Established in 2004, Dubai Holding is a global investment company with investments in more than 34 countries and a combined workforce of nearly 45,000 individuals. In line with the vision of Dubai’s leadership and economic diversification strategy, Dubai Holding companies have nurtured sectors, irrevocably transforming Dubai’s socio-economic landscape and positioning Dubai as a diversified, globally integrated economy.
Dubai Holding is committed to the diversification of Dubai’s non-oil economy. Our portfolio, valued at over AED 284+billion, spans 10 sectors, including real estate, hospitality, leisure & entertainment, ICT, design, education, media, retail, manufacturing & logistics, and science.
For the Good of Tomorrow
Dubai Holding is looking to hire an Executive Director – Data & AI, reporting to the Chief Information Technology Officer. The role holder will be responsible for leading the development and execution of Dubai Holding’s AI and Data strategy across its diverse global portfolio, including Real Estate, Hospitality, Investments, Entertainment, and Asset Management. The role holder will oversee the implementation of intelligent data systems, generate actionable business insights, and ensure data quality and governance.
If you’re ready to embark on a dynamic journey where your talents are valued, and your contributions make a real impact, we would like to hear from you.
Key Accountabilities:
Data Strategy and Management:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive data strategy that integrates AI technologies to support Dubai Holding’s digital transformation objectives.
- Ensure seamless integration, management, and governance of complex data ecosystems by collaborating with IT teams to maintain secure, scalable, and efficient data infrastructure.
- Promote the use of advanced analytics, machine learning, and predictive modelling to provide actionable business insights for optimized decision-making.
- Collaborate with the Strategy & Value Creation team to identify opportunities for data monetization, developing innovative data-driven products and services that create new revenue streams and enhance competitive advantage.
AI Governance:
- Establish a robust AI governance framework that ensures adherence to ethical, legal, and corporate standards across all AI initiatives.
- Proactively identify potential risks related to AI applications, including data privacy, algorithmic biases, and operational issues, and develop mitigation strategies to address them.
- Define clear policies and protocols for the responsible development, deployment, and monitoring of AI systems.
Regulatory and Compliance Management:
- Monitor and ensure compliance with global and regional AI regulations, including GDPR, UAE data laws, and sector-specific regulatory requirements.
- Act as a liaison with regulatory bodies, ensuring AI practices remain compliant and secure.
Strategic Initiatives & Process Optimization:
- Partner with business leaders across all verticals to identify opportunities for AI adoption that will drive operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and streamline processes.
- Develop and refine AI-driven monetization models aimed at increasing revenue streams while minimizing operational costs through predictive and prescriptive analytics.
- Implement automation and predictive maintenance solutions to minimize downtime, extend asset lifecycles, and enhance operational effectiveness.
- Actively contribute to national AI initiatives, supporting the UAE’s strategic vision to become a global hub for AI innovation.
AI Innovation and Advanced Analytics:
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced AI and analytics solutions to uncover deep business insights, enable predictive analytics, and drive data-led decision-making.
- Develop and track performance metrics to measure the impact of AI initiatives on business outcomes and operational efficiencies.
- Provide regular reports and insights to senior leadership, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement.
- Stay ahead of global AI trends and best practices, ensuring Dubai Holding remains at the forefront of technological innovation.
Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Drive collaboration across business units, ensuring AI initiatives align with organizational goals and deliver measurable business value.
- Act as a strategic advisor to senior executives, translating complex AI concepts into actionable business strategies.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with external stakeholders, including research institutions, technology partners, and regulatory bodies
People Manager:
- Provide leadership within the function, setting individual objectives, managing performance, developing, and motivating staff, provision of formal and informal feedback and appraisal – to maximize subordinate and departmental performance in the pursuit of the Department’s objectives.
- Drive upskilling and continuous development initiatives within one’s own team and talent acquisition colleagues across the organisation. Build and promote customer centric culture, encouraging innovation within the function.
Who we are looking for:
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in AI, data science, or analytics, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated success in leading AI and data transformation initiatives across global organizations with diverse business sectors, such as real estate, hospitality, entertainment, and investments.
- Expertise in developing AI-driven business strategies, including cloud-based data solutions (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
Education / Professional Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related field.
- A Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline is preferred.
Technical Competencies:
- Deep expertise in AI/ML technologies, automation tools, and advanced analytics platforms.
- Strong knowledge of data engineering, integration, and cloud-native data pipelines.
- Proficiency in programming languages and data science tools (e.g., Python, R, SQL, SAS).
- Advanced skills in data visualization and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI).
- Familiarity with MLOps frameworks and scalable AI deployment practices.
As much as we would be delighted to entertain all applicants, due to the high volumes of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted within 14 business days.
This job description is not all inclusive. Dubai Holding reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Dubai Holding is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
