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Are you ready to shape how cutting-edge technologies are positioned, understood, and adopted by real markets At VentureOne, we build ventures and commercialize breakthrough technologies emerging from advanced research. Our focus spans Aerospace and Space, Security and Defense, Sustainability, Environment and Energy, and Transportation, with technologies across Cryptography, Secure Systems, Directed Energy, Advanced Materials, Autonomous Systems, and more.
About The Role
The Program Director will own end-to-end delivery of a large-scale Industry 4.0 transformation program to design, build, install and commission a next-generation, highly automated smart manufacturing facility in the UAE. This is the single accountable delivery leader for the entire program installation, from design validation and factory acceptance through on-site installation, integration, commissioning, go-live, ramp-up and operational stabilisation.
The program brings together a curated ecosystem of more than 10 international OEMs, technology partners and specialist suppliers contributing across machining, assembly automation, robotics, intelligent storage, autonomous transport, and the digital/MES layer. The Program Director is responsible for orchestrating this multi-vendor environment into one seamless, fully connected manufacturing ecosystem, ensuring every package integrates on schedule, on cost and to specification within a secure, sovereign, on-premise architecture.
The role leads the program's delivery organization: Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and PMO that operates within a PMO-led governance structure, using digital tools, data-driven reporting and AI-enabled insights to proactively manage delivery performance, risk, commissioning readiness and operational handover. It demands strong leadership of complex industrial programs involving advanced manufacturing technologies, IT/OT integration and operational readiness in highly regulated, highly governed environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Own overall delivery accountability for the entire program installation across all solution packages: machining, assembly automation, robotics, intelligent storage, autonomous transport and digital/MES, from design freeze to steady-state operations
- Lead and coordinate 10+ OEMs and specialist suppliers, managing interfaces, dependencies and end-to-end delivery responsibility so there are no inter-vendor gaps
- Own the integrated master schedule, milestones, critical delivery path and interface plan across all packages and vendors
- Lead the on-site installation, integration and commissioning campaign end to end, sequencing multi-vendor works into a coherent, safe and schedule-compliant installation program
- Build and lead the program delivery organisation, providing direction to Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and PMO, and acting as senior escalation point for technical, commercial, integration and vendor-related issues
- Lead program governance: steering committee and CXO-level reporting, decision tracking, escalation management, and executive updates
- Oversee FAT, SAT, integration testing, commissioning, qualification and acceptance activities across all systems and vendors, and own commissioning-readiness and go-live decisions
- Drive proactive management of risks, issues, dependencies and recovery/re-planning across the full program lifecycle
- Ensure adherence to program governance, scope control, contractual commitments, change management and claims management across the vendor portfolio
- Oversee integration across automation, robotics, MES, digital platforms, utilities, infrastructure and operational workstreams, and interface with the engineering organisation on design-to-delivery handover
- Monitor delivery KPIs: schedule, cost, quality, commissioning readiness, OEE readiness and operational performance by using digital dashboards, analytics and AI-enabled reporting to drive data-driven decisions
- Lead operational readiness, production ramp-up, knowledge transfer and transition to steady-state operations, including handover to the maintenance team
- Own commercial delivery performance of the program against budget, and support the Program Head on contractual, commercial and stakeholder matters
- Drive continuous improvement across delivery, governance, reporting and operational performance
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Manufacturing, Automation or a related field
- 12+ years managing large-scale industrial, automation, manufacturing or infrastructure programs, with proven experience at program-director / delivery-lead level
- Proven UAE-based delivery experience on a comparable large-scale program — must have personally delivered a program of similar scale and complexity within the UAE, not just regional exposure
- Demonstrated hands-on experience importing and mobilising complex capital equipment into the UAE
- Direct experience delivering into secure, sovereign or restricted-access environments with elevated compliance, clearance and export-control requirements
- Demonstrated experience owning full program delivery through design, installation, commissioning and go-live in a multi-vendor, multi-disciplinary, highly governed environment
- Proven track record coordinating a large ecosystem of OEMs and suppliers (10+) across a major delivery program
- Experience leading and developing project management and PMO teams
- Strong knowledge of program governance, program controls, risk management, change/claims management and delivery-assurance frameworks
- Experience managing complex integration environments spanning automation, digital platforms, manufacturing systems and IT/OT coordination
- Experience leading commissioning, operational readiness, production ramp-up or industrialisation activities
- Strong stakeholder management, leadership, communication and executive decision-making capabilities
- Experience with digital project management tools, reporting dashboards and data-driven delivery methodologies
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience delivering Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, MES, industrial automation or digital manufacturing programs
- Exposure to robotics, IIoT, AI-enabled manufacturing systems, digital twin platforms or advanced analytics environments
- Experience within aerospace, defense or other highly regulated industrial sectors
- Experience managing system integration across manufacturing, automation, software and operational-technology domains
- Familiarity with operational-excellence frameworks including OEE optimisation, Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
- Experience managing factory commissioning, stabilisation and operational handover
- Experience working with international OEMs, technology vendors and large-scale industrial ecosystems
- PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent program/project management certification
- Experience in the wider GCC region
How To Apply
Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with VentureOne If you're a visionary with a passion for innovation, we want to hear from you. To apply, please send your resume detailing your relevant experience and why you're the perfect fit for this role.
At VentureOne, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Join us in shaping the future of business. Apply today and let's venture into a world of possibilities together!
