Governance Manager

Company Description

CNS (Computer Network Systems) is a technology company in the middle-east & has over 30 years of successful achievements and long-term partnerships with distinct customers across the region.

We are an IT distributor & our expertise are in Banking & Financial Service Insurance, Technology Enablement, IT Outsourcing, Cyber security, Digital Infrastructure, Hybrid Cloud, Digital Workplace, Customer Experience, Digital Transformation, and Block Chain.

We are a Part of the Ghobash Group of Companies, CNS spread across the region with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, and Kuwait providing a holistic approach that covers all aspects of information communication technology system integration, consultancy, operation, managed services, and IT outsourcing.

CNS also has state-of-the-art network operation centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that develop in-house software and applications providing end-to-end solutions to our customers and partners.

Job Description

The Governance Manager is responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing governance frameworks for IT Managed Services. This role ensures compliance with ITIL, ISO standards, HR policies, and contractual obligations while driving process improvements, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency. The Governance Manager will lead a cross-functional team of HR specialists, ITIL process managers, ISO compliance officers, and contract analysts to ensure seamless service delivery and adherence to regulatory and business requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Governance & Compliance Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain IT governance frameworks aligned with ITIL, ISO 27001, ISO 20000, and other industry standards.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations across IT services.
• Establish governance structures for risk management, security, and data protection.
• Conduct internal audits and ensure readiness for external audits and certifications.

2. ITIL & Service Management Oversight

• Lead ITIL-based service management practices (Incident, Problem, Change, and Configuration Management).
• Monitor and enhance Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Drive continuous service improvements in line with ITIL best practices.
• Ensure smooth coordination between IT operations and governance teams.

3. HR & Workforce Governance

• Collaborate with HR to ensure workforce policies, onboarding, and training align with governance standards.
• Oversee compliance with labor laws, employee engagement, and workforce risk mitigation.
• Implement employee performance and competency frameworks for IT service teams.
• Drive training and awareness programs on governance, security, and compliance.

4. ISO & Security Compliance

• Ensure alignment with ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), ISO 20000 (IT Service Management), and other relevant standards.
• Work with compliance officers to maintain security, risk management, and quality assurance policies.
• Oversee data privacy, cybersecurity measures, and business continuity planning.
• Manage vendor audits and third-party compliance adherence.

5. Contract & Vendor Management

• Oversee contract analysts in managing vendor agreements, contract renewals, and compliance.
• Ensure adherence to contractual obligations, SLAs, and risk management clauses.
• Conduct regular contract performance reviews and negotiations to optimize service delivery.
• Develop policies for third-party risk management and vendor governance.

6. Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Provide governance reports on compliance status, risks, and performance metrics to leadership.
• Facilitate governance meetings, steering committees, and executive reviews.
• Act as a liaison between IT, HR, compliance, and business teams to align governance strategies with organizational goals.
• Communicate governance policies and best practices across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
Education
• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in IT, Business Administration, Compliance, or a related field.
• Certifications such as ITIL v4, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, COBIT, PMP, or CISSP are a plus.

Experience
• 10+ years of experience in IT governance, service management, compliance, or related fields.

Skills & Abilities
• Strong knowledge of ITIL, ISO 27001, ISO 20000, COBIT, and regulatory frameworks.
• Expertise in governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) methodologies.
• Understanding of HR policies, workforce governance, and labor law compliance.
• Experience in contract management, vendor governance, and SLA monitoring.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience leading cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to drive process improvements, audits, and security risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience in reporting, documentation, and governance policy development.

Desired Requirements
Education
• Master’s in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Experience
• 10+ relevant years.