Director of Operations

About This Role

Operations Director – AI Infrastructure

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Data Center & AI Infrastructure

We are partnering with a fast-growing AI infrastructure company to appoint a highly capable Operations Director to oversee project execution, compliance, and high-level administrative operations across the UAE.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Execution & Vendor Coordination: Lead the seamless coordination and management of external third parties, including data center design consultants, construction contractors, IT vendors, and local utility departments to ensure projects are delivered on time and to the highest standards.
• Document Control & KYC Readiness: Establish and maintain a rigorous document control system for both infrastructure projects and corporate operations. Systematically archive all third-party engineering contracts, government approvals, lease agreements, and financial invoices to ensure the company remains fully audit-ready for stringent KYC and due diligence processes conducted by global banks and sovereign wealth funds.
• Entity Compliance & Government Relations: Serve as the primary guardian of local entity compliance, managing day-to-day interactions with UAE Free Zones, municipal licensing departments, and regulatory bodies. Ensure all corporate licenses, land permits, and operational certifications remain current and fully compliant. Oversee local PRO services to efficiently handle visa, labor, and administrative requirements for the growing team and expatriate executives.
• Administrative & Logistics Leadership: Deliver high-end logistical support for visiting multinational board members, key investors, and government officials, including ground transportation, accommodation, and meeting arrangements that consistently meet executive standards.

Requirements:

• 7 to 10 years of hands-on experience working in the UAE as an Operations Director, Senior Project Manager, or PMO Lead within large enterprises, multinational tech firms, or heavy infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience with data center (IDC) build-outs or complex local supply chain management is highly preferred.
• Strong execution mindset with the ability to take established plans and deliver results within complex local vendor networks and bureaucratic environments.
• Deep understanding of documentation standards, contract management, and KYC/compliance requirements in high-finance and heavy infrastructure projects — “if it is not documented, it did not happen.”
• Commanding professional presence with excellent problem-solving skills; able to hold external contractors accountable while navigating the unique operational challenges of the Middle East.
• Language: Native-level fluency in English (both spoken and written) for business communication and negotiation. Fluency in Arabic is considered a significant advantage.

What’s on Offer:

This is a critical leadership role within a high-profile AI infrastructure initiative in the UAE. You will play a pivotal part in ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and smooth execution as the company scales its sovereign AI computing capabilities in the region. The role reports directly to senior leadership.

If you are an experienced operations professional with strong UAE market knowledge, exceptional attention to detail, and a proven ability to manage complex infrastructure projects and compliance matters, we would like to hear from you.