IT Manager

Job description / Role

Hiring an IT Manager role for an international law firm in Dubai.

The Middle East IT Manager is responsible for providing excellent customer service to end users in the region and aligning IT services to business needs. Supervising the IT personnel in the region, providing effective management of technical support, prioritization of support needs, and research/investigation for all first line support calls. The IT Manager also oversees regional suppliers and service provider relationships, develops and manages budgets and ensures the IT function supports business activities as effectively as possible.

Responsibilities:
- Responsible for IT service delivery to the ME regional offices
- Preparation and management of IT Budgets for the region
- Acts as liaison between the business and IT department to assess and provide appropriate IT services to users
- Identifies evolving business needs and opportunities for service improvements; aligns IT services, projects and investment accordingly
- Ability to manage escalations, outages, significant issues/concerns while working closely with engineers and provide consistent communications to management and users
- Vendor development and management to build up good working relationships with service providers and suppliers in each country / office
- Procurement and maintenance of end user IT hardware, peripherals and services in line with company standards and business needs
- Where necessary develops local standards, policies and procedures for the IT Department
- Communicates ME offices' business needs with regards to IT requirements to UKMEA/Global IT
- Represents regional offices' interests to the respective UKMEA/Global teams in devising IT standards, policies and procedures
- Works closely with colleagues in UKMEA/Global IT department to ensure successful delivery of IT projects to the ME offices
- Leads and develops IT support team within the region to provide a high standard of customer service
- Resource planning, scheduling and assigning tasks to members of the IT ME team and monitoring progress
- Ensures staff meet all regulatory requirements, comprehend and comply with best practices, professional standards, internal policies, and procedures
- Works in tandem with other members of the IT ME team and London IT in resolving user support issues
- Coordinate with other departments and business stakeholders on technology deployments, system upgrades and maintenance outages.
- Communicate maintenance schedules, operational issues and impacts to IT management and business stakeholders and users.
- Assesses IT Project Risk on behalf ME Offices and advises of specific needs for the Middle East
- Manages and continually assesses business continuity plans, disaster recovery and risk in line with ISO 22301
- Spearheading any office relocation or upgrade projects
- Oversee the execution of IT training and development programs such that all staff in the region have skills necessary to utilize technology effectively
- Encourage communication of new ideas, solutions, suggestions and problems. Review for appropriate action or implementation
- Provide feedback regarding IT methodologies, standards and industry leading practices
- Maintains awareness of new and emerging technologies and products provided by IT
- Support Business Leaders in client-facing engagements and act as IT Ambassador in Middle East client pitches - sheree

- A minimum of 3 year management experience.
- Have a solid working knowledge of ITIL.
- Proven track record leading IT teams in a large corporate environment.
- Previous experience as an IT Manager or senior IT Leadership position.
- Experience managing large complex, transformational programmes & change initiatives.
- Experience managing a team of Senior IT Professionals.
- A strong leadership style, used to working in a matrix management environment.
- People management skills, including but not limited to recruitment, retention, talent development, peer ranking, succession planning, performance improvement, dismissals and culture.
- Experience in supplier management, developing and maintaining supplier relationships (external) and operating efficiency plans.
- Proven capability of effectively managing and developing high-performing teams.
- A proven track record in leading multi-disciplined teams of IT staff.
- Experience of developing business strategies and implementing business plans.
- Experience in a large blue chip organization.
- Senior level stakeholder management.
- Credible performer in senior executive forums.
- International delivery experience would be a big advantage.
- Desirable: ISEB or Prince 2 / PMI / APM / MSP.

About the Company

MENA Recruit came to fruition in response to a growing need for international legal talent in London and Dubai. Its initial focus began in the Legal sector, evolving as a service provider for other sectors such as Administration, Marketing, Business Development, HR, IT, Finance and C-Suite positions.

Over the last two decades, with roots firmly planted in the Middle East and operations expanding into the APAC region, MENA Recruit has gained intuitive industry knowledge and expertise. With its unique, people-focused approach, the firm has yielded competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for the professionals it has supported throughout the years.

The company is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of talent and service to its clients while working tenaciously towards helping them achieve higher retention rates. For this reason, MENA Recruit is considered by both candidates and clients as a consultant in the truest sense of the word, offering guidance to both people and organizations on how to adapt to the constant change in market conditions and how to anticipate present and future challenges.

Presently, MENA Recruit provides services to organizations and professionals in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

With such an extensive global reach, strong brand value, decades of expertise, and an innovative approach towards business challenges, it’s clear why MENA Recruit is the partner of choice for both in-house recruiters and candidates internationally.