Director of Information Technology
Permanent - Full TimeJob Overview
Leads the strategy, installation, deployment, security, and ongoing management of all technology infrastructure for the luxury property during its pre-opening phase and into full operations. The role acts as the primary technical authority ensuring all hotel infrastructure meets Kempinski brand standards, local data regulations, and municipal compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Opening Technology Deployment & Handover
- Oversee the complete lifecycle of IT setup, including hardware installation, software configuration, system integration, and rigorous testing prior to launch.
- Deploy core hospitality systems: Opera PMS, Simphony POS, Revenue Management Systems (RMS), Electronic Keycard Access, Guest Wi-Fi (HSIA), PABX/Telephony, and IPTV systems.
- Work closely with MEP contractors, network consultants, and site developers during cable laying, server room setup, network rack installation, and commissioning.
Infrastructure, Uptime & Operations
- Design and implement local high-availability network architectures (Cisco networking, Microsoft Server environments, VLANs, and firewall configurations).
- Establish preventive maintenance and 24/7 technical support operations to ensure continuous system uptime across guest and Back-of-House (BOH) zones.
Data Security, Compliance & Disaster Recovery
- Implement end-to-end cybersecurity protocols, role-based access controls, data backup frameworks, and business continuity/disaster recovery plans.
- Ensure strict adherence to Kempinski corporate IT standards, PCI-DSS payment security compliance, and Bahrain local data protection regulations.
Vendor, Procurement & Budget Management
- Administer vendor SLAs, software licensing, system warranties, and maintenance contracts.
- Manage departmental Operating Expenses (OpEx) and pre-opening Capital Expenditure (CapEx) budgets for all hardware and tech acquisitions.
User Support, Training & Team Leadership
- Recruit, onboard, and train the IT support team.
- Establish helpdesk workflows and deliver hotel-wide staff training on PMS/POS usage, core operational software, and cybersecurity awareness.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
What Makes You a Great Fit; Who We’re Looking For
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum 3–5+ years in an IT leadership role within a luxury hotel environment. Proven pre-opening hotel installation experience is strongly preferred.
Technical Mastery:- Core Hospitality Systems: Opera PMS, Oracle Simphony POS, Guest Wi-Fi management, IPTV, PABX.
- Network Infrastructure: Cisco switches/routers, enterprise firewalls, VLAN structuring, server virtualization (Hyper-V / VMware), Active Directory.
- Regional/Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Middle East / GCC telecom standards and Bahrain data privacy laws.
- Languages: Business fluency in English is mandatory; conversational Arabic is an advantage.