CTO & Chief Architect
Mirum Agency – WPP Group
Total des années d'expérience :17 years, 8 Mois
CTO & Chief Architect
Mirum Agency - WPP Group (Global - 28 countries)
Dec. 2017 - Jul. 2019
Mirum is a borderless agency of over 2500 digital experts, which globally operates in more than 46 offices.
JWT, now Wunderman Thompson, is Mirum’s parent company.
• Reported to the Mirum MENA Region CEO and Mirum Global CTO.
• Lead Mirum-MENA's technology strategy & direction, implemented the necessary processes & systems in place, oversaw our solutions design & architecture to ensure that technology serves as a business enabler, and developed successful partnerships with business & technology leaderships.
• Headed the Software Development, R&D, QA, Infrastructure, Support and Architecture teams.
o Presented and set the company’s technology strategy and direction in alignment with our business goals and objectives.
o Lead a 50+ cross-functional team (local/remote in-house & outsourcing) of tech leads, software developers, QA analysts and systems engineers.
o Oversaw the progress of all engineering departments on a frequent basis and offer strategic advice/direction where necessary
o Communicated the company’s technology vision and services both internally and externally.
o Envisioned and implemented R&D, prototypes and new solutions that yield competitive advantage.
o Adopted, created and improved the engineering processes, technologies and tools.
o Guided technology and architectural direction and decision making.
o Audited specifications, architectures, project plans, and product builds to ensure they meet the business requirements and quality standards (performance, security, scaling, reliability, continuity).
o Tracked, analysed, and monitored technology performance metrics and work with various stakeholders to continually improve performance and outcomes.
o Conducted interviews, performed evaluations, and inspired my team to fulfil their maximum potential by guiding their career path and skills development.
o Established and maintained external relationships with clients, tech partners and outsourcing hubs.
Important Projects / Products:
• FAB Bank Sitecore Public Portal and Mobile App
• Al Rajhi Bank Sitecore Public Portal and Mobile App
• SABB Bank Sitecore Public Portal and Mobile App
• SABB Bank Unified Digital Banking Portal - POC with demo DBS Open Banking APIs
• POTUS KSA Visit - Social Media engagement, Sentiment & Data analytics, Reporting dashboards
• Lebanon 24 Public CMS News Portal
CTO & Chief Architect
The Next Link - DNY Group (Lebanon)
Mar. 2015 - Nov. 2017
The Next Link was a startup Enterprise Development Services venture within DNY Group with the main objective of serving the Group’s startup ventures and building their tech products and architectural foundations.
• Was the co-founder and managing director of this startup.
• As part of The Next Link services, I represented and lead the Tech of the group’s startup ventures, acting as their CTO, building and coaching their internal tech teams, developing their architecture and product roadmaps, and guiding their product lifecycles from idea generation to launch.
• Responsible for all aspects of The Next Link:
o Oversaw the company’s finances and books.
o Managed client relations (account management and business development).
o Lead the Technology team, services, and products.
o Dealt with all day-to-day team, logistics and admin operations.
• As The Next Link’s CTO and Chief Architect:
o Built, coached and lead a 10+ cross-functional technology team (local/outsourcing).
o Contributed to software architecture, development, QA, and delivery as well as project management.
o Established technical standards and ensured adherence to them.
o Evaluated and identified appropriate technology platforms (including web application frameworks and the deployment stack) for delivering the company’s services and products in an optimal and efficient manner.
o Executed technology sprints in rapid build cycles.
o Lead the design & architecture efforts and performed continuous source-code reviews and build-audits to ensure adherence to architecture and quality standards.
o Managed communications and resolved conflicts.
o Guided technology and architectural direction and decision making.
o Designed and implemented prototypes and POCs.
o Established and maintained external relationships with clients, tech partners and outsourcing hubs.
o Acted as the chief product manager, building roadmaps, aligning with clients on features and priorities, and analyzing all functional and business requirements.
o Conducted interviews, performed evaluations and inspired my team to fulfil their maximum potential by guiding their career path and skills development.
o Designed and prepared training programs and materials to coach and transform fresh university graduates into productive, cross-functional, and technology-agnostic software developers.
Sample Projects / Products:
• Antwork - Smart Building Management Platform
• Yakshof - Data-driven smart news aggregator Platform
• Reef Kinetics Reefbot - AWS IOT, Raspberry Pi Firmware, Data analytics, Client & Management Portals
• Bead - Wearable sensors, Data analytics, Client & Management Portals
• Vinlite - Smart Social Automobile-lovers Platform
CTO & Chief Architect
Cleartag - DNY Group (MENA Region)
Apr. 2013 - Feb. 2015
Cleartag in the MENA Region was acquired and became Mirum Agency in 2016.
