Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi is looking for a Director of Information Technology to join our IT team.

Are you a master of craft? Do you thrive in a team that succeeds together, demonstrating integrity and respect while acting responsibly? Do you embrace a growth mindset? We invite you to become a fan of the exceptional. 

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences located in prime destinations around the world, with a strong development pipeline. Increasingly recognised for creating some of the world’s most sought-after properties, the Group provides legendary service inspired by Asian heritage whilst representing the very cutting-edge of luxury experiences.

Emirates Palace is the definition of an unrivaled Arabian fantasy. From a 1.3 km pristine private beach, landscaped pools and a private marina overlooking a natural bay, the hotel is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi and perfect for a once-in-a lifetime holiday or for events and meetings that make a statement, with some of the city’s largest hotel conference centres. Emirates Palace offers award-winning 5-star luxury hospitality and authentic local experiences with 394 luxurious rooms and suites along with award-winning culinary cuisines.

About the job

Based at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi within the IT Department, the Director of IT is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the overall technology strategy, digital transformation, IT operations, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems. Director of IT ensures that IT initiatives align with business goals and drive innovation, efficiency, and scalability across the enterprise. This role ensures technology enhances the guest experience, optimizes hotel operations, and supports growth, innovation, and profitability across the organization. Director of IT will oversee systems ranging from property management systems (PMS) to guest-facing mobile apps, booking engines, loyalty platforms, and back-of-house infrastructure.

As Director of Information Technology, you will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a multi-year IT roadmap aligned with brand values, operational goals, and evolving guest expectations.
• Serve as a key advisor to the C-suite on emerging technologies that can improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

Digital Guest Experience

• Champion technology that elevates personalized service, contactless experiences, digital check-in/out, and loyalty engagement.
• Collaborate with brand, marketing, and operations teams to integrate guest-centric tech solutions across platforms.

Hotel Operations & Systems

• Oversee the implementation and performance of PMS, CRS, POS, and other mission-critical hospitality systems.
• Ensure seamless connectivity across front office, housekeeping, F&B, spa, and event operations.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Lead data privacy and cybersecurity efforts to protect guest and company data across global properties.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR, PCI-DSS, and other hospitality-specific data regulations.

IT Infrastructure & Cloud Strategy

• Manage scalable cloud-based infrastructure and networks to support operations in multiple locations.
• Oversee Wi-Fi, IoT integrations, and AV systems for properties and corporate offices.

Vendor & Technology Partner Management

• Lead selection and negotiation with global and local IT vendors and solution providers.
• Build strategic alliances with technology partners to pilot innovative guest and employee experiences.

Team Development

• Lead and develop a global IT team, including regional CIOs/IT Directors and property-level IT leaders.
• Foster a culture of hospitality-centric innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

As Director of Information Technology, we expect from you:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred)
• 15+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within hospitality or a customer service-oriented industry
• Deep knowledge of hotel technology systems (PMS, CRS, POS, ERP, guest mobile apps, etc.)
• Strong background in digital transformation, IT governance, and cybersecurity
• Experienced in managing technology across multiple hotel brands and geographic regions is a plus
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

Our commitment to you

• Learning & Development. Your success is our success. We craft unique learning and development programmes for various stages in your career so that you grow, continuously.
• MOstay. When you work as hard as our colleagues do, it’s important to take time off. As a member of the #MOfamily, you can stay with us wherever you go in the world. The MOstay programme offers complimentary nights and additionally attractive rates on rooms for you and your loved ones.
• Heath & Colleague Wellness. Finding the right work-life balance is important. Your wellbeing matters to us. A variety of health benefits and wellness programmes are offered to all our colleagues, globally.
• Retirement Plans. When you show commitment to us, we reciprocate. We offer different retirement plans depending on the length of your service and your role.