Executive Director - Digital & AI

Summary

The Executive Director (ED) of the Digital & AI Department plays a critical role within our organization and is responsible for driving implementation of digital technology and innovation at the highest level. This position is tasked with setting the strategic direction for the Digital department, harnessing the power of digital technologies and AI to drive business growth, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction across ENOWA.

The ED develops & maintains strong relationships with ENOWA’s and internal/external Partners’ Executive & Domain Leadership, ensuring the right Digital, Data and Cyber solutions get delivered. The ED successfully manages a current team of > 40 FTE and ~20-30 consultants, with the expectation that this will grow to a total team of > 100 FTE by 2026.  The overall Digital and AI budget under management for the next 5 years is expected pass multiple 100 Mlns of USD in CAPEX and OPEX.

Position description and responsibilities

In line with ENOWA’s business strategy of delivering a 100% renewable and fully sustainable energy & water business, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic guidance for the organization's Digital and AI initiatives, driving alignment with overall business objectives.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of Digital, Cyber, Data and AI experts, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Champion adoption of Digital technologies and AI solutions across ENOWA.
• Collaborate with ENOWA’s executives and senior leadership to identify & decide on digital initiatives and drive consensus on strategic priorities and their implementation/operation.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with external stakeholders, including technology vendors, research institutions, and industry associations.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, evaluating their potential impact on the relevant people, processes and systems and recommending strategic and tactical investments and/or pivots.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards related to Digital, Cyber, Data and AI technologies, mitigating risks and safeguarding overall digital system integrity and data privacy and security.
• Oversee the design, build and operation of digital platforms across ENOWA, including:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive Digital and AI strategy, ensuring they are scalable, sustainable, and aligned with industry best practices.
  • Translate ENOWA’s digital & AI strategy into state-of-the-art digital products, platforms, and their operations.
  • Establish and implement the Agile way-of-working across Digital & AI, and act as a key Agile ambassador within ENOWA, making it work within the mainly waterfall oriented NEOM environment.
• Oversee the design, build and operation of the Data & AI capability across ENOWA, including:
  • Develop & implement ENOWA-wide Data & AI strategy aimed at 1) establishing a single source of truth, and 2) unlocking the full potential of AI & automation.
  • Design, develop and operate ENOWA’s central data platform including a strong data mngt capability.
  • Deliver generic data analytics solutions to all ENOWA’s stakeholders.
• Oversee the design, build and operation of Cyber & Information Security across ENOWA, including:
  • Formulation of an ENOWA-wide Cyber & Information Security Strategy to ensure protection of all ENOWA physical and digital assets in compliance with both KSA regulations and global best-practice Cyber standards.
  • The implementation of an ENOWA-wide Cyber & Information Security Management System (CISMS)
  • Collaboration with NEOM CISO to ensure development of ENOWA cyber standards & policies.
  • Development and maintenance of a comprehensive Cyber Incident Response Plan & Risk Registry, rightly integrated with NEOM's overarching cyber plans & risk management framework.

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven track record of executive leadership in digital & AI domains, with extensive experience in the utilities or energy sector.
• Demonstrated success in driving organizational change and delivering measurable business outcomes through the strategic implementation and operation of digital technologies and AI solutions.
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to develop business cases, manage budgets, and drive ROI.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset, able to anticipate challenges and opportunities and take decisive action.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP) and familiarity with agile methodologies are highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field and/or >20 yrs. proven leadership experience in the domain of digital tech.
• Proven track record of success, possibly backed-up by positive referral(s).