• Reported to the company’s CEO
• Established the company’s technical vision and lead all aspects of the company’s technology.
• Headed the Software Development, R&D, QA, Infrastructure, Support and Architecture teams.
o Presented and set the company’s technology strategy and direction in alignment with our business goals and objectives.
o Lead a 30+ cross-functional team (local/remote in-house & outsourcing) of tech leads, software developers, QA analysts and systems engineers.
o Contributed to software architecture, development, QA, and delivery as well as project management.
o Envisioned and implemented R&D, prototypes and new solutions that yield competitive advantage.
o Adopted, created and improved the engineering processes, technologies and tools.
o Guided technology and architectural direction and decision making.
o Audited specifications, architectures, project plans, and product builds to ensure they meet the business requirements and quality standards (performance, security, scaling, reliability, continuity).
o Tracked, analysed, and monitored technology performance metrics and work with various stakeholders to continually improve performance and outcomes.
o Conducted interviews, performed evaluations, and inspired my team to fulfil their maximum potential by guiding their career path and skills development.
o Established and maintained external relationships with clients, tech partners and outsourcing hubs.
Sample Projects / Products:
• Audi Bank Cards Online (Credit and Prepaid) Portal
• Audi Bank Prepaid Cards Vending Machine - Card Designer & Instant Printer
• Lurpak Social Media Activation Vending Machine and Moderation Console
• MTN Public CMS Portal
• Arabsat Public CMS Portal
Software Development Director
Cleartag - DNY Group (MENA Region)
Sep. 2010 - Mar. 2013
Cleartag in the MENA Region was acquired and became Mirum Agency in 2016.
• Lead the Software Development, R&D, QA, and Architecture department.
o Lead a 30+ cross-functional team (local/remote in-house & outsourcing) of tech leads, software developers, QA analysts and systems engineers.
o Contributed to software architecture, development, QA, and delivery as well as project management.
o Ensured delivery consistent with Agile processes across the team.
o Worked effectively with Product Managers and Product Owners to ensure delivery against agreed priorities.
o Implemented mechanisms to monitor, manage and provide progress on all software development activities.
o Ensured on-time and to-quality delivery of software development projects.
o Created, implemented and maintained a continuous improvement plan for software development and IT infrastructure.
o Worked closely with the Product Managers with the aim of meeting current and future user needs.
o Identified, selected, and managed external partners for the delivery of best in class technologies suitable for applications (when needed).
o Identified and implemented technology trends to support the future success of the business.
o Understood the use cases (and/or user stories) in order to oversee, audit, and contribute to audit the design of the architecture for the products to be built.
o Ensured that technology standards and best practices were maintained across the organization.
o Conducted interviews, performed evaluations, and inspired my team to fulfil their maximum potential by guiding their career path and skills development.
Sample Projects / Products:
• Audi Bank Payment Gateway and Tokenization Platforms
• Audi Bank NOVO - Digital Banking Kiosk
• Al Hilal Bank - Innovation prototype for Automotive event - RFID scanner / reader, Wii Controller and driver, 3D and physical car models and an AR App
• Future News TV Public CMS Website - News & Media Management System
• Various Facebook Apps - HTML / Flash games and activations
Operations & PMO Director
Cleartag - DNY Group (MENA Region)
May. 2009 - Aug. 2010
Cleartag in the MENA Region was acquired and became Mirum Agency in 2016.
• Directed the following functions:
o Operations / Planning and Strategy / Business Process Improvement / Project Management
o Enterprise Solutions Architecture / R&D
• As PMO Director, built, coached and lead a team of project managers, coordinators and controllers.
• Adopted and adapted Project Management mythologies suitable for the company’s services and projects.
• Established a framework for production/project cost control & conducted resource/project assessments.
• Prepared short-term and long-range budget plans based on broad company goals and growth objectives.
• Set the optimal interim and target org-charts and structures necessary to carry out the company’s current activities and its projected growth.
• Set RACI matrices, policies, procedures and control checks to promote and reward accountability, transparency, communication and adequate information flow within the company.
• Established operating policies consistent with the company’s objectives and ensured their execution.
• Delegated portions of activities, responsibilities, and authorities, gradually and as necessary, to staff and to managers/directors. Ensured that the responsibilities, authorities, and accountability of all direct supervisees were defined and understood.
• Participated in acquisition and growth activities, including investigations, evaluations, and negotiations.
• Directed the development and establishment of adequate and equitable personnel policies throughout the company including compensation policies and employee incentive plans.
