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Need advice from: IT PM's, Directors, Etc

1K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  atlanticist 
#1 ·
After a great deal of research, I've concluded that it is possible for me to comfortably do the "Dubai experience" with my profession as a IT/Technology PM. I am now working on a very practical 1.5-3 year plan to move out there as there are a number of personal and professional things that I believe need to be handled first.

It would appear that there are fair number of firms paying decent salaries by US/UK standards for solid candidates possessing the necessary soft and professional skills — plus the UAE tax benefits. Although, getting to these seems to be far from easy without a corporate transfer.


I want to gather some suggestions of where to start getting a presence to hopefully relieve the struggle that many seem to encounter while searching.

  • I'm going to chase after the recruiters soon, but is there a better way to reach out to employers?
  • I hope to make a few trips out there - Anything specific I can do while I visit?
  • Other than the PMP, are there any relevant certs that are appealing out there? Prince2? I had never heard of it until I read a UAE job posting...
  • Anything else?

From all I can gather, I will likely take a small pay cut moving to Dubai due to a lower demand and the fact that I already am very well payed in a notoriously high paying part of the US. This is fine as long as the tax benefits outweigh the loss.

Thank you!
 
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#2 ·
After a great deal of research, I've concluded that it is possible for me to comfortably do the "Dubai experience" with my profession as a IT/Technology PM.

[...]

From all I can gather, I will likely take a small pay cut moving to Dubai due to a lower demand and the fact that I already am very well payed in a notoriously high paying part of the US. This is fine as long as the tax benefits outweigh the loss.
The bold red parts in the above quote make me think that you should research a bit more.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Not in the states.

PMP is the gold standard here.

Out of literally thousands of jobs listings I've looked at while job hunting here, it has never shown up. I had to go out of my way to find job listings with this requested.

Regarding BeamRiders response:
I've done plenty. There are people in that line of work on this board and others posting salaries hovering around what I want for positions with similar skills - in addition to many job listings reflecting the same thing.

Please no more lectures about the cheap labor in IT issue. I'm not concerned.
 
#5 · (Edited)
OP,

Tons of high paying jobs here in executive IT level roles and PMs. At the end of the day focus on large corps that are trying to implement "Western" business practices and standards. If you are as good as you say you are then a head hunter/recruiter should pick you up quite quickly. Otherwise try and network with as many people as you can via Linked-In or other channels. So many roles here are "who you know" simply because companies don't have the time to recruit traditionally with all the competition.

I have done my 3 years here as a CIO and PM enjoying the tax free benefits but to be quite honest, the extra hours and the frustrations I have dealt with here makes it hard to outweigh standardized business practices of that in the US or Canada. With that said, I enjoy the ability to travel and the time off (when I manage to take it). Now I am just waiting for the right opportunity in the US in one of my preferred locations and I will leave with no regrets and be thankful of the experience.

As for Prince2... I wouldn't worry about it too much as PMP is a global standard and will suffice just fine IMO. In terms of a paycut, not sure if you are in public or private sector and the industry of focus as honestly I wouldn't move here for a pay cut regardless of taxes. I was in Public Sector/Higher Ed so coming here was like me shifting into Private sector with a nice pay increase!

Hope this helps!
 
#6 ·
OP,

Tons of high paying jobs here in executive IT level roles and PMs. At the end of the day focus on large corps that are trying to implement "Western" business practices and standards. If you are as good as you say you are then a head hunter/recruiter should pick you up quite quickly. Otherwise try and network with as many people as you can via Linked-In or other channels. So many roles here are "who you know" simply because companies don't have the time to recruit traditionally with all the competition.

I have done my 3 years here as a CIO and PM enjoying the tax free benefits but to be quite honest, the extra hours and the frustrations I have dealt with here makes it hard to outweigh standardized business practices of that in the US or Canada. With that said, I enjoy the ability to travel and the time off (when I manage to take it). Now I am just waiting for the right opportunity in the US in one of my preferred locations and I will leave with no regrets and be thankful of the experience.

As for Prince2... I wouldn't worry about it too much as PMP is a global standard and will suffice just fine IMO.

Hope this helps!
This is what I was looking for. Thank you!

Any networking opportunities/events I should go for while I'm there? ...need to work on that "who you know" thing a bit more.
 
#9 ·
I was approached by a local headhunter via Linkedin. No effort required on my part. Did a short telephone screening interview with the client after a number of chats with headhunter and after a relatively straight-forward assessment day at the client site in Dubai, I start in 4 weeks time.

I would suggest getting your Linkedin profile looking as good as possible and then scan through the local IT recruitment specialists in Dubai and reach out to them.

My sense is that companies are very keen to bring in experienced Western managers in key positions. My position isn't technical. It's primarily IT delivery with an emphasis on managing internal stakeholders. There are plenty of opportunities both here and in Abu Dhabi.
 
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