Artificial Intelligence Program Manager

About United Al Saqer Group

Operating in the UAE for over four decades, United Al Saqer Group (UASG) is a prominent multi-industry conglomerate managing six companies across sectors including automotive, heavy equipment, property management, construction, and joinery.

Role Overview

The AI Program Manager will spearhead UASG’s comprehensive AI integration across all departments such as IT, Human Resources, and Finance. Embedded within Group IT, this key strategic position is responsible for defining and driving the AI roadmap, governance, and outcome measurement to achieve quantifiable business transformation. The role collaborates with subsidiary businesses and corporate functions ensuring projects align with organizational standards, security, and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and iteratively enhance the organization's enterprise-wide AI strategy and phased rollout plan, aligning each project with business objectives and digital transformation targets.
• Standardize AI initiatives, priorities, and funding across subsidiaries through continuous steering committee engagement and portfolio evaluation.
• Lead AI projects from conception through implementation by presiding over a multidisciplinary AI task force composed of data scientists, business intelligence analysts, IT developers, and process specialists; employ Agile methodologies where appropriate.
• Ensure all AI initiatives meet defined ROI targets by establishing baseline metrics, assigning benefit owners, tracking realization, and reporting performance.
• Clarify and enforce decision-making authority on AI priorities, budget allocations, data ownership, and project approvals to facilitate efficient progression.
• Provide quarterly updates on AI progress, key performance indicators, risks, and seek executive decisions as necessary.
• Cultivate an AI innovation pipeline by managing use case intake with clear problem definitions, data requirements, and ROI hypotheses.
• Collaborate with business units to deliver proofs of value along with scalable AI solutions that demonstrate measurable benefits like reduced cycle times, cost savings, or revenue growth.
• Synchronize cross-functional teams (product, data, IT, security) to ensure seamless delivery, integration, and operational readiness of AI offerings.
• Drive organizational change management efforts promoting AI adoption through communication strategies and hands-on trainings aligned with the enterprise skilling framework.
• Implement adoption plans for each AI deployment, covering user communications, training sessions, and support structures to ensure sustained usage amongst target groups.
• Define and monitor adoption KPIs including user activity, satisfaction rates, and benefit realization; publish leadership dashboards regularly.
• Establish and manage an AI champions network with periodic enablement workshops and reusable resources fostering widespread adoption.
• Partner with governance, risk, and compliance teams to embed responsible AI practices, including ethical use, data privacy, and security policy development.
• Set AI governance frameworks ensuring adherence to UAE regulations and organizational standards; collaborate with legal and cybersecurity to mitigate AI risks including oversight requirements for sensitive decisions.
• Serve as the primary contact for external AI technology vendors such as Microsoft and Oracle; evaluate new AI offerings and direct proof-of-concept trials.
• Manage vendor relationships through service level agreements, performance monitoring, value tracking, and structured business reviews with corrective actions as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• 8-10 years of professional experience in technology or digital transformation roles, including a minimum of 3 years leading AI-related programs.
• Demonstrated track record managing AI, machine learning, or data analytics initiatives.
• Knowledge of enterprise systems such as ERP and HCM, cloud computing platforms, and AI technologies.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Oracle AI solutions, Power BI, or comparable AI platforms.
• Experience working in the UAE or broader GCC region is advantageous.

Core Competencies

• Ability to strategically interpret AI vision into executable plans.
• Strong project management and change leadership skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management aptitude.
• Solid grounding in AI governance, ethical frameworks, and compliance requirements.
• Capacity to guide multifunctional teams and influence outcomes without formal authority.

Behavioral Attributes

• Customer-oriented approach, proactively addressing user challenges.
• Accountability and self-directed management ensuring delivery excellence.
• Adaptability in managing organizational change and supporting transitions.
• Collaborative mindset with ability to build networks and resolve conflicts constructively.
• Focus on results with clear goal setting and proactive achievement tendencies.

Location

This position is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.