Role summary
Critical leadership role within City Operations IT, responsible for end-to-end management, reliability, and security of Qiddiya's converged IT and Operational Technology infrastructure. Leads operational readiness, infrastructure acceptance, and ongoing management of city-wide digital platforms, including fiber networks, active network equipment, smart city systems, and physical security networks. Serves as a key bridge between enterprise IT and industrial OT environments.
Responsibilities
- Lead IT/OT Network and Security Operations function for Qiddiya City IT Operations
- Define and execute operational strategy for converged IT/OT environments, aligned with City Operations Target Operating Model and Qiddiya's digital vision
- Establish and manage interfaces with Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center for city-level infrastructure
- Define, monitor, and enforce SLAs, KPIs, and performance metrics across internal teams and external service providers
- Oversee day-to-day operations, maintenance, and optimization of city-wide network infrastructure, including fiber backbone, MMRs, and MDCs
- Manage operational lifecycle of OT networks supporting smart city use cases across utilities, transportation, and facility management
- Ensure high availability, resilience, and redundancy of critical network topologies supporting city operations
- Lead incident management, root cause analysis, and resolution of complex IT/OT network issues
- Oversee operational security systems and their supporting network infrastructure
- Implement and monitor cybersecurity controls across OT environments, including network segregation, access control, and threat detection, aligned with cybersecurity standards
- Coordinate vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits for city infrastructure
- Ensure compliance with national cybersecurity regulations and internal Qiddiya policies
- Act as primary City Operations IT authority for acceptance and handover of network and security infrastructure
- Define operational readiness criteria, testing protocols, and documentation standards for onboarding new assets
- Participate in design reviews to ensure operational, maintainability, and security requirements are embedded early in lifecycle
- Manage relationships and operational contracts with neutral hosts, data center operators, and managed service providers
- Collaborate closely with design teams to ensure alignment on architecture, shared services, and governance frameworks
- Engage with Business Units to ensure IT/OT infrastructure meets operational and use-case requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, or related engineering discipline
- 12–15 years of progressive experience in network engineering, IT/OT operations, and cybersecurity, including at least 5 years in senior leadership role
- Proven track record in managing large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure within complex environments such as smart cities, giga-projects, utilities, or industrial sectors
- Extensive experience bridging IT and OT environments, with strong understanding of industrial control systems, SCADA, and IoT network architectures
- Demonstrated experience in transitioning infrastructure from construction and delivery phases into stable, live operations
Requirements
- Deep expertise in network routing, switching, and topology design
- Strong knowledge of OT cybersecurity standards and frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST
- Experience with physical security network infrastructure, including CCTV, VMS, and ACS systems
- Relevant industry certifications highly desirable: CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent; CISSP, CISM, GICSP, or equivalent; ITIL v4
- Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive leadership
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced, and evolving environments
- Strong vendor management and contract negotiation expertise
Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, or related engineering discipline
Experience
12–15 years of progressive experience in network engineering, IT/OT operations, and cybersecurity, including at least 5 years in senior leadership role
Skills
- Network routing, switching, and topology design
- Industrial control systems and SCADA architecture
- OT cybersecurity standards and frameworks
- Physical security network infrastructure
- Stakeholder management and cross-functional communication
- Strategic problem-solving and decision-making
- Vendor management and contract negotiation
Education · Experience · Type
Bachelor'sRequires 12+ yearsSalary not stated