Associate Director - Technology & Cyber Risk

Location: UAEPractice: Uniqus Tech ConsultingFocus area: Technology & Cyber RiskLevel: Associate DirectorAbout UniqusUniqus is a tech-enabled global consulting company that specializes in Accounting & Reporting Consulting (ARC), Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), Sustainability & Climate Consulting (SCC), and Tech Consulting by leveraging high-performing global talent.

Our consulting solutions are backed by proprietary tech assets.Our global delivery model and tech stack set us apart, enabling us to provide best-in-class solutions in a highly cost-efficient manner.Free from auditor independence conflicts and supported by proprietary technology assets, Uniqus delivers seamless, end-to-end solutions that help clients solve complex business challenges in real time.About Tech Consulting PracticeThe Tech Consulting practice supports organizations across digitization and automation, data and insights, technology and cyber risk, AI services, and enterprise technology transformation.The practice’s approach is grounded in secure architecture, governed data, embedded controls, human oversight, and measurable business outcomes. Its Technology & Cyber Risk offering spans cyber strategy and frameworks, threat and vulnerability assessment, regulatory compliance and privacy management, security controls design and implementation, third-party risk management, AI risk and governance, risk and compliance automation, and cyber resilience.Role purposeWe are seeking an experienced cybersecurity and technology risk leader to build and scale our UAE cybersecurity advisory and delivery business. The Associate Director will lead complex client engagements, advise C-suite and board-level stakeholders, develop differentiated cyber risk offerings, and contribute to the growth of the Tech Consulting practice across the UAE and GCC.This is a senior, market-facing role for a leader who can connect cybersecurity strategy, governance, technology controls, cloud and data security, privacy, resilience, and transformation—turning complex risk into practical, commercially relevant action.Key responsibilitiesClient advisory and engagement leadershipAct as a trusted advisor to CIOs, CISOs, CROs, boards, regulators, and senior business leaders on cybersecurity, technology risk, digital resilience, and secure transformation.Lead end-to-end cybersecurity and technology risk engagements, from scoping and proposal development through delivery, quality assurance, executive reporting, and follow-through.Define pragmatic cyber strategies, target operating models, governance structures, roadmaps, policies, and control environments aligned to business priorities.Translate technical and regulatory requirements into clear decisions, investment priorities, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.Oversee assessments and transformations covering cyber maturity, security architecture, cloud and data security, identity and access management, privileged access, network security, vulnerability management, security monitoring, incident response, business continuity, and third-party risk.Embed security, privacy, controls, and responsible AI considerations into ERP, cloud, digital, data, and AI-enabled transformation programs.UAE and regional cyber risk practiceBuild practical solutions for UAE clients operating under applicable federal, emirate-level, free-zone, and sector-specific requirements.Advise clients on regulatory and privacy readiness, including UAE PDPL and relevant sector or regulator expectations; exposure to frameworks such as UAE Information Assurance Standards/NESA, DESC ISR, CBUAE, DFSA, ADHICS, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, COBIT, and PCI DSS is desirable.Develop repeatable offerings, accelerators, methodologies, playbooks, and technology-enabled approaches for cyber governance, controls, compliance, privacy, resilience, and continuous monitoring.Bring an innovation mindset to AI risk and governance, cyber analytics, risk and compliance automation, and intelligent monitoring.Business development and market leadershipBuild and manage senior client relationships and support the UAE/GCC sales pipeline for cybersecurity and technology risk services.Originate opportunities, shape solutions, lead proposals and pitches, and articulate Uniqus’s differentiated value to clients and alliance partners.Develop thought leadership, market perspectives, client propositions, and executive content relevant to UAE and GCC cyber risk priorities.Identify opportunities to collaborate across Tech Consulting, Governance, Risk & Compliance, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk, Sustainability, Data & Insights, and AI services.People and delivery leadershipLead, coach, and develop high-performing cybersecurity and technology risk teams across onshore and distributed delivery models.Set high standards for delivery quality, commercial discipline, risk management, documentation, and client experience.Contribute to recruitment, capability building, performance management, and the development of future practice leaders.Promote a culture of integrity, collaboration, continuous learning, and responsible use of technology and AI.Required experience and qualifications12+ years of relevant experience in cybersecurity, technology risk, information security, IT risk and controls, digital assurance, or cyber advisory; 15+ years is preferred for this leadership level.Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity, cyber GRC, technology risk, or digital transformation engagements for large or regulated organizations.Strong experience across several of the following: cyber strategy and governance, security controls, ITGC and IT risk, cloud security, data protection, IAM/PAM, network security, vulnerability management, security monitoring, incident response, cyber resilience, third-party risk, privacy, and continuous assurance.Proven experience in a consulting, professional services, or senior industry leadership environment, with accountability for client relationships, engagement delivery, and commercial outcomes.Experience working with clients in the UAE or wider GCC; knowledge of local market dynamics and stakeholder expectations is strongly preferred.Strong understanding of recognized frameworks and standards, including ISO 27001, NIST CSF, COBIT, PCI DSS, and applicable UAE or sector-specific cybersecurity and privacy requirements.Demonstrated ability to lead senior stakeholder conversations and communicate complex cyber, technology, and regulatory issues in clear business language.Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, large or multi-country programs, and senior-level client escalations.Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, business, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is desirable.Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CCSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor/Implementer, PMP, or equivalent are desirable.Ideal leadership profileCommercially minded and able to convert client needs into scalable consulting propositions.Strategic enough to define a target state and pragmatic enough to guide implementation.Comfortable operating across board, C-suite, technology, risk, audit, compliance, and business stakeholders.Curious about emerging technology, AI, cloud, automation, and the changing cyber threat landscape.Skilled at balancing independence and collaboration in a high-growth consulting environment.Committed to practical, measurable outcomes rather than compliance documentation alone.High-integrity leader who builds trust, develops people, and represents Uniqus confidently in the market.Measures of successGrowth in UAE cybersecurity and technology risk revenue, pipeline, and strategic accounts.Consistent delivery of high-quality, profitable engagements with strong client satisfaction.Successful creation and adoption of differentiated cyber risk offerings, accelerators, and delivery assets.Improved client cyber maturity, resilience, regulatory readiness, and control effectiveness.Strong collaboration across Uniqus practices and alliances.Development and retention of a capable, diverse, and future-ready cybersecurity team.Why join Uniqus Tech Consulting?You will help shape a growing practice that brings together cybersecurity, technology risk, data, automation, AI, governance, and functional expertise. The role offers the opportunity to work directly with senior decision-makers, solve high-impact client problems, build new market propositions, and help change how consulting is delivered in the UAE and across the region.