Head of IT - Education Sector

Job description / Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of IT for one of our clients in Abu Dhabi which is one of the prestigious higher education institutions in the UAE.

The role is to oversee and manage the university's information technology operations, ensuring the effective delivery of IT services to support the academic mission and administrative functions.

Qualifications:

IT leader with expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive IT strategies to transform universities into smart campuses that align with institutional goals in academics, administration, and research. Adept at managing IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring seamless integration of ERP, LMS, CRM, and SIS systems to optimize institutional efficiency.

Proven ability to lead and mentor IT teams, fostering an innovative and collaborative culture that enhances learning, research, and operational excellence. Skilled in advising university leadership on emerging technologies and best practices to drive continuous improvement. Experienced in overseeing network security, data management, disaster recovery, and compliance with national and international standards.

Strong background in budget management, vendor relations, and IT governance, ensuring cost-effective solutions while maintaining high-quality service delivery. Dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity, cloud-based collaboration, and business continuity planning, ensuring institutional resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Committed to cross-departmental collaboration to provide scalable, secure, and future-ready IT solutions that support students, faculty, and administration effectively.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or a related field; Master’s degree preferable. Preference will also be given to those with certifications such as PMP, CISSP, ITIL etc.

Minimum Experience:
• 8-10+ years’ experience in IT management with experience in digital transformation preferably in a higher education setting.

Job-Specific Skills:
• Demonstrated success in project management and cross-functional team leadership.
• Proven track record in IT operations, budget and resource allocation, infrastructure and application development.
• Excellent knowledge of IT infrastructure, systems, current trends and technologies, in addition to security protocols.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with enterprise systems and solutions, cloud technologies and data integration to ensure adequate and appropriate implementation, maintenance and optimization of business processes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Languages: English. French and/or Arabic is an added advantage

Salary:
AED 40,000 to 45,000 per month inclusive of fixed allowances.
Additional benefits: Visa, Medical Insurance, Flight Ticket, Family Benefits, Schooling Allowance

About the Company

Service

Our aim is to provide our clients and candidates with a consistent, quality service that goes beyond the norm, giving them peace of mind and complete trust in our ability to meet their needs.

Knowledge

Big Fish consultants specialise in their fields and have extensive experience in the region and beyond. We take pride in our knowledge and network and believe that our relationships are built on trust and integrity and are made for the long term.

Care

At Big Fish, as well as caring for the people we work with, we also care about the world and environment we live in, that's why Big Fish support initiatives that promote human welfare, environmental protection and sustainability.