Senior Technology Manager

Role Summary We are hiring a Senior Technology Manager to lead all technology delivery of a major international multi-sport event in Riyadh. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, deploying and operating the technology infrastructure required to support a large-scale event environment. The project includes multiple operational, residential, administrative, guest, security and support areas and will operate 24 hours a day during the event period. The Technology Environment Will Include • High-capacity wired and wireless networks • Internet connectivity and resilient network infrastructure • End-user IT equipment • Mobile phones and radio communications • IP CCTV and monitoring systems • Operational technology systems • Service desk and 24/7 technical support • Cybersecurity, monitoring and business continuity infrastructure The delivery team will plan, build, test and operate the technology environment from initial design through to final decommissioning. THE ROLE The Senior Technology Manager will be the technical design authority and delivery lead for the project's technology services. You will take responsibility from initial requirements and design through procurement, deployment, testing, event-time operations and final decommissioning. You will also act as the primary technology interface with the client's technology and operational teams. If you are an experienced technology leader who thrives in high-pressure, complex environments and has delivered technology for major multi-sport or large-scale sporting events, we would like to hear from you. Key Responsibilities PLANNING & DESIGN • Act as the main point of contact for the client's technology team. • Build and own the technology project schedule, risks, dependencies and progress reporting. • Lead requirements workshops and translate operational requirements into network, Wi-Fi, cabling, rack and power requirements. • Own network and service architecture, bandwidth planning, high-level and low-level designs, and as-built documentation. • Lead Wi-Fi surveys and design high-density coverage across residential, office, operational and outdoor areas. • Develop cybersecurity, business continuity and disaster recovery plans. • Specify, tender and manage technology suppliers across internet, IT, mobile, radio, CCTV and software services. • Develop the event-time technology operations plan, including staffing, service desk coverage and escalation procedures. BUILD & TESTING • Commission core technology infrastructure and resilient internet connectivity. • Direct deployment of switches, firewalls, wireless access points, VLANs, cabling and UPS systems. • Roll out and configure end-user equipment, mobile phones and radios. • Lead integration, load, failover and disaster recovery testing. • Coordinate penetration testing and security audits. • Participate in client technical readiness exercises and manage the technology freeze ahead of the event. • Deliver operational technology systems and CCTV infrastructure in collaboration with Security and Operations. EVENT-TIME OPERATIONS • Run the central Service Desk as the single point of contact for technology issues. • Lead incident, problem and change management and act as the senior escalation point. • Monitor technology availability, performance, power and security events around the clock. • Support the client's IT command centre during event operations. • Maintain appropriate spares and technical resources to ensure rapid service restoration. • Provide daily technology performance reporting. CLOSE-OUT • Decommission and remove technology equipment according to schedule. • Ensure certified data wiping and factory resets. • Deliver a post-event technology report covering services, utilisation, incidents and lessons learned. • Complete the full technology documentation handover. TEAM & INTERFACES The role will lead an in-house technology team alongside specialist technology suppliers and will work closely with: • Client technology teams • Cybersecurity partners • IT command centre • Technology suppliers • Technical Services • Security • Operations • Housekeeping • Production • Other project departments Required Skills • Strong hands-on expertise in enterprise LAN/WLAN design, high-density Wi-Fi, VLANs, firewalls, resilient internet and DDoS mitigation. • Experience operating a service desk and technology operations centre using an ITIL-based service model. • Working knowledge of ISO 27001/27002 controls, penetration testing, security monitoring and data-residency requirements. • Fluent English. DESIRABLE • Certifications such as Cisco CCNP, Aruba ACMP, Juniper equivalent, CWNA/CWDP, ITIL 4 Foundation, PMP, PRINCE2 or ISO 27001 Lead Implementer. • Working Arabic. • Experience with IP CCTV, radio fleets, mobile SIM programmes and IPTV. • Familiarity with technology operations for large-scale international sporting events. PERSONAL QUALITIES • Calm under pressure, with the ability to make fast and clear decisions when issues arise. • Strong communicator who can work effectively with technical teams, operational colleagues and senior client stakeholders. • Hands-on and highly visible on site. • Comfortable leading teams through long shifts and high-pressure event environments. • Strong ownership mindset with a focus on delivery, reliability and operational readiness. Required Qualifications • Degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience. Experience Requirement • 10+ years of experience in network and IT infrastructure, including at least 5 years leading technology delivery for temporary events. • Experience in a senior technology/IT infrastructure role on at least two major multi-sport or large-scale sporting events. • Experience working across complex temporary event environments is strongly preferred. • Proven experience taking technology designs through client approval and managing acceptance, load and failover testing. • Experience managing multiple technology suppliers under rental or managed-service contracts against fixed readiness deadlines. • Previous major event delivery experience in Saudi Arabia or the GCC (desirable). Location / Work Mode Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Contract Duration: Oct 2026 - Jan 2027 Additional Notes SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE Success means delivering every technology milestone on time and ensuring reliable technology services throughout the event. Key Measures Include • 100% of technology milestones delivered on schedule. • Designs and test results accepted by the client without major rework. • 99.9%+ internet and core network availability during event operations. • Critical incidents responded to within 15 minutes and restored within 2 hours. • Successful load testing at peak occupancy. • All critical and