Data Tech Lead Middle East

About the Role
The Data Technology Lead will provide technology leadership for data platforms and capabilities across the Middle East. This role includes engaging with MENAT regulators to ensure that the data technology estate meets regulatory expectations, Group standards, and business needs. The Data Technology Lead will also optimize vendor usage within MENAT Data Technology, simplify and rationalize the data technology estate, and prepare the regional landscape to be future-state ready, aligned with the Group technology strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Data Technology Leadership

• Lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of data platforms and solutions across the Middle East.
• Translate business, regulatory, and data requirements into secure, scalable, and sustainable technology solutions.
• Provide technical leadership across data engineering, integration, data quality, metadata, lineage, and analytics capabilities.
• Ensure solutions comply with architecture standards, security controls, data governance principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive consistent engineering practices, including automation, testing, monitoring, DevOps, and operational resilience.
• Ensure production services remain stable, well controlled, and effectively supported through incident, problem, and change management.

Data Governance, Risk and Assurance

• Explain data architecture, data flows, controls, lineage, storage, access, and operational processes to regulators and internal assurance teams.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready documentation and evidence covering data ownership, controls, resilience, and remediation.
• Manage technology risks, dependencies, issues, and regulatory commitments across the regional data portfolio.

Vendor and IT Estate Optimization

• Lead vendor and IT estate optimization within MENAT Data Technology, improving value, efficiency, control, and strategic alignment.
• Identify opportunities to simplify the MENAT Data Technology estate, reduce duplication, and transition from legacy or tactical services to strategic platforms.
• Ensure the MENAT Data Technology estate is future-state ready and aligned with Group technology strategy and architecture principles.
• Contribute, where appropriate, to wider MENAT Technology initiatives covering vendor management, estate rationalization, and technology modernization.
• Share Group Data Technology insights, standards, and good practices to support broader MENAT Technology priorities.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Report to the Head of AME Data Technology and contribute to the MENAT CIO Leadership Team.
• Work closely with local business, technology, risk, compliance, data, and operations stakeholders.
• Align regional delivery with local business needs, regulatory expectations, and Group priorities.
• Contribute to regional and Group-wide data strategy, standards, governance forums, and communities of practice.
• Build trusted relationships across business and technology teams and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
• Coach and develop technical colleagues, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and consistent control practices.

Required Experience and Skills

• Significant experience leading data technology delivery in a complex, regulated financial services environment.
• Proven experience engaging with regulators, auditors, or supervisory authorities, ideally across MENAT markets.
• Strong knowledge of data platforms, data engineering, integration, data governance, lineage, and data quality.
• Good understanding of regulatory expectations relating to data management, privacy, resilience, outsourcing, and technology risk.
• Experience managing regulatory commitments, remediation plans, evidence packs, and governance reporting.
• Experience in vendor management, technology rationalization, and IT estate modernization.
• Ability to communicate complex architecture, data flows, and control environments clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Experience working across multiple countries and navigating differing local regulatory requirements.
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience; technology, data, or risk certifications are desirable.

Benefits
The organization is committed to building a culture where all employees are valued, respected, and opinions count. They take pride in providing a workplace that fosters continuous professional development, flexible working, and opportunities to grow within an inclusive and diverse environment.