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Group IT Manager · Dubai, UAE

Pranav
Vadakkan
Kovil

Global Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Leader

Strategic IT professional with 11+ years governing multi-site technology environments across 10+ countries — delivering digital transformation, enterprise security, and operational excellence for hospitality and F&B organizations worldwide.

Dubai, UAE · Available Immediately
15+ Business Units Managed
Get In Touch View Experience
11+
Years
10+
Countries
15+
Business Units
🛡️
☁️
🌐
85%
Phishing Vulnerability Reduction
99.9%
Operational Continuity
15%
Cost Reduction Achieved
40%
SLA Resolution Improvement
About

Aligning Technology
with Business Vision

I am a strategic, business-focused IT leader with over a decade of hands-on experience designing and governing technology environments that keep global hospitality and F&B operations running at scale.

My expertise spans the full technology spectrum — from enterprise ERP and cybersecurity to specialized hospitality systems and multi-site network infrastructure — across challenging geographies including MENA, Europe, and Asia.

I bring a rare combination of senior-level stakeholder engagement (CEO/CFO level) and deep technical execution, ensuring IT strategy is always tightly aligned with business growth objectives and expansion timelines.

Currently open to Group IT Director, Head of IT, or IT Manager roles within the hospitality, F&B, or retail sectors.

🇬🇧
English
🇮🇳
Hindi
🇮🇳
Malayalam
🇮🇳
Tamil
Strategic Leadership
Global IT Operations · Digital Transformation · IT Roadmap · M&A IT Integration · Vendor & Stakeholder Management
Cybersecurity & Risk
CrowdStrike XDR · Check Point Harmony · ISO 27001 · PCI DSS · GDPR Compliance · SOC Governance
Enterprise Systems
Oracle NetSuite ERP · Web Paytrax HRMS · SAP · Adaco · BirchStreet · SunSystems
Cloud & Productivity
Microsoft 365 · Google Workspace · Zoho Workplace · SharePoint Online · Azure · AWS
Hospitality Technology
Opera PMS · Micros Simphony · TigerTMS · HeroApps IPTV · Mitel & Avaya PABX
Networking & Infrastructure
Cisco · HPE Aruba · Huawei · Ubiquiti UniFi · SD-WAN · Fortinet · Reivernet
Experience

Career Journey

June 2023 — Present
Group IT Manager
Dives Holding — Dubai, UAE
Directing global IT operations for 15+ business units across 10+ countries (MENA, Europe, Asia)
  • Spearheaded end-to-end migration and governance of Oracle NetSuite Cloud ERP and Web Paytrax HRMS, centralizing financial and human capital data for 10+ international entities
  • Lead administration and security hardening of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Zoho environments across all international offices
  • Designed hybrid-cloud network environments for new market entries in UAE, Uzbekistan, China, Jordan, UK, KSA, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain
  • Directed global deployment of CrowdStrike XDR and Check Point Harmony, reducing phishing vulnerabilities by 85% through a 24/7 security monitoring framework
  • Consolidated fragmented POS systems into a unified enterprise stack integrated with the ERP for real-time inventory tracking
  • Managed annual IT Budget (CAPEX/OPEX), achieving a 15% reduction in operational costs through global vendor consolidation
April 2022 — June 2023
Assistant IT Manager
FIVE Hotels & Resorts — Dubai, UAE
Leading IT operations for luxury hospitality assets and high-revenue nightlife/F&B venues
  • Governed security infrastructure including Salto door lock systems and Oasys Biometric attendance tracking for 1,000+ staff members
  • Implemented ManageEngine for endpoint governance and service desk automation, improving SLA resolution times by 40%
  • Managed full-cycle IT setup for new flagship venues ensuring 100% readiness of high-density Huawei Wi-Fi, POS, and Sound/AV integrations
  • Hardened perimeter security via Sophos XG Firewalls and NAC solutions to protect guest data and maintain PCI DSS compliance
June 2018 — April 2022
IT Supervisor
Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel — Qatar
Managing technology for one of Qatar's largest resort and convention facilities
  • Spearheaded Opera PMS migration and integrated core hospitality platforms to align with Marriott International global standards
  • Directed enterprise-wide upgrade of door lock systems, transitioning to Paxton and ASSA ABLOY solutions
  • Upgraded TigerTMS call accounting software and architected a centralized Call Center setup, improving guest service response times and revenue capture
  • Directed migration of enterprise telephony from Avaya to Mitel IP environments
  • Led enterprise-grade network upgrades using HPE Aruba and Cisco and managed IPTV deployments
September 2015 — February 2018
System / IT Engineer & Professional Trainer
Blue Chip Computer System LLC & CMS IT Services Pvt. Ltd.
Supporting enterprise IT operations across multi-client environments
  • Managed enterprise server environments and supported virtualization initiatives using VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V / System Center
  • Delivered structured technical training across desktop engineering, Cisco networking, and Microsoft server technologies
  • Provided L2/L3 support across infrastructure, networking, and end-user environments
Technical Arsenal

Skills & Technologies

🏢
ERP & HRMS
Oracle NetSuite Web Paytrax SAP SunSystems Adaco BirchStreet Odoo
🛡️
Cybersecurity
CrowdStrike XDR Check Point Harmony Sophos Mimecast Perception Point PCI DSS ISO 27001
☁️
Cloud & Virtualization
Microsoft 365 Google Workspace Azure AWS VMware vSphere Hyper-V Veeam
🌐
Networking
Cisco Catalyst/Nexus HPE Aruba Huawei Ubiquiti UniFi SD-WAN Fortinet Antlabs
🏨
Hospitality & F&B Tech
Micros Simphony Opera PMS Foodics Syrve / IKOO TigerTMS HeroApps IPTV Auphan POS
🔒
Security & Access
Salto Paxton ASSA ABLOY ZKTECO Nitgen Oasys Biometrics
Credentials

Certifications

ISC2
Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
(ISC)²
Active
CompTIA
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA
Active
Check Point
Harmony Email & Collaboration
Check Point
Certified
Microsoft
MCSE: Server Infrastructure
Microsoft
Certified
Microsoft
MCSA: Server Infrastructure
Microsoft
Certified
Cisco
CCNA: Routing & Switching
Cisco
Certified
Google
Google AI Professional
Google
Certified
📋
ITIL 4 Foundations
Axelos
In Progress
PMI
PMP — Project Management Professional
PMI
In Progress
ISC2
CISSP
(ISC)²
In Preparation
🎓
B.Tech — Electronics & Communication Engineering
CUSAT, India
Graduated
Contact

Let's Connect

I'm currently open to senior IT leadership opportunities. Whether you're looking for a Group IT Director, Head of IT, or an IT Manager to spearhead your technology transformation — I'd be glad to connect.

LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/pranav-vk
Message
Use the form to reach me
Location
Dubai, UAE · Available Immediately

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