KSA Head of Systems Vice President

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned and strategic KSA Head of Systems Vice President to oversee the comprehensive delivery, maintenance, and governance of all IT systems and infrastructure for our Riyadh Branch. In this pivotal leadership role, you will ensure the seamless execution of daily operations while adhering to stringent internal control standards and regulatory requirements. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining the reliability, security, and compliance of critical Saudi financial systems, including SARIE and Tantfeeth platforms, while driving operational excellence and fostering innovation within the Systems Department.

Key Responsibilities

• System Ownership & Regulatory Compliance: Act as the local system owner for critical Saudi regulatory systems such as SARIE and Tantfeeth, ensuring uninterrupted service availability, robust incident governance, seamless vendor coordination, and full compliance with SAMA and other regulatory frameworks.
• Infrastructure Governance & Performance Management: Provide governance oversight for a wide range of infrastructure services, including end-user computing, data centre operations (local and regional), server management, network appliances, voice recorders, and mobile/desktop devices. Ensure accurate KPI/KRI reporting and maintain alignment with regional and global technology standards.
• Incident & Problem Management: Lead incident management processes by classifying incidents, coordinating resolution efforts with local and global teams, conducting thorough root cause analysis, and representing the branch in post-incident reviews and audits to drive continuous improvement.
• Information Security & Data Protection: Implement and enforce information security controls in collaboration with regional/global CISO functions. Coordinate mandatory security training, act as the local coordinator during security incidents, and ensure adherence to the SAMA Cyber Security Framework. Serve as the Data Protection Business Process Owner (BPO) for the Systems Department, maintaining compliance with data protection policies, coordinating Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), and implementing technical and organisational measures to safeguard sensitive data.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Develop, maintain, and test up-to-date disaster recovery (DR) plans in alignment with Business Continuity Management (BCM) programmes. Coordinate annual DR exercises with global technology teams, vendors, and the BCM Manager, documenting outcomes thoroughly to meet SAMA and other regulatory requirements.
• Vendor & Procurement Management: Manage relationships with local technology vendors by overseeing contract performance, conducting audits, and ensuring procurement and licensing compliance. Contribute valuable input to regional budgeting and investment requests to support strategic technology initiatives.
• Team Leadership & Development: Line manage the Riyadh Systems team by setting clear objectives, conducting performance reviews, identifying training needs, and fostering a culture of collaboration and skills development. Promote cross-functional teamwork across MENA and EMEA technology teams to enhance operational efficiency and innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Represent MUFG at external functions such as conferences, seminars, and industry consortiums. Develop and nurture relationships with peer banks to share best practices, and support audits by providing timely documentation, evidence, and responses to ensure compliance and transparency.

Your Qualifications & Experience

To excel in this role, you must possess a minimum of 7 years of experience in Financial Services IT within regulated banking environments, with a proven track record in ensuring system availability and compliance. As a Saudi National, you will bring an in-depth understanding of local regulatory requirements and market dynamics. The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience leading IT teams or managing vendors, preferably within a financial institution supporting regulatory payment systems such as SARIE or similar platforms.
• A relevant university degree or equivalent qualification in Information Technology, complemented by Microsoft Certified Engineer status (Active Directory, Windows Server 2008 R2 or later, Windows 7, MS Office 2010 or later).
• Hands-on expertise in operating systems (Linux, Windows, AIX), database management (Sybase), Citrix environments, and browser troubleshooting. Experience supporting T24 core banking systems is highly desirable.
• A comprehensive understanding of information security controls, including access control, cryptography, and SIEM, as well as project management methodologies and report preparation techniques.
• Exceptional communication skills, organisational ability, and the capacity to produce accurate reports, documentation, and audit evidence under tight deadlines. A structured and logical approach to problem-solving is essential.
• Experience in business continuity and disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution within a banking context. Familiarity with BCM integration and cyber DR event scenarios is advantageous.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster collaboration and teamwork across diverse groups, supporting the development of junior staff and promoting a high-performance culture.

If you are a results-driven IT leader with a passion for driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation in a dynamic banking environment, we invite you to apply for this critical role.