Director of IM&T – Future Fighter
Salary: Competitive
Grade: GG15
Location: Riyadh
JOB PURPOSE
BAE Systems is the UK Government’s nominated Prime Contractor under the Government-to-Government arrangements that are in place to provide equipment, support and training to Saudi Arabia. We provide maintenance of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) aircraft and train RSAF and Royal Saudi Naval Force personnel safely in a training environment in how to use their aircraft, equipment and weapons.
BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the Saudi Arabian National Agenda including Saudisation and the training and development of Saudi National capability through the growth of the Saudi National Partner Companies thereby reinforcing Industrialisation and Partnerships.
JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES
Background

BAE Systems Saudi Arabia is currently bidding Typhoon acquisition with a Contract Award expected in 2024. As part of the offer we will be establishing capability in KSA industry to deliver component manufacture, assembly of minor and major units, and final assembly of the aircraft. This will require the appropriate IT infrastructure and systems to be installed and supported within the KSA companies. During the latter half of 2025, BAE Systems also expects to receive a requirement for the stand-up of new Typhoon Main Operating Bases in Kingdom.

The Director of IM&T – Future Fighter will be responsible for representing the Future Fighter Campaign in KSA and being the point of contract for all IT aspects.

Key accountabilities will include:

• Developing the Future Fighter IM&T strategy – ensuring that all information management and technical systems required to enable the future strategic vision for Typhoon and Future Fighter are in place.

• Working with the UK In-Kingdom Industrial Partnerships and Digital Intelligence teams to scope the IT requirements for KSA industry to support capability insertion activities.

• Promoting and supporting the development of IT solutions for KSA suppliers, including current IT landscape assessments (gap analysis).

• Horizon scanning for latest technologies and roadmaps to ensure the most robust, secure and supportable solution.

• Technical / Project Management engagement with KSA suppliers, including owning Statements of Requirements and managing the responses.

• Leading technical engagement with the customer organisations (SPO, DCIT, GAMI etc.) as required to support negotiation of the solutions.

• Driving the implementation of bid/project governance through application of Lifecycle Management (Phase Reviews, Design Reviews, Technical Bid Review and Bid Status Review) aligned to the campaign schedule.

• Ensuring timely Bid Status Reviews and using governance and assurance processes to test alignment and integration of all parts of the IT solution.

• Driving all IM&T bidding activities to achieve a successful solution proposition.

• Delivering an integrated solution encompassing all infrastructure, facility and security aspects.

The role will rely heavily on resource both in the UK and in our Kingdom Partner Company (KPC) International Systems Engineering (ISE) to develop the In-Kingdom solutions.

It is expected that the incumbent will need to:

• Manage the relationship with Commander, Directorate of Communications and Information Technology (DCIT), Wing Commander, Communications & Information Technology Wing (CITW), Programme Office Officers and Advisors and Senior BAE Systems Programme Leads within the Salam Programme.

• Act as a single IM&T point of contact for G2G customers and influencers in both the UK and KSA.

• Manage a team including technical, project management, business analyst, project control and estimating resources.

• Provide robust estimating assurance for the proposed bid submission.

• Work with our preferred In-Kingdom IT suppliers to ensure our customers’ requirements are met with value for money solutions.

• Be accountable for the management and assurance of preferred IT Supplier(s) in delivery against Customer requirements and in alignment with contracted standards and policies.

• Provide ownership of the development and delivery of the IM&T costed plans whilst ensuring the plan is aligned with the overarching programme plans and Integrated Business Plan (IBP).

• Initiate procedures to maintain open communications with and between stakeholders.

• Oversee key activities and processes including lessons learned and feedback to and from business change teams and our preferred IT suppliers.

• Establish metrics and measures based on the overall business objectives and reporting performance status.

• Create business value through the introduction and exploitation of new capabilities that exploit technology, processes and development/sustainment of skills.

• Drive cross functional working to define how IT can enable engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and maintenance advancements and associated industrialisation.

• Manage the throughput of customer requirements through to Kingdom Partner Companies and other suppliers and assure delivery against customer requirements.

• Lead the promotion, development, acquisition and implementation of information systems and digital technology for BAE Systems in KSA.

• Establish, maintain and communicate the organisation’s strategy for managing information, and the policies, standards, procedures and methods so that personnel understand and have the knowledge necessary to implement the strategy.

• Maintain detailed awareness of and promote the organisation, through any relevant statutory, internal, or external regulations, standards, and codes of good practice, e.g. those relating to security, quality, data protection, audit etc.

• Encourage the enterprise to acquire or develop information systems that benefit the needs of the whole organisation.

• Liaise with BAE Systems and In-Kingdom Partner Company Senior Management to ensure that Future Fighter needs in KSA are included in specifications and developments prepared for the Future Fighter bid and delivery.

• Maintain visibility of the broader Business technology strategy, technical developments and trends and have an understanding of customer digital priorities and concerns.

• Own the governance and assurance of IT solutions. Be proactive in ensuring that IM&T can advise and deliver appropriate IT solutions within time, cost and scope of programme needs to ensure that our IT is compliant with business and customer IT standards.

RECRUITMENT SPECIFICATION

• MSc, MBA, or other business or scientific qualification.

• Has experience of planning, developing and deploying complex IT (Systems of Systems) into international military environments.

• Has experience of leading (designing, implementing, assure) complex IT Systems at high levels of classification.

• Has achieved proficiency with a range of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) Competency Framework.

• Has extensive IT knowledge including business architecture / business analysis and project management skills with sufficient knowledge to engage with technical aspects such as architecture.

• Understands IT lifecycle.

• Possesses up to date knowledge of own organisation’s objectives, policies, organisational relationships, business processes, reporting procedures, and existing and planned information systems.

• Can make sound and far reaching decisions on major issues and take responsibility for them, whether in a technical, managerial, advisory or specialist task.

EXPATRIATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary, rent free accommodation and access to free recreation facilities, all available within Company secured accommodation. In addition, a generous leave and travel allowance makes this an opportunity not to be missed. On successfully securing a role your appointment to Saudi Arabia will initially be on single status. On commencement of employment in Saudi Arabia you will have the opportunity to apply to have your family join you in the future. A full health care scheme is provided within Saudi Arabia.
SAUDI NATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
In return for the required high levels of commitment and hard work you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including a generous leave and travel allowance, a full health care scheme and access to subsidised recreational facilities
BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of 89,600 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.
All appointments in Saudi Arabia are subject to receipt of all necessary Government and/or Customer approvals.