Head of Infrastructure

Head of Infrastructure & Security Operations | Dubai, UAEwe are partnering with a leading, diversified enterprise in the UAE with a strong legacy and presence across multiple sectors. They prioritize digital transformation, operational resilience, and enterprise-grade security, providing a dynamic environment for IT leaders to make a real impact.About the Role:We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to drive Infrastructure and Security Operations. This senior role is responsible for ensuring secure, reliable, and cost-effective IT services across the organization. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in infrastructure architecture, cloud platforms, and security operations, along with a proven track record of leading high-performing IT teams.Key Responsibilities:Infrastructure Operations:Lead enterprise infrastructure services, including data centers, cloud platforms, networks, storage, backup, and endpoint management.Ensure availability, performance, and scalability of IT systems supporting business-critical applications.Manage infrastructure projects, upgrades, and integrations aligned with IT strategy.Oversee desktop support and helpdesk operations.Drive automation and modernization initiatives to improve efficiency and reliability.Optimize cloud (OCI, Azure, Google Cloud) and on-premise environments for cost and performance.Security Operations Oversight:Lead the Security Operations Center (SOC) with 24×7 monitoring, incident detection, and response.Oversee SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, DLP, vulnerability, and patch-management programs.Coordinate incident response and disaster recovery readiness.Ensure compliance with security governance policies and collaborate on audits.Leadership & Vendor Management:Manage vendor and service-provider relationships to ensure SLA adherence and high performance.Lead and mentor infrastructure and SOC teams, fostering operational excellence.Collaborate across IT and business teams to integrate security and infrastructure strategies.Reporting & Governance:Define and monitor KPIs and operational metrics for infrastructure and security.Report on infrastructure health, incidents, and vulnerabilities to executive leadership.Support audit and compliance activities as part of enterprise governance frameworks.Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electronics, or related field.ITIL certification (Manager/Expert preferred).Cloud certifications (Azure, AWS, Oracle) are a plus.Security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or GIAC preferred.12–15 years of IT infrastructure and operations experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.Proven expertise in cloud infrastructure, networks, virtualization, and system administration.Experience managing SOC teams and enterprise security operations.Strong background in vendor management, hybrid cloud, and enterprise security frameworks.Skills & Competencies:Strategic and analytical thinkingStrong leadership and communication skillsDeep technical understanding of IT infrastructure and security toolsAbility to manage large, complex projects and teamsCollaborative mindset with a focus on operational excellenceWhy This Role: This is a unique opportunity to lead enterprise-wide IT infrastructure and security operations in a dynamic, growth-oriented organization, shaping the technology strategy and driving operational resilience at scale.*Due to the high volume of applications we are receiving, we kindly request that only candidates who meet all the required qualifications apply. This helps us ensure a faster and more focused recruitment process.*