Regional IT Manager
Alfardan Group & Automotive
Total years of experience :19 years, 10 Months
Led strategic planning and operational management, overseeing Cloud Computing, Data Centers, Infrastructure, Active Directory, security, Digital Transformation, Network, and company applications across all business units within Alfardan Group and Automobiles (Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, Land Rover, BMW, and others).
Initiated and executed cloud computing strategies, emphasizing security, implementing group policies, and driving digital transformation for websites, ecommerce, and mobile applications, including digital signature implementation.
Managed system administration, prioritizing efficiency and scalability in IT operations.
Provided high-quality support and expedited resolution of IT issues through effective service desk leadership, achieving an exceptional 96% internal employee satisfaction rate.
Supervised Microsoft Enterprise Agreements for Office 365 and Azure, optimizing licensing and ensuring compliance with a budget of $3 million, covering all business units of Alfardan Group and Automobiles.
Oversaw an annual IT budget exceeding $3 million, excluding project expenditures.
Guided a team of 25 professionals in Qatar and Oman, offering support to other business units as needed.
Managed a significant multibrand project valued at over $4 million, spanning 45, 000 sqm in one location. This encompassed CCTV, network infrastructure, data centers, access doors, Azure Cloud deployment, and applications.
Achieved a 60% cost reduction in network infrastructure by implementing SDWAN
technology.
Ensured high-performance levels and compliance with SLAs and contracts from
external service providers
Oversee IT operations for a diverse group, managing Cloud computing, Data Centers, Infrastructure, Active Directory, security, Digital transformation, Network, and company applications across entities like Nissan, Infinity, Renault, Harvey Nichols, Bateel Cafe, and others.
Formulate cost-effective IT strategic plans and budgets exceeding $2 million for business activities across all companies, excluding projects.
Coordinate with local and international vendors for hardware, software, and IT services.
Lead and mentor a team of 16, ensuring skill development and staff motivation.
Develop and enforce policies for the protection of IT assets, ensuring integrity, security, and privacy.
Coordinate with local and international vendors for hardware, software, and IT services.
Lead and mentor a team of 16, ensuring skill development and staff motivation.
Develop and enforce policies for the protection of IT assets, ensuring integrity, security, and privacy.
Manage IT operations services, incidents, problems, and change management.
Oversee LAN, WAN, WLAN installation, configuration, and maintenance.
Monitor and manage the company's Data Center, Software Applications, Cloud Azure, and key IT components.
Manage Active Directory, Exchange Server, Office 365, and other critical systems.
Ensure high-performance levels and compliance with SLAs and contracts from external service providers.
Successfully migrated Exchange to Office 365 Cloud and key applications to Azure for enhanced efficiency and scalability.
Lead digital transformation initiatives, overseeing websites, mobile applications, ecommerce,
business intelligence reports and digital signature implementation.
- Oversee IT perspective for more than 100 stores Fashion, Multimedia and F&B including Back office.
- Work with all the Department Heads, Regional office and stores Managers to implement the Information Technology strategic plan activities cost-effective and consistent with strategies of the business.
- Recruit, train, motivate, and evaluate team to ensure necessary skill base of the department and staff’s motivation, potential, and contribution to the company.
- Ensure follow-up of security and business continuity process frameworks, documented ICT procedures, security, and disaster recovery.
- Respond to end users inquiries concerning systems operations and Network support, diagnose system hardware, and software problems with minimum time require.
- Develop and enforces policy and procedures to ensure the protection of enterprise IT assets and the integrity, security and privacy of information
- Coordinate, negotiate and purchase software, hardware and network information systems.
- Manage and administer all IT assets which include Databases and Applications, Servers, and Workstations, Printers, Firewalls, Routers, Switches, WLC, Access Points, ape library, Storage, CCTV, etc.
- Maintain tape library for Information Technology Data backups locally and monitor the online backup for disaster recovery site.
-Overseeing the software training for existing and new staff to ensure they are able to competently use computer software and hardware.
-Interacting with users on a daily basis to be able to see and understand their IT problems and provide competent solutions.
-Monitor and manage performance of services by external service providers as agreed in relevant SLA and contracts, achieve and maintain service levels.
-Manage IT department operations & Budget including staff direction, and support administrative computing, networking, user services, telecommunications, and information technology functions.
Preserved records, and managed network infrastructure including routers, firewalls, switches, servers, storage, and cisco telephony.
Trained back office users and IT department, responded to client inquiries regarding system operation and diagnoses system; installed hardware and software, as well as audited systems Delivered technical support to operators for problems related to the network, software, operating systems, and hardware diagnosis.
Responded to users' inquiries, conveyed optimized solutions to software operations, and coordinated with external solution providers, network services and other information system groups Directed research and new technologies, submitted final technical report to hierarchy, delivered appropriate training for new IT infrastructure and networked team members on equipment, software, and manuals.
Accountable for infrastructure, design, installation, and support for both new and existing customers; Maintained records, diagrams, and procedures for network infrastructure, encompassing Cisco Routers, firewalls, switches, servers, and storage
Configured, monitored, and provided support for network Routers and switches.
Optimized network performance by implementing policies to restrict users from full internet access and downloading large files using Microsoft proxy server.
Installed and configured server systems based on Microsoft technology, including
Windows 2000, 2003, Exchange Server 2003, and ISA Server 2004.
Developed strategies for user rights, accounts, group policy, file sharing, and printer sharing, utilizing Symantec antivirus for enhanced security
Master Degree in Computers & Telecoms Engineering