Portfolio Lead and Business Manager

DeepLight AI is a specialist AI and data consultancy dedicated to transforming the regional corporate landscape through bespoke, high-impact intelligent systems. Based in the UAE, we partner with organizations across diverse sectors—with a deep-rooted expertise in Financial Services and Banking—to bridge the gap between complex data and actionable business strategy.

At DeepLight, we don't believe in "off-the-shelf" fixes. We deliver tailored AI solutions designed to integrate seamlessly into existing enterprise architectures, ensuring that innovation is both scalable and secure. From building robust data foundations to deploying sophisticated AI platforms, we empower our clients to lead in an increasingly automated world.

The Portfolio Lead and Business Manager is a high-impact leadership position responsible for the end-to-end operational, financial, and delivery excellence of the Data Platform. As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role carries a high degree of organizational authority and accountability, requiring an individual who can command respect across technical and financial functions while demonstrating rigorous management over the platform’s most critical strategic assets. You will serve as the primary link between technical engineering teams and corporate functions, ensuring that resources are optimized, budgets are controlled, and strategic programs are delivered with rigorous governance.

Your responsibilities within this role will include;

Financial & Resource Management

• Budgetary Control: Lead financial forecasting, capacity planning, and resource allocation to ensure full visibility of platform-level spend.

• Vendor & Resourcing: Manage Statements of Work (SoW), onboarding documentation, and the coordination of new joiners.

• Finance Partnership: Collaborate with Finance teams to resolve invoice discrepancies, manage cost allocations to Engagement Partners (EPs), and secure future tranche releases.

• Business Case Development: Draft and shepherd business cases through approval, ensuring the creation of initiatives and EPs as required.

• Strategic Reporting: Consolidate and report all AI-related financials and demand (e.g., H1/H2 incremental demand).

Delivery Governance & Leadership

• Framework Definition: Establish standardized delivery frameworks, including JIRA structures, reporting formats, and governance cadences.

• Agile Facilitation: Run core Agile ceremonies, including platform stand-ups and cross-team delivery syncs.

• Executive Reporting: Produce high-quality reporting packs for RBG and Treasury; manage all SteerCo deliverables, including decks, minutes, and action tracking.

• Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR): Own the end-to-end QBR process, including Memos, roadmaps, reflections, and Marketplace/Tech BRP involvement.

• Strategic Project Lead: Directly lead key initiatives, such as the BRF project, while supporting senior leadership on platform priorities.

Operational Excellence

• Resource Lifecycle Management: Oversee the full lifecycle for platform resources, including performance management, escalations, access, and attendance.

• Compliance & Audit: Maintain the platform audit log, ensure timesheet governance, and oversee billing accuracy.

• Rapid Impact Assessment: Conduct ad-hoc technical and financial analyses.

As an AI consultancy, our greatest asset is the expertise of our people.

While technical mastery is the foundation of what we do, the ability to bridge the gap between complex data science and actionable business value is what defines your success with Deeplight.

We're looking for individuals who are not only world-class in their fields of specialism, but also compelling communicators and persuasive advocates for their own skills.

You will be the face of our firm, tasked with building trust, articulating the "why" behind your technical decisions, and effectively "selling" your vision to high-level stakeholders.

If you thrive on the challenge of presenting cutting-edge solutions as much as you do on building them, you will fit right in.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

• Significant experience managing complex operations within a Data, AI, or Cloud Platform environment.

• Strong experience in financial forecasting, budget management, and managing complex cost allocations within a large corporate structure.

• A demonstrated ability to define and enforce delivery frameworks (JIRA, Agile, SteerCo governance).

• Experience partnering with Finance, Treasury, and C-suite executives to align technical delivery with business value.

• A functional understanding of cloud infrastructure (specifically AWS) and associated cost/restoration management.

It would be great if you also have;

• Experience specifically within Data & AI delivery cycles and understanding the nuances of AI incremental demand.

• Experience navigating regulatory and professional landscapes within the UAE market.

• Proficiency in JIRA adm