Smart Solutions Development Director | HBMSU Dubai

Job Description

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) invites applications for the position of Smart Solutions Development Director in Dubai, UAE.

This senior technology leadership role is responsible for directing software development, application support, maintenance, database administration, project management, information security compliance, and technology strategy across the University.

Priority is given to UAE Nationals, according to the employer’s vacancy title.

Employer: Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Work Arrangement: On-site
Position: Smart Solutions Development Director
Nationality Preference: Priority for UAE Nationals

Smart Solutions Development Director – Position Overview

The Smart Solutions Development Director will lead a team of software-development professionals responsible for delivering and supporting business and e-learning applications across HBMSU.

The position combines:

• Software development leadership.
• Technology strategy.
• Application architecture.
• Cloud-native solutions.
• Information security.
• Database technologies.
• Project management.
• Budget management.
• Team leadership.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Continuous improvement.

The Director will work with University stakeholders to identify technology needs and implement software solutions supporting business, academic, research, and training activities.

Software Development Leadership

The successful candidate will lead and supervise software-development staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Allocating work across the team.
• Supervising technical staff.
• Supporting staff development.
• Coordinating training.
• Evaluating performance.
• Resolving operational and technical issues.
• Providing guidance to software-development teams.

Strong people-management and technical-leadership skills are therefore essential.

Technology Strategy and Planning

The Director will anticipate future software requirements and develop strategic plans that support the University’s evolving needs.

Responsibilities include:

• Assessing current software capabilities.
• Identifying future technology requirements.
• Developing implementation strategies.
• Evaluating emerging technologies.
• Aligning software initiatives with institutional priorities.
• Supporting continuous technology improvement.

The role requires the ability to translate institutional objectives into practical technology roadmaps.

Business and Academic Software Solutions

The Director will consult with stakeholders across the University to identify and implement suitable software solutions.

These solutions may support:

• Business operations.
• Academic activities.
• Research.
• Training.
• E-learning.
• Digital services.

The successful candidate should therefore be able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Software Architecture and Best Practices

The Smart Solutions Development Director will promote modern software-development practices and architecture standards.

Responsibilities include:

• Applying recognised software-development practices.
• Promoting high-quality architecture.
• Supporting scalable applications.
• Evaluating software-delivery approaches.
• Encouraging technology standardisation.
• Supporting adoption of world-class development practices.

The position also requires strong awareness of current IT and software-development trends.

Cloud-Native Solutions

HBMSU specifically identifies cloud-native services as an area of technological development.

Candidates should have strong expertise across multiple technology domains, potentially including:

• Native cloud solutions.
• Cloud architecture.
• Application security.
• Open-source technologies.
• Database technologies.
• Business-process modelling and automation.
• Mobile application development.
• Software-delivery solutions.

Applicants must demonstrate expertise in at least four of the areas identified by the employer.

Application Availability, Security and Usability

The Director will be responsible for helping ensure that University applications maintain high levels of:

• Availability.
• Reliability.
• Security.
• Usability.
• Performance.
• User satisfaction.

Technology choices and operational processes should support dependable access for learners, faculty members, and staff.

Information Security

Information security forms a significant part of the role.

Responsibilities include:

• Implementing Information Security Management System requirements.
• Monitoring compliance with ISMS guidelines.
• Supporting adherence to security standards.
• Assessing information-security risks.
• Working with relevant committees and University divisions.
• Supporting mitigation of identified risks.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate sound understanding of application security and institutional information-security governance.

Project Management

The successful candidate will oversee technology projects and ensure effective delivery.

Strong project-management capability is essential.

The employer specifically requires:

• PMP certification.

Project-management responsibilities may include:

• Planning.
• Resource allocation.
• Risk management.
• Stakeholder coordination.
• Delivery oversight.
• Progress monitoring.

Budget and Resource Management

The Director will manage departmental resources and budgets.

Responsibilities include:

• Budget planning.
• Resource allocation.
• Expenditure monitoring.
• Fiscal management.
• Supporting efficient use of technology resources.

Candidates should therefore demonstrate previous experience with planning, budgeting, and financial management.

User and Stakeholder Engagement

The role requires regular engagement with learners, faculty, staff, technical teams, and other University stakeholders.

The successful candidate should be able to:

• Understand stakeholder requirements.
• Translate business needs into software solutions.
• Communicate technical recommendations clearly.
• Provide operational guidance.
• Resolve service issues.
• Maintain a strong customer-service orientation.

A major objective of the role is to maintain high levels of user satisfaction with University applications and technology services.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

The Director will champion continuous improvement across software-development activities.

This includes:

• Reviewing development processes.
• Introducing improved practices.
• Evaluating new technologies.
• Supporting innovation.
• Improving software quality.
• Increasing delivery efficiency.
• Adopting appropriate cloud-native technologies.

The position therefore requires both operational leadership and a forward-looking technology perspective.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field from an accredited university.

A Master’s degree is considered an advantage.

Professional Experience

Candidates must have at least:

• Seven years of relevant software-development experience.
• Five years of management experience.

The role therefore requires substantial technical experience combined with demonstrated leadership responsibility.

Required and Preferred Certifications

The employer specifies the following certifications:

• AWS Certified Associate or Professional-level certification.
• PMP certification – required.

In addition:

• TOGAF certification is an advantage.

Applicants should make these certifications clearly visible in their application materials.

Required Technical Expertise

Candidates must demonstrate expertise in at least four of the following areas:

• Native cloud solutions.
• Application security.
• Open-source technologies.
• Database technologies.
• Business-process modelling and automation.
• Mobile software development.
• Software-delivery solutions.

Candidates should also demonstrate strong knowledge of:

• Software-development architecture.
• E-business solutions.
• E-learning solutions.
• Current IT trends.

Leadership and Management Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong:

• Leadership.
• Organisational ability.
• Project management.
• Analytical thinking.
• Critical thinking.
• Problem solving.
• Stakeholder management.
• Team coordination.
• Budget management.
• Customer-service orientation.

Language Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate effective communication skills in:

• English.

In addition:

• Arabic proficiency is an advantage.

Health, Safety and Institutional Compliance

The Director will also be expected to ensure compliance with:

• Health and safety laws.
• Relevant regulations.
• University policies.
• Institutional procedures.

About Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University

Established in 2002, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University is headquartered in Dubai and focuses on online and blended higher education.

HBMSU emphasises:

• Digital transformation.
• Smart learning.
• Technology-enabled education.
• Flexible learning.
• Innovation.
• Learner-centred services.

The Smart Solutions Development Director plays a central role in supporting this digital infrastructure by overseeing the applications and software platforms that enable academic and institutional operations.

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