Digital Innovation Senior Specialist
Confidential Government · Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tailor my CV for this job — freeThe Senior Specialist, Digital Innovation plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization's digital future. Operating within the IT department, this role bridges the gap between emerging technologies and strategic business objectives. You will research, prototype, and implement cutting-edge digital solutions—such as AI/ML, automation, cloud innovations, and IoT—to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive new revenue streams.2. Key ResponsibilitiesA. Technology Scouting & Trend AnalysisResearch and evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and disruptive digital solutions to identify business opportunities.Conduct feasibility studies, competitive benchmarking, and impact assessments for potential technological integrations.Maintain a pulse on the tech ecosystem, including startups, accelerators, and enterprise tech vendors.B. Proof of Concept (PoC) & Pilot ManagementDesign, scope, and lead proof-of-concept (PoC) projects and pilot initiatives from ideation to evaluation.Collaborate with software engineers, architects, and data teams to rapidly build prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).Define clear success metrics, KPIs, and testing frameworks to measure the viability and ROI of innovation projects.C. Cross-Functional Collaboration & StrategyPartner with business unit leaders (Marketing, Operations, Finance, Sales) to identify pain points and co-create digital solutions.Align digital innovation initiatives with the overarching enterprise IT roadmap and corporate strategy.Scale successful pilots into full production-grade enterprise systems in coordination with core IT infrastructure and security teams.D. Change Management & Innovation CultureChampion an innovation-first mindset and digital literacy across the organization.Facilitate ideation workshops, hackathons, and design-thinking sessions with cross-functional teams.Document best practices, lessons learned, and frameworks to institutionalize innovation knowledge.3. Qualifications & RequirementsEducation & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA is a strong plus).5–8+ years of professional experience in IT, digital transformation, innovation management, or technology consulting.Proven track record of successfully delivering digital projects or managing tech pilots/PoCs from inception to deployment.Technical & Domain SkillsDeep familiarity with modern technology trends (e.g., Artificial Intelligence/Generative AI, Cloud Ecosystems, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Advanced Analytics, and APIs).Strong understanding of software development life cycles (SDLC), Agile/Scrum methodologies, and enterprise architecture principles.Familiarity with data governance, cybersecurity, and compliance standards within IT environments.Soft Skills & CompetenciesStrategic Thinking: Ability to connect high-level business goals with technical execution.Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills to influence executive leadership and technical teams alike.Problem-Solving: A creative, analytical mindset capable of navigating ambiguity and complex technical challenges.4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Innovation Pipeline Velocity: Number of new ideas evaluated, prototyped, and transitioned to development annually.PoC Success Rate: Percentage of pilot projects successfully scaled into full production systems.Business Impact: Measurable improvements in operational efficiency, cost reduction, or new revenue generated through deployed innovations.Stakeholder Satisfaction: Positive feedback from internal business partners regarding IT innovation support.