Job Description

Head of Enterprise Data Platforms - First Abu Dhabi Bank - Abu Dhabi, UAE
Position Overview
Head of Enterprise Data Platforms at First Abu Dhabi Bank in Abu Dhabi leads the strategic design, modernization, and governance of the bank's enterprise data platforms. This role delivers a secure, scalable, and resilient data foundation that enables data-driven decision-making, advanced analytics, AI and agentic initiatives, and regulatory compliance across all business units, supporting the bank's digital transformation agenda.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Banking
Function: MIS Management (CIO-CTO-VP)
Salary: 55000-80000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise data platform strategy aligned with the bank's digital, AI, and agentic roadmap
• Lead the design and implementation of modern, cloud-based data architectures including data lakehouse, data fabric, and real-time streaming platforms
• Drive data estate simplification by decommissioning redundant, obsolete, and non-scalable platforms and duplicate tooling
• Oversee enterprise-wide integration of structured and unstructured data sources
• Ensure high availability, scalability, security, and performance of data platforms across environments
• Establish and enforce data governance, metadata management, and data lineage practices in collaboration with the Data Governance unit
• Enable self-service analytics and advanced use cases by partnering with data science, analytics, business, and operations teams
• Drive adoption of DevOps and DataOps practices to enable continuous delivery and automation
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate emerging technologies to enhance platform capabilities
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and audit standards
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams of data engineers, architects, and platform specialists
• Develop and manage the data platform budget, ensuring cost efficiency and operational effectiveness
• Report platform performance, adoption metrics, and value realization to executive leadership
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement within the data function
• Represent the bank in industry forums and contribute to thought leadership on enterprise data platform strategy

Ideal Profile

• Extensive experience leading enterprise data platform strategy and large-scale data modernization programs
• Deep technical expertise in cloud-native data platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP, including data lakehouse technologies, data mesh, and real-time streaming
• Strong leadership capability with proven experience influencing senior stakeholders across business and technology domains
• Solid understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, security best practices, and privacy regulations including UAE Central Bank requirements and GDPR
• Demonstrated expertise in program and change management for complex, multi-year data initiatives
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with business, IT, and regulatory stakeholders
• Proven track record in optimizing total cost of ownership through FINOPS practices and tooling simplification

Why Join Us

• Lead enterprise-scale data and AI enablement at the UAE's largest bank
• Shape the future data architecture supporting analytics, AI, and digital transformation
• Work closely with executive leadership on strategic, high-impact initiatives
• Competitive executive-level compensation and benefits aligned with the Abu Dhabi banking market

About the Company
First Abu Dhabi Bank is the UAE's largest bank and one of the world's most established financial institutions, offering a comprehensive range of corporate, investment, retail, private, and Islamic banking services. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, FAB is recognized for its strong governance, technology-led innovation, and commitment to delivering secure, data-driven financial solutions that support sustainable growth for customers, employees, and communities.
Job Title Head of Enterprise Data Platforms - First Abu Dhabi Bank - Abu Dhabi, UAE
Head of Enterprise Data Platforms - First Abu Dhabi Bank - Abu Dhabi, UAE
Position Overview
Head of Enterprise Data Platforms at First Abu Dhabi Bank in Abu Dhabi leads the strategic design, modernization, and governance of the bank's enterprise data platforms. This role delivers a secure, scalable, and resilient data foundation that enables data-driven decision-making, advanced analytics, AI and agentic initiatives, and regulatory compliance across all business units, supporting the bank's digital transformation agenda.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Banking
Function: MIS Management (CIO-CTO-VP)
Salary: 55000-80000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise data platform strategy aligned with the bank's digital, AI, and agentic roadmap
• Lead the design and implementation of modern, cloud-based data architectures including data lakehouse, data fabric, and real-time streaming platforms
• Drive data estate simplification by decommissioning redundant, obsolete, and non-scalable platforms and duplicate tooling
• Oversee enterprise-wide integration of structured and unstructured data sources
• Ensure high availability, scalability, security, and performance of data platforms across environments
• Establish and enforce data governance, metadata management, and data lineage practices in collaboration with the Data Governance unit
• Enable self-service analytics and advanced use cases by partnering with data science, analytics, business, and operations teams
• Drive adoption of DevOps and DataOps practices to enable continuous delivery and automation
• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate emerging technologies to enhance platform capabilities
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and audit standards
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams of data engineers, architects, and platform specialists
• Develop and manage the data platform budget, ensuring cost efficiency and operational effectiveness
• Report platform performance, adoption metrics, and value realization to executive leadership
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement within the data function
• Represent the bank in industry forums and contribute to thought leadership on enterprise data platform strategy

Ideal Profile

• Extensive experience leading enterprise data platform strategy and large-scale data modernization programs
• Deep technical expertise in cloud-native data platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP, including data lakehouse technologies, data mesh, and real-time streaming
• Strong leadership capability with proven experience influencing senior stakeholders across business and technology domains
• Solid understanding of data governance, data quality frameworks, security best practices, and privacy regulations including UAE Central Bank requirements and GDPR
• Demonstrated expertise in program and change management for complex, multi-year data initiatives
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with business, IT, and regulatory stakeholders
• Proven track record in optimizing total cost of ownership through FINOPS practices and tooling simplification

Why Join Us

• Lead enterprise-scale data and AI enablement at the UAE's largest bank
• Shape the future data architecture supporting analytics, AI, and digital transformation
• Work closely with executive leadership on strategic, high-impact initiatives
• Competitive executive-level compensation and benefits aligned with the Abu Dhabi banking market

About the Company
First Abu Dhabi Bank is the UAE's largest bank and one of the world's most established financial institutions, offering a comprehensive range of corporate, investment, retail, private, and Islamic banking services. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, FAB is recognized for its strong governance, technology-led innovation, and commitment to delivering secure, data-driven financial solutions that support sustainable growth for customers, employees, and communities.
Post Details
Job Start Date
Salary from 55000.00
Salary to 80000.00
Number of Vacancies 1
Location -
Location City Abu Dhabi
Desired Candidate's Profile
Gender No Preference
Nationality
Candidate Current Location

Skills Required