Director - City OPS IT/OT Network and Security Operations

Director Of It And Ot Network & Security Operations

• Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the IT/OT Network and Security Operations function for Qiddiya City IT Operations.
• Define and execute the operational strategy for converged IT/OT environments, aligned with the City Operations Target Operating Model (TOM) and Qiddiya's digital vision.
• Establish and manage interfaces with the Network Operations Center (NOC) and Security Operations Center (SOC) for city-level infrastructure.
• Define, monitor, and enforce SLAs, KPIs, and performance metrics across internal teams and external service providers.

• Infrastructure & Network Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations, maintenance, and optimization of city-wide network infrastructure, including fiber backbone, MMRs, MDCs, and active network components.
• Manage the 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.

• Security Operations & Governance

• 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 QTECH cybersecurity standards.
• Coordinate vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits for city infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with national cybersecurity regulations (e.g., NCA) and internal Qiddiya policies.

• Transition, Handover & Acceptance

• Act as the primary City Operations IT authority for the acceptance and handover of network and security infrastructure from QTECH, MDU, and District Master Developers.
• 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 the lifecycle.

• Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships and operational contracts with neutral hosts, data center operators, and managed service providers.
• Collaborate closely with QTECH Design teams to ensure alignment on architecture, shared services, and governance frameworks.
• Engage with Business Units (e.g., Transport, Utilities, Security) to ensure IT/OT infrastructure meets operational and use-case requirements

Requirements

• ****Education****
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• 12-15 years of progressive experience in network engineering, IT/OT operations, and cybersecurity, including at least 5 years in a 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 a strong understanding of industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, and IoT network architectures.
• Demonstrated experience in transitioning infrastructure from construction and delivery phases into stable, live operations.

Technical Skills & Certifications

• Deep expertise in network routing, switching, and topology design (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, or equivalent technologies).
• Strong knowledge of OT cybersecurity standards and frameworks (e.g., IEC 62443, NIST).
• Experience with physical security network infrastructure, including CCTV, VMS, and ACS systems.
• Relevant industry certifications are highly desirable, such as:
• + Networking: CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent.
• + Security: CISSP, CISM, GICSP, or equivalent.
• + Service Management: ITIL v4.
• ****Core Competencies****
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the 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