Head of IT Applications & Operations

Every employee at Al Rostamani Group plays a role in making a real difference
to the business and our customers. We care for our employees by offering them
meaningful and purposeful work and an opportunity to grow, learn, contribute
and succeed. Today, the Al Rostamani Group has come a long way since its birth
in ‎1957. Our group has grown steadfastly with the guiding principles of
Commitment, Care & Vision, alongside a strong sense of active involvement in
the community. We are a well-diversified group, with a key presence in
industries such as General Trading, Automobiles and Heavy Equipment, Travel,
Foreign Exchange, Financial Services, Property Management, Construction,
Infrastructure Development and Information Technology Services. Our Group
employs approximately ‎2000 people from ‎41 different nationalities, which
contributes to our multicultural and multi-national environment.

Job Purpose

The IT Applications & Operations Sr. Manager plays a critical role in
managing:
* the development, implementation, and maintenance of all software applications within ARG
* the IT infrastructure and operations of ARG.
This senior leadership position is responsible for aligning technology
solutions with the business's objectives and ensuring that the application
portfolio is optimized for efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.
Moreover, this position ensures that the company's IT systems, networks, and
services operate efficiently, securely, and in alignment with the
organization's strategic goals

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute a strategic IT applications and operations plan that aligns with the organization's business objectives. Collaborate with senior management to ensure IT initiatives support the company's growth and innovation.


• Application Portfolio Management: Oversee the entire lifecycle of the organization's application portfolio, including selection, development, implementation, maintenance, and retirement of applications. Ensure that the portfolio meets the company's needs and evolves to stay competitive.


• IT Infrastructure Management: Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of the organization's IT infrastructure, including data centres, servers, networks, and cloud services. Ensure the availability, reliability, and scalability of IT systems.


• Team Leadership: Build and manage a high-performing team. Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development.


• Budget Management: Develop and manage the IT applications and operations budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation and cost control while delivering high-quality solutions, reliable and secure services.


• Security and Compliance: Work closely with Security team to protect the organization from security threats and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. Implement best practices and security protocols.


• Vendor and Partner Management: Work closely with Procurement team to negotiate contracts, procure hardware and software, and manage service-level agreements (SLAs).


• Application Development and Enhancement: Oversee the development, customization, and enhancement of software applications to meet business requirements. Ensure that applications are scalable, secure, and adhere to industry best practices.


• Incident and Problem Management: Develop and maintain incident response and problem management processes to resolve IT issues promptly and minimize downtime.


• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Establish and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure IT systems can recover in case of disruptions or disasters.


• Performance Monitoring: Implement monitoring tools and systems to track the performance of IT infrastructure and services, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues.


• Project Management: Work with PMO to prioritize application development projects, establish project plans, manage resources, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.


• IT Service Management: Implement IT service management (ITSM) practices, including ITIL or similar frameworks, to improve service delivery, incident resolution, and change management.


• User Support and Training: Provide user support and training to ensure that employees can effectively use and benefit from the organization's software applications.


• Business Process Improvement: Collaborate with business units to identify opportunities for process improvement through technology, ensuring that applications drive operational efficiency and innovation


• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate with executive leadership and other key stakeholders to provide updates on IT operations, project status, and alignment with business goals.


• Technology Evaluation: Stay current with emerging technologies, assess their potential impact on the organization, and recommend technology enhancements or upgrades.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

Experience
* Extensive experience (typically ‎8-‎10+ years) in IT application management and IT operations, including ‎3-‎5+ years in a managerial or director role.
Knowledge and Skills
* Strong knowledge of application development, IT infrastructure, networking, security, and cloud computing.
* Proven leadership and team management skills.
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
* Familiarity with IT service management (ITSM) frameworks (e.g., ITIL).
* A deep understanding of IT security and compliance standards.
* Budget management and financial acumen.
At Al Rostamani Group, we seek talented people who work hard to achieve great
things. We consider not only your skills and experience, but also your passion
for the role, your desire to learn and how well you align with our core values
of care, commitment and vision. If this position represents an opportunity you
wish to pursue, we invite you to apply.