Job description

The IT Manager at Dubai Future Foundation oversees the deployment, maintenance, and continual optimization of core IT and research data platforms to support advanced research, development and innovation activities that position Dubai as a future-forward innovation hub. The role partners with department leadership to design and deliver IT capabilities aligned to the research, development and innovation program and strategy; leads the design, deployment and maintenance of secure, scalable IT environments; and supports digital projects such as a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) for health data, ensuring compliance with ISO 27001, NIST, DESC ISR, and UAE PDPL. Using Agile methodologies and Azure DevOps (boards, repos, pipelines), the IT Manager ensures timely, iterative delivery; oversees integration of core platforms including collaboration portals, CRM, grant management systems and external partner interfaces; and supports the refresh of program websites and portals in line with new branding and user needs. The role ensures resilience through backup, recovery and disaster recovery frameworks; manages third-party service providers end-to-end (RFPs, technical evaluations, contracts, renewals, SLA performance); produces SOPs, technical documentation and training materials to drive adoption across internal teams and external research partners; and stays current on emerging technologies across servers, networks, virtualization, cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), enterprise SaaS, TREs, HPC and health data platforms, recommending improvements to enable research excellence and international collaboration.