Director - City OPS IT/OT Network and Security Operations

Location: Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

Department: Qiddiya Technology

Workplace: on_site

Description

The Director of IT/OT Network & Security Operations is a critical leadership role within City Operations IT, responsible for the end-to-end management, reliability, and security of Qiddiya’s converged IT and Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure.

As Qiddiya transitions from construction to operations, this role will lead operational readiness, infrastructure acceptance, and the ongoing management of city-wide digital platforms, including fiber networks, active network equipment, smart city systems, and physical security networks (VMS, ACS, CCTV).

The role serves as a key bridge between enterprise IT and industrial OT environments, ensuring seamless integration, high availability, and a robust cybersecurity posture across all city operations. It requires deep technical expertise in network architecture and security, alongside strong vendor management and cross-functional leadership to collaborate effectively with QTECH, MDU, District Master Developers, and third-party operators.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the IT/OT Network and Security Operations function for Qiddiya City IT Operations.
• Define and execute the operational strategy for converged IT/OT environments, aligned with the City Operations Target Operating Model (TOM) and Qiddiya’s digital vision.
• Establish and manage interfaces with the Network Operations Center (NOC) and Security Operations Center (SOC) for city-level infrastructure.
• Define, monitor, and enforce SLAs, KPIs, and performance metrics across internal teams and external service providers.

2. Infrastructure & Network Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations, maintenance, and optimization of city-wide network infrastructure, including fiber backbone, MMRs, MDCs, and active network components.
• Manage the operational lifecycle of OT networks supporting smart city use cases across utilities, transportation, and facility management.
• Ensure high availability, resilience, and redundancy of critical network topologies supporting city operations.
• Lead incident management, root cause analysis, and resolution of complex IT/OT network issues.

3. Security Operations & Governance

• Oversee operational security systems and their supporting network infrastructure.
• Implement and monitor cybersecurity controls across OT environments, including network segregation, access control, and threat detection, aligned with QTECH cybersecurity standards.
• Coordinate vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits for city infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with national cybersecurity regulations (e.g., NCA) and internal Qiddiya policies.

4. Transition, Handover & Acceptance

• Act as the primary City Operations IT authority for the acceptance and handover of network and security infrastructure from QTECH, MDU, and District Master Developers.
• Define operational readiness criteria, testing protocols, and documentation standards for onboarding new assets.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure operational, maintainability, and security requirements are embedded early in the lifecycle.

5. Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships and operational contracts with neutral hosts, data center operators, and managed service providers.
• Collaborate closely with QTECH Design teams to ensure alignment on architecture, shared services, and governance frameworks.
• Engage with Business Units (e.g., Transport, Utilities, Security) to ensure IT/OT infrastructure meets operational and use-case requirements.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• 12–15 years of progressive experience in network engineering, IT/OT operations, and cybersecurity, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale, mission-critical infrastructure within complex environments such as smart cities, giga-projects, utilities, or industrial sectors.
• Extensive experience bridging IT and OT environments, with a strong understanding of industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, and IoT network architectures.
• Demonstrated experience in transitioning infrastructure from construction and delivery phases into stable, live operations.

Technical Skills & Certifications

• Deep expertise in network routing, switching, and topology design (e.g., Cisco, Juniper, or equivalent technologies).
• Strong knowledge of OT cybersecurity standards and frameworks (e.g., IEC 62443, NIST).
• Experience with physical security network infrastructure, including CCTV, VMS, and ACS systems.
• Relevant industry certifications are highly desirable, such as:
• Networking: CCIE, JNCIE, or equivalent.
• Security: CISSP, CISM, GICSP, or equivalent.
• Service Management: ITIL v4.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and executive leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced, and evolving environments.
• Strong vendor management and contract negotiation expertise.