Manuel Demirdjian

Strategic and initiative-taking IT Executive with 25+ years of leadership experience across the GCC and MENA regions. Renowned for driving digital transformation, aligning enterprise IT strategies with business objectives, and delivering scalable, secure, and future-ready technology ecosystems.

I bring a bold, innovative mindset, specialising in Microsoft 365 security architecture, Azure infrastructure, SQL-based intelligence, and F&B technology operations. As a trusted advisor, I bridge the technical and business domains, delivering creative and practical solutions to mission-critical challenges. My leadership style empowers cross-functional teams, fosters agile delivery, and continuously drives operational excellence.

IT Director – AWJ Investments, Dubai (2021–Present)

• Spearheaded digital transformation, reducing IT operating costs by 20%
• Elevated Microsoft Secure Score from 23% to 87% through comprehensive M365 security overhauls
• Deployed enterprise-grade Azure serverless architecture with automated CI/CD pipelines
• Delivered seamless POS-ERP integrations and optimised analytics with Power BI and PowerShell
• Led Agile adoption across IT, boosting delivery velocity and cross-team collaboration

Multiple Leadership Roles – ITG Group, Beirut (2007–2021)

Business Development Manager & Acting Technical Manager | 2019 – 2021, Professional Services Manager | 2015 – 2019, Unit Manager, Senior System Specialist, System Specialist | 2007 – 2015

• Directed 22-member multi-country teams for large-scale F&B and hospitality implementations
• Enabled operational continuity post-COVID with remote support models and aggregator partnerships
• Designed custom APIs, enhanced POS systems, and led full-cycle ERP/POS rollouts
• Managed high-pressure deployments and provided strategic pre-sales and delivery leadership

Earlier Roles (1998–2007):
Held progressive technical leadership roles at DCS, Fusion, Confidence Insurance, and Green Systems—managing infrastructure, customer support operations, and network services while consistently delivering service excellence and revenue growth.

MBA – Master of Business Administration
University of Northampton, UK (2015–2017)
Focused on strategic leadership, organisational behaviour, and business transformation—equipping you with the commercial acumen to align IT with enterprise growth.

Professional Certifications

• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): Validates deep technical expertise in Microsoft infrastructure solutions
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Solid foundation in networking, security, and connectivity
• Project Management Training (2018): Reinforces your ability to drive complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Self-Directed Training: Ongoing mastery in Microsoft 365 Security, Azure Solutions, and Cloud Architecture