all tendering with purchasing, selected bid, appointed project manager and provided post-implementation support.
- Negotiated and re-negotiated contracts as well as acting as a key point of contact for third-party suppliers and other external business partners.
- Managed the implementation of Opera front office, VICAS system for passport scanning and HotSOS optimisation system that was integrated with Vocera.
- Installed business-critical solutions, such as @Mail service for Reservation department, Baron for membership and booking, Mitel SX 2000 PABX, interactive television and high-speed Internet access with wireless hotspots.
- Upgraded network to 1GB mbps and backbone to 10GB; also restructured server room equipment to include racking, raised flooring, UPS and A/C unit.
- Administered systems including Opera, Fidelio, Micros 9700 for POS, Solomon, Marketboomer, Adaco, FBM, Baron, Premier Spa, MS Exchange, SRO ticketing, HOTSOS, Koolconnect, VDA, Central Backup and FCS call accounting with centralised reporting.
- Ensured that hotel systems and procedures adhered to internal IT security policy and managed offshore project development.
IT Manager - Madinat Jumeirah Resort - Dubai
(2003-07 - 2009-09)
Assistant IT Manager - Jumeirah Beach Club - Dubai
(2003-07 - 2009-09)
IT Supervisor - Holiday Inn - Salalah, Oman
(2000-02 - 2000-07)
IT Supervisor - Holiday Inn - Manama, Bahrain
(1999-02 - 2000-01)
IT Support Specialist - Hilton International - Dubai
(1994-01 - 1999-01)
