Application SME (BCDR & DR Automation) - KSA

Role Overview

1. Application DR Strategy & Planning

• Own the application and database DR strategy, including failover and failback planning.
• Define application-specific DR requirements, including:

o Recovery Time Objectives (RTO)

• o Startup/shutdown sequencing
• o Data integrity and consistency requirements
• Continuously review and optimize application-layer RTOs through automation capabilities.

2. DR Automation Integration

• Collaborate with application owners, system administrators, and DBAs to design automated failover processes across applications and databases (all DB technologies).
• Ensure end-to-end automation of application and database recovery tasks, eliminating manual intervention during both planned and unplanned DR events.
• Act as the primary bridge between application teams and the DR Automation team, ensuring alignment and seamless integration.
• Review and validate automated failover/failback workflows to ensure accuracy, sequencing, and dependency handling.
• Drive development and validation of data collection templates to ensure all required DR inputs are captured and validated during workshops.

3. Dependency Management & Runbook Alignment

• Ensure accurate mapping of application, database, and infrastructure dependencies, including inter-application relationships.
• Validate that startup/shutdown sequences and dependency mapping are correctly reflected in automation workflows and runbooks.
• Regularly review Application and Database sections of DR Plans (DRPs) to ensure alignment with automation design and current environment state.

4. Technical Leadership & Workshops

• Lead and govern technical discussions and workshops across:
• o Discovery
• o Validation
• o Tabletop exercises
• Provide expert guidance to ensure robust application DR design and automation readiness.

5. Testing, Execution & Validation

• Support and validate DR testing activities, including control tests, dry runs, and full DR simulations.
• Ensure application and database recovery meets defined RTO, RPO, and performance expectations.
• Analyze test results and identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.

6. Documentation Ownership & Governance

• Own the end-to-end DR documentation framework, including:
• o Standards and templates
• o Version control and governance
• Develop, maintain, and continuously update:

o Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs)

• o Automation workflows documentation
• o Runbooks and operational guides
• Ensure documentation reflects:
• o Current application architecture
• o Dependency mapping
• o Recovery procedures and sequencing

7. Audit, Compliance & Reporting

• Review and ensure compliance with audit and regulatory requirements for application and database DR (e.g., logging, traceability).
• Support audit readiness by ensuring accurate and up-to-date documentation and controls.

8. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Technical Leads, Infrastructure SME, Network SME, Automation teams, and Business Continuity stakeholders.
• Capture and document design decisions, test outcomes, lessons learned, and remediation actions.
• Ensure alignment across all technical streams for integrated DR execution.

9. Continuous Improvement & Optimization

• Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance automation coverage, reduce recovery time, and improve reliability.
• Optimize application DR processes to increase efficiency and reduce operational risk.

10. DR Test & Event Documentation Support

• Prepare and maintain documentation packs for DR tests and live events.
• Capture test results, deviations, issues, and improvement actions in post-event reports.
• Ensure all learnings are incorporated into updated DR documentation and automation workflows.
• **Requirements*** Strong experience in application and database architecture, operations, and DR planning.
• Deep understanding of application dependencies, multi-tier architectures, and database technologies.
• Hands-on experience in DR automation and orchestration tools.
• Experience with RTO/RPO definition, DR testing, and failover design.
• Strong skills in documentation, stakeholder coordination, and technical leadership.