Head of Technology - RDI

Dubai Future Foundation
Dubai
Full timeFunction: Administration & Executive AssistanceExperience: 10-15 yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Leadership","Communication","Strategic thinking","Stakeholder management","Vendor management"]

Lead the end-to-end technology function for the RDI research arm, owning its digital direction across infrastructure, networks, enterprise applications, data platforms, and cybersecurity. Set the technology roadmap and enterprise architecture, govern compliance, establish data governance, and evaluate AI-native tools including LLMs and RAG. In a greenfield environment, translate research and business needs into scalable solutions, manage vendors and Agile delivery, and build a high-performing IT team.

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Dubai Future Foundation
Dubai Future Foundation
1 day ago

Head of Technology - RDI

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Job Summary

Lead the end-to-end technology function for the RDI research arm, owning its digital direction across infrastructure, networks, enterprise applications, data platforms, and cybersecurity. Set the technology roadmap and enterprise architecture, govern compliance, establish data governance, and evaluate AI-native tools including LLMs and RAG. In a greenfield environment, translate research and business needs into scalable solutions, manage vendors and Agile delivery, and build a high-performing IT team.
Location: Dubai
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Administration & Executive Assistance
Seniority: Sr. Director level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Define RDI’s technology strategy and enterprise architecture aligned with research objectives, including technology investments and digital transformation decisions.
  • •Own RDI’s end-to-end technology landscape across infrastructure, cloud, applications, data platforms, and emerging AI tooling; drive architecture, integration, delivery, and optimization.
  • •Govern cybersecurity, data protection, and UAE regulatory requirements; establish data governance and cybersecurity/compliance frameworks.
  • •Partner with RDI leadership and research teams to translate business and research needs into technology solutions; lead technology programmes/projects and process improvement.
  • •Build and mentor a high-performing IT team and establish technology processes and standards while coordinating delivery with DFF Central IT.

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
  • •10+ years of IT experience with 3–5 years in a generalist, multi-domain technology leadership role with end-to-end ownership across infrastructure, applications, and data.
  • •Deep expertise across infrastructure and application layers, including cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), virtualization, enterprise SaaS, and hybrid environments.
  • •Proven experience in solution architecture and enterprise platform design decisions, including integration patterns and design reviews.
  • •Strong knowledge of cybersecurity governance and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, DESC ISR, UAE PDPL) and ability to coordinate with central security teams.
Experience:10-15 yearsGovernmentUAEDigital transformationResearch
Education:Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
Skills:LeadershipCommunicationStrategic thinkingStakeholder managementVendor management
Certifications:TOGAFCISSPAzure Solutions ArchitectAWS Certified Architect
Languages:Arabic
Tech Stack:AzureAWSGCPVirtualisationEnterprise SaaSHybrid environmentsTrusted Research Environment (TRE)ISO 27001NISTDESC ISRUAE PDPLData governanceData lakesPipelinesAnalytics environmentsLLMRAGAI-native toolsAgentic platformsAutonomous workflow automation

Eligibility

Nationality:United Arab Emirates

Company Brief

Dubai Future Foundation
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) is a government-backed organisation that designs and delivers strategic initiatives, research and innovation programmes—including Museum of the Future and Dubai RDI—to accelerate Dubai’s adoption of advanced technologies and future-ready policies.
Industry: Government
Company Size: Medium (51 to 250 employees)
Growth: Government & Public Sector
Funding: Government Funded
Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Founded: 2017
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