Director – AI Change & Adoption

Established in 2004, Dubai Holding is a global investment company with investments in more than 34 countries and a combined workforce of nearly 45,000 individuals. In line with the vision of Dubai's leadership and economic diversification strategy, Dubai Holding companies have nurtured sectors, irrevocably transforming Dubai's socio-economic landscape and positioning Dubai as a diversified, globally integrated economy.

Dubai Holding is committed to the diversification of Dubai's non-oil economy. Our portfolio, valued at over AED 280+ billion, spans 10 sectors, including real estate, hospitality, leisure & entertainment, ICT, design, education, media, retail, manufacturing & logistics, and science.

For the Good of Tomorrow

Dubai Holding is looking to hire a Director – AI Change & Adoption. The role holder is responsible for leading a transformational AI enablement mandate across Dubai Holding Group and its subsidiary entities. Sitting within Group Strategy, the Director – AI Change & Adoption partners with business leaders, People & Culture functions, and technology teams across all entities to define and deliver an AI adoption agenda that changes the way people work, think, and collaborate at scale. The role is pivotal in building the capabilities needed to thrive in an AI-first world — spanning real estate, hospitality, entertainment, investment and media verticals — and ensuring that innovation in artificial intelligence translates into measurable shifts in workforce behaviour, culture, and commercial performance.

If you are driven by integrity, curiosity, and a passion for uncovering insights that shape better decisions, we would be delighted to connect with you.

Key Responsibilities:

AI Adoption Strategy

• Develop and own the Group-wide AI adoption strategy, covering Microsoft Copilot, Claude (Anthropic), Palantir Foundry, and other enterprise AI tools, ensuring coherent adoption across all Group companies

• Define phased roadmaps that sequence capability building, tool deployment, and cultural change across diverse business entities

• Identify, prioritise, and validate AI use cases that deliver measurable commercial, operational, and workforce productivity outcomes

Microsoft Partnership & Rollouts

• Lead the planning and execution of large-scale Microsoft technology implementations, including programmes with a Microsoft investment or co-delivery component

• Work closely with Microsoft account teams and internal stakeholders to maximise value from the strategic partnership, including co-investment, co-sell, and funded deployment arrangements

• Oversee governance of Microsoft 365, Copilot, and Azure-based adoption programmes across Group entities

Change Management

• Design and lead large-scale change programmes that drive measurable shifts in workforce behaviour, embedding AI tools into everyday workflows rather than treating them as standalone initiatives

• Apply structured change methodologies to manage resistance, build readiness, and sustain adoption through transition

• Champion a human-centred approach to AI transformation, balancing innovation with workforce wellbeing and ethical stewardship

Culture & Engagement

• Build an AI-centric growth culture across diverse entities — defining the mindsets, norms, and leadership behaviours that allow AI adoption to take root and scale

• Design and execute internal communications and engagement campaigns that create excitement, reduce fear, and drive sustained participation across large, distributed workforces

• Foster a culture of transparency and shared purpose by communicating the impact of AI initiatives on individual and enterprise KPIs

Capability Building

• Commission, design, and oversee AI literacy and upskilling programmes tailored to different workforce segments, from frontline employees to senior executives

• Partner with People & Culture functions to embed AI skills development into talent frameworks, performance management, and career pathways

• Establish communities of practice and peer learning networks to sustain capability growth beyond formal programmes

Data & Insight

• Use platforms such as Palantir Foundry, Power BI, and other analytics tools to measure adoption, identify gaps, and demonstrate the ROI of the human capital investment in AI

• Define and track key adoption metrics, including usage rates, productivity uplift, and behavioural change indicators, reporting to senior leadership on a regular cadence

• Apply data-driven insights to prioritise interventions and course-correct programme delivery in real time

Stakeholder Engagement

• Influence and align Entity CEOs, Technology Directors, Heads of HR, and Group leadership on priorities, progress, and investment cases for AI enablement

• Serve as the principal thought leader and trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on AI adoption, change management, and workforce transformation

• Lead high-impact steering committees and strategic planning sessions to surface synergies and unlock Group-wide value from AI investment

Governance & Frameworks

• Establish policies, frameworks, and accountability structures that sustain AI adoption beyond the initial rollout phase

• Define and enforce governance standards for responsible AI use, including compliance, explainability, and ethical considerations across all workforce touchpoints

• Develop and maintain a Group-wide AI adoption playbook, capturing lessons learned and best practices for scaling across entities

Who we are looking for:

• 8-10 years of experience in organisational change, IT transformation, or people-led digital transformation

• Proven track record of driving AI or technology adoption at scale in large, complex organisations

• Strong experience delivering large-scale Microsoft implementations — including Microsoft 365, Copilot, or Azure-based programmes — ideally in organisations with a formal Microsoft investment or strategic partnership arrangement

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Copilot, Claude/Anthropic tools, Palantir Foundry or equivalent enterprise AI platforms

• Familiarity with data and analytics platforms such as Palantir Foundry, Power BI, Splunk, etc.

• Prior experience working across multi-entity or conglomerate structures; experience in the UAE or wider GCC is preferred

• Arabic language skills strongly preferred

Education / Professional Certifications:

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Organisational Psychology, Computer Science, Human Resources, or a related field

Preferred:

• Master's degree (MBA, MSc in Organisational Change, Digital Transformation, or related discipline) from a recognised institution

• Relevant certifications in change management (e.g., Prosci, APMG) or Microsoft technology programmes

Technical Competencies:

• Proven ability to translate AI and technology strategy into pragmatic, phased delivery plans within complex, multi-stakeholder environments

• Exceptional campaign design and communications skills — able to inspire and mobilise at every level of the organisation

• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to build investment cases, measure impact, and report ROI to senior leadership

• Culturally fluent — experienced working across diverse, multinational teams in the UAE or wider GCC

• Adept at navigating vendor relationships, particularly with large technology partners such as Microsoft and Palantir

• Data-driven decision-maker — uses evidence to prioritise, course-correct, and demonstrate value

• Key platforms: Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft 365, Azure, Claude (Anthropic), Palantir Foundry, Power BI, Splunk

Behavioral Competencies:

• Taking and Sustaining

• Strategic Thinking

• Delivering Excellence

• Positive Leadership

As much as we would be delighted to entertain all applicants, due to the high volumes of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted within 14 business days.

This job description is not all inclusive. Dubai Holding reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Dubai Holding is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.