Program Director

Role: Program Director – Data & AI TransformationDomain: Government / Public Sector Digital Transformation

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE – Onsite

Employment Type: Full-Time / FTEExperience: Senior Leadership / Enterprise TransformationWe are looking for an experienced Program Director – Data & AI Transformation to lead large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives across Data, AI, Technology, and Digital Innovation for a major government-sector organization in the UAE.The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in managing complex enterprise transformation programs, engaging with C-suite and senior government stakeholders, defining Data & AI strategies, establishing governance frameworks, and building scalable Data & AI capabilities.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram Leadership & GovernanceLead large-scale enterprise transformation programs from strategy through execution and benefits realization.Establish and manage program governance frameworks, steering committees, governance forums, and operating rhythms.Provide delivery oversight across multiple workstreams, managing scope, timelines, quality, risks, dependencies, and budgets.Drive escalation management and resolution of critical program issues.Provide executive-level reporting covering program progress, risks, financials, dependencies, and outcomes.Ensure quality assurance and adherence to enterprise standards.Data & AI StrategyDefine and execute enterprise Data & AI strategies aligned with organizational objectives.Identify, evaluate, and prioritize AI and Data use cases based on business value, feasibility, and strategic importance.Develop AI operating models, governance frameworks, and transformation roadmaps.Drive innovation initiatives and adoption of emerging AI and Data technologies.Establish mechanisms to measure business impact, value realization, and ROI from Data & AI investments.Enterprise Architecture & Technology StrategyProvide strategic direction on enterprise architecture and technology alignment across transformation programs.Ensure solution architecture aligns with enterprise technology strategy, business objectives, security, scalability, and integration requirements.Drive interoperability across applications, platforms, data environments, and technology ecosystems.Ensure technology decisions support long-term enterprise transformation objectives.Stakeholder & Executive ManagementPartner with senior executives, business leaders, technology leadership, and government stakeholders.Translate strategic objectives into executable transformation roadmaps.Facilitate executive steering committees and strategic decision-making forums.Build strong relationships across business, technology, data, AI, security, and digital teams.Team & Capability DevelopmentBuild and lead high-performing multidisciplinary transformation teams.Establish and scale Data & AI Centres of Excellence / capability hubs.Define operating models, roles, responsibilities, and capability development plans.Mentor senior program and technology leaders.Required Skills & Experience15+ years of experience in enterprise transformation, technology, Data & AI, digital transformation, or related domains.Proven experience leading large-scale, complex enterprise programs.Strong experience in Data & AI transformation strategy and execution.Experience working with C-suite, executive leadership, and senior government stakeholders.Strong understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud, data platforms, AI/ML, digital technologies, and technology governance.Demonstrated experience in program governance, PMO, risk management, financial management, and benefits realization.Experience establishing or scaling Data & AI Centres of Excellence is highly desirable.Strong communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and leadership capabilities.Experience within government, public sector, consulting, or large enterprise transformation environments will be advantageous.UAE / GCC experience is preferred.Ideal Candidate ProfileCandidates should be able to demonstrate:Leadership of enterprise-wide Data & AI transformation programsStrategic and hands-on program delivery leadershipStrong executive stakeholder managementEnterprise Data & AI strategy and operating model experienceTechnology and enterprise architecture understandingExperience managing multiple complex workstreams and transformation teamsAbility to operate effectively in a government / public-sector environment