IT Operations Lead | Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

A prominent and distinguished player in the Saudi market is seeking a dynamic professional to fill a critical leadership role: IT Operations Lead at their headquarters in Al Khobar. This position is the cornerstone for ensuring the stability, efficiency, and robustness of the technological infrastructure that powers the company's business and growing ambitions. It is an ideal opportunity for an ambitious professional seeking a leadership challenge within a dynamic and evolving work environment.

Job Overview

The IT Operations Lead will be responsible for the comprehensive oversight of all aspects of IT infrastructure and daily operations. You will lead a specialized team to ensure the smooth functioning of systems, networks, servers, and IT services, with a strong focus on high availability, cybersecurity, and compliance with industry best practices and standards. This role will be pivotal in driving digital transformation initiatives and ensuring that IT aligns with and supports the company's strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Leadership & Supervision: Lead and mentor the IT operations team, foster talent development, and ensure the highest standards of performance and accountability.
• Infrastructure Management: Oversee the management, maintenance, and evolution of core IT infrastructure including servers (cloud and on-premise), storage, networking, and telecommunications systems.
• Service & Availability Assurance: Continuously monitor system performance, ensure high service level agreements (SLAs), and respond promptly to incidents and service disruptions to minimize downtime.
• Cybersecurity & Compliance: Implement and maintain robust security policies and procedures. Ensure the IT environment complies with local regulations and internal policies.
• Project Management & Planning: Lead or participate in infrastructure upgrade and system migration projects. Contribute to strategic budget planning and technology roadmap development.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships with IT vendors and external service providers to ensure service delivery aligns with agreements.
• Documentation & Procedures: Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for architecture, operational procedures, and knowledge systems for the IT team.

Essential Qualifications and Requirements

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Engineering, or a related field. Advanced certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, CISSP, AWS/Azure Architect) are a significant advantage.
• Work Experience: Minimum of 7 to 10 years of experience in IT operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Technical Skills:
  • Hands-on, deep experience managing Microsoft and/or Linux environments.
  • Strong knowledge of networking (Cisco, Palo Alto, etc.), virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V), and cloud infrastructures (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and protection tools.
  • Experience with monitoring and service management tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, ServiceNow, Jira).
• Soft Skills: Excellent leadership and management abilities. Strong problem-solving skills under pressure. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English. A strong customer-service and results-oriented approach.

How to Apply

Applications for this distinguished leadership role are being accepted through the Naukrigulf online platform. Please search for the position under the title "IT Operations Lead" in Al Khobar. Ensure your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is updated to highlight your leadership experience and tangible achievements in IT operations, including relevant professional certifications. Given the senior nature of the role, the selection process will be thorough and may involve multiple interview rounds.

This opportunity offers a stimulating work environment that fosters both leadership and technical skills, with clear paths for professional growth within the company structure. It is suited for the professional who seeks to make a real impact and lead the technology team in an ambitious organization.