Foreground is partnering with a leading distribution and retail group in Saudi Arabia to identify an exceptional IT Director to lead and transform their technology function. This strategic role offers the opportunity to deliver genuine digital change in a dynamic, growth-oriented business environment.

Position Overview

The IT Director will own the strategic direction, leadership, and operational excellence of the IT function. This includes strengthening governance, modernizing infrastructure, elevating applications, and ensuring that technology becomes a true enabler for commercial priorities. The role requires a proactive, business-focused, hands-on leader capable of driving a high-impact transformation journey while fostering a performance culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and implement a forward-looking IT strategy aligned with the companys current and long-term business objectives.
• Drive a digital transformation agenda, introducing scalable, practical solutions including automation, AI, and modern SaaS platforms.
• Evaluate and optimize the IT infrastructure landscape, ensuring stability, performance, and cybersecurity while improving outdated systems and processes.
• Partner with commercial, retail, and project-focused teams to translate business requirements into tangible, efficient technology outcomes.
• Provide clear, business-oriented communication to build trust and encourage adoption of technology solutions across the organization.
• Lead and develop a cohesive team of infrastructure and application specialists, supported as required by external vendors, while ensuring effective resource allocation, capability growth, and motivation.
• Manage and optimize the IT budget, applying a common-sense approach to balance transformative investment with disciplined cost control.
• Oversee and continuously improve IT security policies, controls, and compliance frameworks to protect data integrity and intellectual property.
• Maintain a robust IT governance framework in line with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
• Mentor and motivate the IT team, driving a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior executives, proactively identifying technology opportunities that deliver commercial value.
• Oversee vendor relationships, holding partners accountable while ensuring solutions remain modern, cost-effective, and scalable.
• Support knowledge transfer and operational stability through structured onboarding and handover processes, ensuring smooth transitions across IT leadership roles.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelors degree in computer science, MIS, Business Administration, or a related field; a Masters degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior position.
• Solid track record managing enterprise applications (with emphasis on SAP) and infrastructure architecture, in a commercial, distribution, or retail-driven environment.
• Demonstrated capability to deliver complex digital transformation initiatives and foster stakeholder buy-in across diverse business units.
• Confident leadership style with an entrepreneurial, solutions-driven mindset; able to challenge the status quo and drive change in a practical way.
• Strong understanding of e-commerce systems, CRM tools, and modern SaaS-based technologies.
• Skilled in vendor and partner management, budget oversight, and team development.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of translating technical matters into commercial opportunities and influencing at the executive level.
• Passionate, hands-on, and able to roll up sleeves when needed to ensure project delivery and operational excellence.
• Resilient, results-oriented, and comfortable navigating a high-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.