Head of Product & Delivery

Head of Product & Delivery - Abu Dhabi

Location: Abu Dhabi

Type: 12 Month Contract - (transfer to perm)

We’re supporting a high-impact Data & AI function in the search for a Head of Product & Delivery to lead execution across a complex portfolio of workstreams.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in fast-moving environments and knows how to bring structure, pace and accountability across product, delivery and stakeholder management. You will be the person keeping multiple workstreams moving, making smart calls under pressure, and ensuring teams and vendors deliver against clear milestones.

This role is all about execution. You will own delivery across internal product builds, external partner engagements and cross-functional programmes, ensuring priorities stay aligned and outcomes land on time.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading end-to-end delivery across multiple active workstreams
• Driving sprint planning, backlog management, reviews, demos and delivery cadence
• Managing scope, priorities and dependencies across a fast-paced environment
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to provide visibility, manage expectations and keep momentum high
• Holding external vendors and delivery partners accountable to milestones, timelines and quality
• Identifying risks early and taking action before they impact delivery
• Supporting UAT planning and execution with senior and non-technical users
• Overseeing work package definition, task ownership and quality across the team
• Acting as a trusted point of leadership when senior technical stakeholders are focused elsewhere

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading delivery across software, digital, data or platform-led initiatives
• Strong Agile and sprint delivery experience in high-performing product and engineering environments
• Experience managing several concurrent workstreams at once
• Confident stakeholder manager, able to operate effectively with senior leadership
• Strong technical fluency and able to engage credibly with engineers, product teams and vendors
• Experience managing third-party vendors and external delivery partners
• Strong understanding of backlog discipline, acceptance criteria, UAT and delivery governance
• Able to make clear decisions, challenge constructively, and keep teams focused on outcomes
• Experience in government, sovereign or highly institutional environments is a strong advantage
• Previous experience as a senior delivery lead, programme lead, chief of staff, or in a similar leadership capacity supporting a CTO, CDAO or equivalent is highly desirable

Why this role?

This is a brilliant opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role where you will have real ownership, real accountability and real influence. It would suit someone who is commercially minded, delivery-focused and confident operating in environments where pace, structure and credibility matter.