• Ensured that all activities and operations were carried out efficiently and within allocated budgets.
• Tracked, monitored and evaluated the results of overall operations regularly and systematically.
Sample Projects / Products:
• Cleartag Incentive Plan - Weighed Performance KPIs
• Cleartag Project & Document Management Platform - Process Automation and Workflow
• Cleartag Processes and Policies
• Cleartag RACI Matrix and Project Management Lifecycle flow and templates
• R&D - AR, Eye Motion Detection, Robots, Facebook Apps
Project Manager & Enterprise Solutions Architect
Netways (MENA Region + Canada - offshore)
Mar. 2005 - Mar. 2009
Netways was a Microsoft Gold Partner.
• Lead on several fronts:
o Project Management / Business Process Improvement
o Enterprise Solutions Architecture
o Product Management of Information Worker solutions: MS SharePoint & MS EPM
• Managed the acquisition, preparation, assessment, assignment, and management of the resources required for the project.
• Managed small to large local, remote and outsourcing teams.
• Planned, monitored, and controlled projects using adapted project management methodologies and templates that fit project types and requirements.
• Lead the project’s technology design & solution architecture efforts based on the specific requirements & best practices.
• Audited and helped technical writers to ensure quality internal and external client-oriented documentation.
• Defined & implemented project review, change control and acceptance procedures that conform to the chosen project methodology.
• Proactively identified project risks and solved issues through logging, assessment, mitigation, prioritization, and conducting corrective actions for resolution.
• Took accountability for the project financials through assuring and authorizing billable deliverables to be processed for payment.
• Audited the quality of builds and deliverables and performed regular code reviews.
• Conducted Project Kickoffs, Project Closure Activities, Project Execution Plans, Detailed Development Plans.
• Provided technical consultancy on evaluating, proposing and implementing information worker solutions targeting various industries and sectors.
• Built road maps, project plans, project estimates, vision scope documents, functional specification documents, architecture and design documents, project structure documents, communication plans, and technical and financial proposals.
• Motivated my team, cheered for their wins, and helped them with their tasks.
• Ensured the delivery with high quality and excellence.
Sample Projects / Products:
• Qatar Executive Council of Family Affair (ECFA) - EPM, SharePoint, Power Bi
• Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) EPM System
• Dubai Police Public SharePoint Portal
• Bahrain MOW Intranet SharePoint Portal - Canada offshore
• Infusion Intranet SharePoint Portal - Canada offshore
• Netways Project & Document Management Platform - Process Automation and Workflow
Project Manager & Tech Lead
BMB Marking Systems - BMB Group (MENA Region)
Jun. 2003 - Sep. 2004
BMB Marking System, now BMB Move was a Symbol Partner.
• Built Mobile apps (Palm/Pocket PC with centralized sync & infrared printing)
• Built Custom Retail Applications: Sales & Inventory management (POS, Web & Desktop)
• Conducted Consultancy & Training services
Sample Projects / Products:
• Napco Sales Platform - Palm App, Custom Management Portal with approval workflows
• Fatal Sales Platform - Palm App, Custom Management Portal with approval workflows
Software Engineer & Business Analyst
Stripling & Beck (USA - offshore & Lebanon)
Jun. 2002 - May. 2003
Stripling & Beck was a web-agency based in USA with a development offshore office based in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Analyzed applications’ requirements and life cycle from the business perspective.
• Wrote Technical Documentation, Flowcharts, Use-cases, and UML diagrams.
• Developed Web Applications using ASP, ASP.NET, MS Access, and MS SQL.
Sample Projects / Products:
• NSync Meeting Platform - Web App to facilitate meetings: ideas, voting, and prioritization of action items
• Custom CRMs and Public CMS Websites
Software Engineer & IT Admin
Kaditec (Lebanon)
Jun. 2001 - May. 2002
Part-timer.
• Developed desktop form-based applications.
• Installed, configured, maintained, and upgraded PC software and hardware.
Bachelor Degree in Computer Science American University of Beirut, Lebanon Sep. 1997 - Jun. 2001 WES Canadian equivalency obtained, equivalent to Canadian BS in Computer Science • Graduated with an average of 84.5/100 in the top 5% of my class • Developed my interests in AI & Machine Learning by engaging in research projects with the top professors in the Computer Science department Graduate Studies in Computer Science American University of Beirut, Lebanon Sep. 2001 - Jun. 2004 WES Canadian equivalency obtained, equivalent to Canadian one year of graduate studies in Computer Science • Awarded a graduate assistantship and a full scholarship for my graduate studies • Completed graduate courses with an average of 82.5/100 average (Master’s with Thesis Pending)