Senior Project Manager · Abu Dhabi, UAE

Afroze
Shaikh

IT & Data Management

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

12+ years delivering complex IT and data management projects across UAE and India — from initiation through closure, with a focus on process optimization and data privacy compliance.

PMP PMI-ACP ITIL ITSM AI-900 Lean Six Sigma
Afroze Shaikh

About

The Person Behind
the Projects

I am Afroze Shaikh, a certified IT Project Manager with over a decade of experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects across the UAE and India. My expertise spans the full project lifecycle — from initiation and planning through execution and closure.

Currently serving as Senior Project Manager at the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), I lead data protection initiatives aligned with GDPR and PDPL regulations, while simultaneously managing multiple concurrent projects with cross-functional teams.

I thrive in dynamic environments and am passionate about building efficient systems, fostering collaboration, and delivering results that align with strategic organizational goals.

Email afroze.saifan@gmail.com
Phone +971 558 675 062
12+
Years of Experience

50+
Projects Managed

6
Companies

3
Countries

Work History

Professional Experience

Feb 2022 – Present
~4 yrs

Senior Project Manager

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)

Abu Dhabi, UAE · Full-time · On-site

  • Lead end-to-end project lifecycle, from initiation to closure, ensuring adherence to scope, goals, and deliverables.
  • Manage project scope, timelines, and budgets for multiple concurrent projects.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams, set priorities, and foster effective communication across stakeholders.
  • Identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively manage project risk.
  • Interpret and implement data protection regulations (GDPR, PDPL) and conduct comprehensive privacy assessments.
  • Design and deliver employee training programs on data privacy best practices and compliance requirements.

May 2021 – Jan 2022
9 mos

Senior Consultant

PwC Middle East

United Arab Emirates · Full-time

  • Interfaced with clients to gather functional and non-functional requirements using data flow modeling, workflow analysis, and object modeling.
  • Translated business requirements into system specifications via BRD and CR forms.
  • Managed requirements backlog complexity and priority using Agile/Scrum methodologies.
  • Defined comprehensive test cases covering all business scenarios and system performance criteria.
  • Provided technical guidance to team members, accelerating onboarding and skill development.

Mar 2017 – Feb 2020
3 yrs

Senior Project Manager

Techno5 Media Industries (Techno5 Solutions)

Pune, Maharashtra, India · Full-time

  • Defined, documented, and managed projects end-to-end with minimal supervision across multiple teams.
  • Developed individual project plans with budgetary information and resource needs.
  • Ensured technical delivery as per implementation methodology while motivating and developing team members.
  • Managed change control and reported project status to senior management regularly.

Feb 2015 – Feb 2017
2 yrs

Senior Project Management Consultant

Bureau Veritas

Abu Dhabi, UAE · Full-time

  • Handled client kickoff meetings, requirements gathering, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Performed technical review of audit reports for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and HACCP standards.
  • Managed NCR closures, certification approvals, and oversaw timely certificate issuance.
  • Developed database systems and generated statistical reports for the training department.

Apr 2014 – Nov 2014
8 mos

Senior Project Consultant

FOHMICS

UAE · Full-time

  • Managed BRD preparation, screen designing, functional specifications, and milestone planning.
  • Created business models and flowcharts using Microsoft Visio and Gantt charts for project tracking.
  • Interacted with government organizations in Abu Dhabi to understand and deliver software requirements.

Apr 2010 – Feb 2014
3 yrs 11 mos

Technical Support Consultant

Allscripts

India · Full-time

  • Investigated and replicated complex incidents to identify root causes in high-volume production environments.
  • Provided Citrix XenApp support including installation, user management, and VPN troubleshooting.
  • Tracked SLA performance, maintained CSAT quality standards, and prepared management dashboards.

Sep 2008 – Mar 2010
1 yr 7 mos

Software Engineer

Syntel

India · Full-time

  • Provided helpdesk support and resolved problems to end-user satisfaction.
  • Managed PC setup, deployment, workstation hardware/software upgrades for new employees.
  • Maintained Active Directory user/computer assignments and software license inventory.

Expertise

Skills & Capabilities

Project Management

End-to-end lifecycle ownership across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

End-to-End Lifecycle Scope Management Budget Control Risk Management Stakeholder Management Change Control

Agile & Methodologies

Certified agile practitioner across Scrum, Kanban, and ITIL frameworks.

Scrum Kanban PMI-ACP ITIL ITSM Lean Six Sigma

Data Privacy & Compliance

Regulatory interpretation and privacy programme delivery in government contexts.

GDPR PDPL Privacy Assessments Data Classification Retention Policies Compliance Training

Business Analysis

Bridging business needs and technical delivery through rigorous documentation.

BRD Writing Functional Specs Data Flow Modeling Use Case Analysis Requirements Traceability UAT

Tools & Platforms

MS Project Microsoft Visio Jira Oracle Applications Manage Engine Citrix XenApp

Leadership & Soft Skills

Team Leadership Client Relations Cross-cultural Teams Training & Mentoring Problem Solving Communication

Credentials

Certifications

PMP — Project Management Professional

The gold standard in project management certification by PMI, validating end-to-end project leadership skills.

PMI-ACP — Agile Certified Practitioner

Demonstrates expertise in agile methodologies including Scrum, Kanban, and iterative delivery frameworks.

ITIL — IT Infrastructure Library

Best practices framework for IT service management, delivery, and continuous service improvement.

AI-900 — Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals

Foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cognitive services on Azure.

Lean Six Sigma

Process improvement methodology combining Lean manufacturing principles with Six Sigma quality practices.

ITSM — IT Service Management

Structured approach to designing, delivering, managing, and improving IT services to meet business needs.


Education

Academic Background

2003 – 2008

Bachelor of Engineering — Electronics

Walchand Institute of Technology, Pune

Activities: Talent Management Activities, Paper Presentations


Get In Touch

Let's Connect

Open to new opportunities, collaborations, and professional conversations. Whether you're looking for a senior project leader, a data privacy expert, or a strategic consultant — I'd love to hear from you.