Job Purpose:

To plan, design, develop, and launch efficient information systems and operations systems in support of core organizational functions to meet business objectives, including digital delivery, digitalization & digital transformation. Applies proven communication, analytical and problem-solving skills to help identify, communicate and resolve systems issues in order to maximize the benefit of IT systems investments.

Key Tasks and Duties:

Software and System Management:

• Responsible for all software packages used in the unit, including maintenance through externalized support.
• Ensure adequate service with respect to supporting corporate applications and addressing IT problems and opportunities related to business requirements.
• Establish service levels with Application Custodians in conjunction with business requirements to ensure application availability.
• Manage the system development life cycle of applications, ensuring delivery targets meet agreed timelines, specifications, and corporate standards.
• Produce and maintain an integrated project plan that includes realistic cost estimates, schedules, and resource requirements.

Budgeting and Cost Optimization:

• Optimize results from the available budget for hardware and software.
• Suggest ways to improve efficiency, productivity, and operating costs through proper utilization of technology.

Digital Platform Management:

• Oversee the management and optimization of digital platforms, including mobile apps, websites, online portals, and self-service kiosks.
• Collaborate with IT and vendors to ensure the stability, scalability, and security of digital platforms.
• Work closely with the UX/UI teams to continuously improve the user experience and interface design of digital channels.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Manage employees' day-to-day functions, assigning staff as per the level determined by Senior Management.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of digital professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and support the professional growth of team members.
• Challenge others to develop as leaders while serving as a role model and mentor. Inspire co-workers to attain goals and pursue excellence.

Project Management:

• Lead end-to-end project management for digital channel initiatives, including planning, development, testing, and launch.
• Monitor and report progress on project implementations. Facilitate project execution according to the approved project plan and maintain reports, risks, and changes.
• Plan and implement application systems as per directives from the IT Steering Committee.

Data and Business Insight:

• Make available to Senior Management data mining of information from the system for informed decision-making.
• Liaise with business planners to understand the organization’s medium- and long-term technology needs and produce an applications infrastructure strategy aligned with business priorities.
• Participate in the selection and definition of business applications by quantifying the business benefits and justifying business cases.
• Define a corporate architecture for business applications, integration, and process ownership, ensuring data integrity and facilitating information sharing across platforms.

Compliance and Auditing:

• Handle CBO auditing, reporting, and other regulatory reporting.
• Ensure that relevant documentation, policies, and procedures related to development projects, change control, access, and security are maintained and applied to day-to-day activities.

Innovation and Emerging Technology:

• Pursue up-to-date knowledge of emerging technology trends and developments in areas relevant to the organization.
• Direct the investigation of specific IS/IT technologies, products, methods, and techniques to assess their potential benefit to the Bank.
• Manage the process of innovative change effectively and identify opportunities for improvement.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Coordinate with other department heads to ensure proper business processes are in place.
• Collaborate across departments for data sharing and process optimization.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on technical options aligned with the organization’s strategy to maximize ROI.

Geographical and Multinational Coordination:

• Provide technical support to business systems in Oman, UAE, and Egypt through a team of systems analysts and software engineers to achieve project goals and completion.

Qualifications:

• A good first degree in Computer Science or Engineering or a related subject.

Experience:

• At least 10-12 years’ experience in Information systems, business analysis, application development and maintenance, business system portfolio management and project management in a corporate environment with a sound knowledge in Banking and financial business activities will be preferred. Strong team leadership and communication skills with service oriented attitude. Ability to Manage budget allocation, expenditure and variances.

Additional skills required are:

• Leadership and Team Development
• Strategic Thinking
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent report writing skills
• Excellent planning skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good Inter-personal skills
• Adaptability and innovation
• Excellent person to person skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Good written and spoken Arabic