The Head of Application Modernization will spearhead IT Co's strategic engagements with large enterprise clients, guiding them through the complex transformation of their legacy application landscapes. This role is pivotal in orchestrating the complete modernization journey, from strategic assessment and roadmap definition to seamless migrations and re-architectures onto hyperscale cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform). The Head of Application Modernization is responsible for delivering significant digital transformation outcomes, maximizing cloud benefits for clients, and fostering deep collaboration with hyperscaler "blackbelt" teams to deliver cutting-edge, resilient, and high-performing cloud-native solutions.

MAIN FUNCTIONS

The Head of Application Modernization leads the end-to-end application modernization lifecycle for IT Co's clients. This involves driving strategic advisory, solution architecture, and implementation oversight. The role is critical for building and mentoring a highly specialized team, fostering strategic partnerships with hyperscaler technical teams, and ensuring that IT Co's service offerings in application modernization remain at the forefront of technological innovation and market competitiveness.

RESPONSIBILITES

ACTIVITIES / TASKS

Client Engagement & Strategic Advisory

• Lead and own strategic pre-sales and delivery engagements with large enterprise clients, acting as the trusted advisor for their application modernization journey.
• Conduct in-depth assessments of client legacy application portfolios, identify modernization opportunities, and develop compelling business cases, value propositions, and phased transformation roadmaps.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear business benefits for executive-level client stakeholders.

Solution Architecture & Design Leadership

• Oversee and guide the design of robust, scalable, secure, and cost-effective application modernization solutions, encompassing various patterns (e.g., re-platforming, re-architecting, refactoring, containerization, serverless).
• Ensure solutions leverage the full capabilities of target hyperscale cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) while adhering to industry best practices for cloud-native development and operational excellence.
• Drive the definition of technical standards, reference architectures, and migration methodologies for application modernization.

Hyperscaler Collaboration & Partnership

• Cultivate and deepen strategic, collaborative relationships with "blackbelt" teams, Digital Advisors, and Principal/Senior Architects from Microsoft Azure, AWS, and GCP.
• Co-develop joint go-to-market strategies, leverage hyperscaler programs (e.g., migration acceleration programs, co-sell initiatives), and align technical roadmaps to maximize client success and generate new business.
• Act as the primary technical liaison between IT Co and hyperscaler architecture/engineering teams for complex client engagements.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of application modernization architects, cloud migration specialists, and transformation leads.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, innovation, and client-centricity within the team.
• Oversee skill development, certifications, and knowledge sharing to ensure IT Co possesses leading-edge expertise in application modernization.

Market & Innovation Leadership

• Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in application modernization and cloud computing.
• Drive the continuous evolution and enhancement of IT Co's service offerings, methodologies, and intellectual property in application modernization to maintain market competitiveness and differentiation.
• Represent IT Co as a thought leader at industry events, conferences, and through publications

Any additional or related activities requested by the Management and/or his/her supervisor within his/her competence and expertise.

LEVEL OF EDUCATION:

• Essential: Bacehlors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• Desirable: Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field.
• Essential: Multiple professional-level cloud certifications from at least two major hyperscale providers (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect)
• Desirable: TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) or other enterprise architecture certifications, DevOps certifications (e.g., Certified Kubernetes Administrator - CKA, Certified DevOps Engineer)

LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in IT consulting, solution architecture, software development leadership, or technical leadership roles
• At least 8-10 years of direct, hands-on experience leading and delivering large-scale application modernization and cloud migration programs for enterprise clients.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in a client-facing leadership role, engaging with C-level executives and senior stakeholders on strategic technical initiatives.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring large technical teams (10+ individuals, potentially across multiple projects)
• Demonstrable experience managing multi-million dollar projects or programs, with accountability for budget, scope, and delivery

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS REQUIRED :

• Exceptional Client Engagement & Executive Presence: Ability to build strong relationships with C-level client executives, articulate complex technical strategies in business terms, and influence strategic decisions.
• Strategic Thinking & Thought Leadership: Visionary mindset with the ability to identify emerging trends, foresee future challenges, and develop innovative solutions for application modernization.
• Advanced Communication (Written & Verbal): Superior ability to present, negotiate, and articulate complex technical and business concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Cross-functional Collaboration & Influencing: Proven ability to work seamlessly with internal teams (sales, delivery, product) and external partners (hyperscalers, vendors) to achieve common goals without direct authority.
• Complex Problem-Solving: Adept at diagnosing intricate technical and organizational challenges related to legacy systems and designing effective, pragmatic modernization pathways.
• Team Leadership & Development: Inspires, motivates, and empowers a team of technical specialists to achieve excellence and grow professionally.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Deep Expertise in Application Modernization Patterns: Expert-level knowledge of various modernization strategies: re-host, re-platform, re-factor, re-architect, rebuild, replace, and the appropriate use cases for each.
• Cloud-Native Architectures: Expert knowledge of microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), serverless computing, API management, and event-driven architectures on hyperscale platforms.
• Hyperscale Cloud Platform Expertise: Expert-level practical experience and architectural proficiency with at least two of the major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform).
• DevOps/DevSecOps & CI/CD: Strong understanding and experience with implementing modern software delivery practices, automated pipelines, and infrastructure as code.
• Legacy Systems Knowledge: Experience with common legacy technologies (e.g., monolithic applications, traditional databases, on-premise infrastructure) and strategies for their transformation.
• Cloud Economics: Strong understanding of cloud cost optimization, TCO/ROI analysis for modernization, and FinOps principles.

Language skills :

• Essential: Fluent in English (written and verbal).
• Desirable: French is a significant plus.

Others :

• Deep knowledge of the Middle East and Africa enterprise IT landscape, including specific market dynamics, regulatory environments, and client challenges.
• Proven experience working directly and collaboratively with hyperscaler engineering, architecture, or partner teams (e.g., as a partner technical lead, solution architect at a hyperscaler).

Very High Availability and Geographical Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel extensively across different client sites and international locations as required by business needs.