IT Director (Kuwait City, Kuwait)

IT Director (Kuwait City, Kuwait)

Our client is one of the premier insurance companies in Kuwait, they specialise in life, health and auto insurance premiums.  They are an innovative technology driven insurance group which services a large market share of the Kuwait insurance market.

Role Purpose

Plan, direct and control the company’s Information Technology function to ensure the development and implementation of effective and secure IT infrastructure, in order to support the corporate strategy and growth plans of the Group and offer state-of-the-art IT solutions aligned to the business needs.

Responsibilities

• Formulate the company’s IT strategic plans and budgets, identifying the long-term direction for the IT function.
• Identify the strategic trends in the business and IT field and ensure alignment with and implementation of best practices to set state-of-the-art IT function across the company.
• Formulate the company’s overall digital transformation strategy and roadmap in line with organizational values, business objectives, and priorities.
• Participate in due diligence in order to assess the IT implications for mergers and acquisitions and recommend solutions.
• Create a cost-benefit analysis as well as support all detailed definitions of data requirements and departmental workflows.
• Lead the vendor contract negotiations for all new computer equipment and software purchased for the company.
• Establish and direct the strategic and tactical goals, policies, and procedures for the Information Technology Department.
• Responsible for the development, review and certification of all backup and disaster recovery procedures and plans.
• Assess new computing technologies to determine the potential value for the company.
• Plan and Direct the acquisition, design and development of systems hardware and software, programs, and databases, to meet management and the Company’s information management needs.
• Plan and Direct the maintenance and IT user support, including help desk, and special systems training operations of the company-wide and department-specific information systems, databases, programs, networks and voice, and imaging systems.
• Direct the inventory operations of the IT software, hardware and accessories.
• Establish and direct implementation of IT policies, standards, practices and security measures to ensure effective and consistent information processing operations and to safeguard information resources, including backup and restore policies, firewalls, anti-virus applications, contingency plans in case of failure or disaster, etc
• Report periodically on the IT department and the IT function performance, identify areas for improvement, review proposals for changes submitted by users, and management, and develop solutions, updates, and direct implementation.
• Provide information processing, systems counselling and guidance to senior management staff throughout the Group to encourage IT education and ensure smooth conversion from manual to or improvement of computer-based operations and systems.
• Maintain knowledge of developments and trends and best practices in the area of systems, software and hardware to assure new developments are incorporated in the future systems of the Company.
• Plan and maintain the R&D for various solutions to the Company with regard to the latest technology in the market.
• Oversee Internet and Computer operations.
• Oversee ongoing improvements and the feasibility of the system enhancements.
• Prepare the manpower budget pertaining to required staffing levels, training, and development, internal mobility and succession.
• Identify objectives and KPIs, review the performance and potential of staff, and make/approve decisions relating to appointment and termination, promotions and salary adjustments, disciplinary action, succession planning, and development plans.
• Ensure increasing levels of employee satisfaction and improve the efficiency of manpower.
• Make requisite attempts to handle all grievances raised by subordinates in a prompt and effective manner.

Qualifications

• Post Graduate Diploma in IT (Bachelor Degree + 1 or 2 year diploma) or equivalent degree or Certification with 14 years of experience

  or

• Alternative: Bachelor’s degree (12th Standard + 3 years or 4 years degree) or equivalent with 17 years of experience.
• Linguistic Abilities: English and Arabic is a must.
• Experience in strategic planning and execution. Knowledge of contracting, negotiating, and change management. Knowledge of information technology computer systems and software and the ability to manage the entire spectrum of information technology operations. Experience with implementation of information technology integrations in a large division/company.
• Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
• Ability to participate in and facilitate meetings.
• Project Management
• Crisis management ability
• Insurance experience is preferred.