Senior Manager, Smart Cities & Virtual Products, KEZAD Group

Job Description

The Economic Cities and Free Zones Cluster is a key driver of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy, expected to contribute 15% of its GDP by 2030. With a strong industrial foundation spanning 550 sq km, its growth focuses on expanding product offerings, integrating smart city technologies, and enhancing competitiveness. As a Smart Cities and Virtual Products Manager in KEZAD’s Product Development team, you will lead cross-functional teams to develop innovative, technology-driven solutions for smart city and sustainability projects, shaping strategy, planning, and infrastructure integration to improve urban resilience and livability.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership: Lead the conceptualization, planning, and design of smart city projects, ensuring alignment with project objectives, budget constraints, and regulatory requirements.
• Team Management: Manage/coordinate a direct and wider team of professionals, including engineers, architects, urban planners, and IT specialists, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure project success and employee development.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary point of contact for senior leaders and external partners regarding smart cities initiatives/projects; building and maintaining strong relationships through regular communication and project updates.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical leadership and expertise in the design and implementation of smart city infrastructure, including transportation systems, utilities, buildings, and public spaces, integrating innovative technologies such as IoT, AI, and data analytics.
• Innovation and Research: Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in smart city design and infrastructure development and incorporate innovative solutions into project designs to drive sustainable and resilient urban development.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure the quality and accuracy of project deliverables, conducting reviews, assessments, and audits to uphold design standards and regulatory compliance.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Foster collaboration and coordination among internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and stakeholders to streamline project workflows, resolve issues, and optimize resource utilization.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and challenges, proactively addressing issues related to scope creep, schedule delays, budget overruns, and technical constraints.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish performance metrics and KPIs to track project progress, evaluate outcomes, and drive continuous improvement in project delivery processes and methodologies.
• Product Development: Drive/support product development efforts by identifying opportunities for new projects and asset enhancements, preparing proposals and delivering presentations to improve KEZAD's value proposition in smart city infrastructure design

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams on complex projects, preferably in the context of smart city initiatives and/or experience in developing digital strategies and implementing digital transformation in large organisations
• Experience leading projects through all phases of the lifecycle: Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and resources to meet project objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Familiar with relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practices in smart city planning, design, and implementation.
• Strong appreciation of the ‘Smart Cities Landscape’ in the Middle East and have networks within the supply chain/vendor environment
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively interact with senior leaders, colleagues, vendors and external partners. Successful track record in a customer facing/consulting role is a bonus.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of delivering innovative solutions to address urban challenges.
• Strong understanding and experience in an asset intensive industry i.e. Aviation, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Rail, Highways and Marine/Ports
• Familiar with master-planning and urban design processes
• Deep interest and continuously augments knowledge in sustainability, resilience, and equitable urban development, with a commitment to creating inclusive and thriving communities through smart city solutions
• Demonstrable success in managing and mentoring direct and skip level reports
• Bachelor's degree in related technologies, urban planning, architecture, or specific specialization in smart infrastructure or similar (master’s degree preferred).
• High proficiency in written and spoken English is a must
• Knowledge of Arabic is an added benefit
• 10+ years of experience advising and/or implementing infrastructure design and project management – across all phases of digital transformation and smart city projects – with a focus on urban development, transportation, utilities, or related fields