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Noel Benjamin D'Costa

ERP · Data · AI | The systems. The data. The decisions. I make them work. Then I make them smarter.

Abu Dhabi Emirate

14+ years of work experience

DXC Technology
Oct 20232 yrs 9 mosPresent

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Department of Government Enablement
Jan 202310 mosOct 2023

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

• Leads the development of the Digital Transformation Strategy for over 80 Abu Dhabi Government entities, aligning efforts to enhance digital capabilities and drive innovation across the emirate. • Conducts comprehensive analysis of the organization's current digital capabilities, identifying opportunities for improvement and optimization to meet strategic objectives. • Developed and executed a strategic plan for digital transformation, ensuring alignment with the overarching goals and vision of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. • Continuously identifies and evaluates emerging technologies and digital trends that can be harnessed to deliver impactful outcomes and drive progress for the emirate. • Spearheads cross-functional teams to implement the digital transformation plan, ensuring successful execution and alignment with organizational objectives. • Established and oversees the Enterprise Architecture function, which plays a crucial role in shaping the long-term digital strategy of the government and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, facilitating future growth and innovation. • Monitors the progress of digital transformation initiatives, providing regular reporting on their success and impact, and actively contributes to the continuous improvement and refinement of digital strategies.
EDGE
Aug 20202 yrs 6 mosJan 2023

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

• Transformed the organization into a digital-centric, data-driven business, creating value for the Group. Led key projects such as AI-driven recruitment, screening, and behavioral video interviewing; Advanced receivables forecasting utilizing AI/ML; Peripheral integration (IoT) with SAP Data Intelligence; and Generating data insights for Finance, HR, and Procurement through SAP Analytics. • Crafted and executed a 3-year digital transformation strategy, overseeing the successful implementation of the first two phases. Managed a team consisting of 30 internal and over 350 external agile resources. • Established and maintained productive partnerships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, employing both onsite and offsite models to deliver large-scale programs. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Successfully defined and executed a digital strategy, orchestrating the transformation of a complex legacy landscape comprising 8 ERPs into SAP S/4HANA 2020 for 25 entities and 13,000 employees. • Spearheaded the implementation of an 81% automation strategy, covering 495 business processes. • Led the transformation of the organization's analytics setup, shifting from a fragmented model to a unified "shop floor-to-boardroom" data vision. • Successfully rolled out RPA initiatives across multiple business units. • Introduced new employee platforms, including recognition systems, digital signature solutions and a group intranet, within the first 8 months of tenure. • Promoted and evangelized the digital vision across the entire group, securing buy-ins and building consensus among 25 companies. • Achieved cost reduction targets, with an ongoing plan to reduce operational costs by $60 million through consolidation and rationalization efforts. • Designed and implemented a customer portal equipped with Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and pricing technologies. • Implemented the global shared services model encompassing Procurement, Human Resources, Finance, and Facilities Management.
Technology Innovation Institute
Jun 20211 yr 6 mosNov 2022

Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

• Spearheaded the successful implementation of the Digital Transformation program for the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in partnership with the EDGE Program. This program encompassed crucial areas such as HR, Finance, and Procurement, driving the adoption of SAP on-premise and cloud solutions along with additional allied solutions, including Digital Signature and Supplier Portal integration. • Played a pivotal role in the comprehensive scope of the program, ensuring seamless integration and alignment of SAP solutions and ancillary tools to streamline TII's operations and enhance efficiency across various departments. • Contributed to the development of an internal team, facilitating the recruitment and onboarding of key personnel to support the implementation of the Digital Transformation program. This strategic approach ensured the availability of the necessary expertise and resources to successfully drive the program to fruition.
Etihad
Jan 20173 yrs 8 mosAug 2020

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

• Directed the technology portfolio supporting an ecosystem, encompassing 29,000 employees, 16 subsidiaries, and serving 17 million passengers. Maintained a direct reporting line to the Chief Digital Officer and led the SAP Center of Excellence (CoE) value stream with a budget of USD 75 million. • Took ownership of the successful delivery of Etihad's digital strategy, overseeing initiatives such as the SAP program, Robotics & Process Automation, and Data Science. • Collaborated with C-level leadership, and the Board of Directors, participating in the shaping of product roadmaps and the development of business cases for digital and innovation initiatives. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Spearheaded the development of Etihad's Finance Data Warehouse and Master Data programs, instrumental in supporting online financial decision-making and master data governance. • Implemented improvements in financial control processes, rolling out SAP Direct Operating Costs, Collections & Disputes, Financial Consolidation, and Vendor Invoice modules. These initiatives resulted in annual cost reductions of USD 6 million. • Collaborated with the HR team to execute a roll-out of Employee Central, SuccessFactors, and OpenText xECM, representing an investment of USD 15 million. The implementation delivered benefits, including licensing and operational advantages amounting to USD 36 million. • Accelerated the delivery of S/4 HANA 1709 for a subsidiary, playing a crucial role in preparing the group for the transition from ECC 6.0. • Orchestrated a transformation in the Procurement landscape, implementing initiatives such as supplier enablement, P-Card implementation, source-to-contract optimization, and the creation of a supplier portal. • Led an overhaul of traditional SAP Application Support, resulting in a 40% reduction in costs. Introduced captive teams and pioneered the implementation of SAP DevOps capabilities, contributing to lower project costs totaling USD 11 million.
Etihad
Jan 20125 yrs 5 mosMay 2017

Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• Directed the quality assurance function across major programs, including Digital, e-Commerce, Flight Operations, Revenue Management, and Back Office implementations at Etihad. This encompassed technical, functional, and operational aspects, ensuring the successful delivery of critical projects. • Assumed responsibility for overseeing corporate IT compliance, both internally and with global/international government requirements. Conducted thorough evaluations of process owners' and data owners' compliance with internal policies, procedures, and relevant external laws and regulations, and provided comprehensive reports on their appropriateness. • Collaborated with the C-Suite to identify tactical and strategic solutions for addressing core organizational risks and issues. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Achieved remarkable success in cost optimization by developing and implementing innovative operating models, including outsourcing and hybrid manpower structures. These initiatives resulted in cost savings of approximately US$15 million, equating to a 40% reduction in IT expenditure. • Led the strategic decommissioning of multiple interface platforms and collaborated closely with the technology function to establish a unified integration platform. This strategic move contributed to a US$12 million reduction in IT costs, streamlining operations and enhancing cost efficiency. • Implemented a highly effective Supplier and Cost Management framework that led to a significant 30% reduction in IT costs. This framework was particularly impactful in optimizing aviation contracts through a comprehensive review process, taking into account volume, revenue, and user metrics, further enhancing cost-effectiveness.

Education

CIMA

Chartered Global Management Accountant - CGMA, FInance and Management Accounting

CIMA

INSEAD

Executive Education, Artificial Intelligence (in association with Microsoft)

INSEAD

20192019

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Headline

ERP · Data · AI | The systems. The data. The decisions. I make them work. Then I make them smarter.

About

$400M+ in financial impact for a national airline. 80% automation across 25 defence entities. 100% cloud migration for 84 government entities. $300M+ active pipeline. 10+ full life cycle ERP implementations. That's the track record. Here's why it matters. I'm a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA, AICPA) with a Masters in Computer Applications. Finance and technology. I read the P&L and I build the system that generates it. Most people in this space do one or the other. I do both. 𝗦𝗔𝗣 & 𝗘𝗥𝗣 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 SAP S/4HANA. RISE. GROW. Business AI. Datasphere. BTP. Analytics Cloud. SuccessFactors. Greenfield builds, brownfield consolidations, and full platform migrations across SAP, Oracle Fusion Cloud, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 & 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 Cloud architecture on AWS, Azure, and GCP. Integration through MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, and API management. Solution architecture from blueprint to hypercare. AI, ML, IoT, RPA. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 Teams of 300+. 800+ consultants across SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft practices. CXO stakeholder management. Programme governance. P&L ownership. The full scope. I also build what I can't find in the market. 👉 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 A project management product built for SAP implementations. Generic PM tools don't understand ERP delivery. So I built one that does. 👉 𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗖𝗩 A career system for ERP and tech consultants. ATS-optimised CVs, project portfolios, interview prep, and job matching. Built from 25 years of hiring and being hired in this space. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 Agentic AI and how it changes enterprise operations. Business transformation that actually sticks. Data Transfiguration. Rethinking how enterprises structure, govern, and use their data. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 Defence · Aviation · Government · Banking · Energy · Oil & Gas · Manufacturing · FMCG · Retail · Middle East and Global 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 CIMA · AICPA · SAP Activate · SAFe Agile · TOGAF · CISA · ITIL · Certified SAP Project Manager noeldcosta.com

Location

Abu Dhabi Emirate

Work experience

Managing Partner MEA - SAP at DXC Technology, Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Digital Transformation Executive Advisor at Department of Government Enablement, Jan 2023 - Oct 2023 · 10 mos, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, • Leads the development of the Digital Transformation Strategy for over 80 Abu Dhabi Government entities, aligning efforts to enhance digital capabilities and drive innovation across the emirate. • Conducts comprehensive analysis of the organization's current digital capabilities, identifying opportunities for improvement and optimization to meet strategic objectives. • Developed and executed a strategic plan for digital transformation, ensuring alignment with the overarching goals and vision of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. • Continuously identifies and evaluates emerging technologies and digital trends that can be harnessed to deliver impactful outcomes and drive progress for the emirate. • Spearheads cross-functional teams to implement the digital transformation plan, ensuring successful execution and alignment with organizational objectives. • Established and oversees the Enterprise Architecture function, which plays a crucial role in shaping the long-term digital strategy of the government and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, facilitating future growth and innovation. • Monitors the progress of digital transformation initiatives, providing regular reporting on their success and impact, and actively contributes to the continuous improvement and refinement of digital strategies.

Executive Digital Transformation Director at EDGE, Aug 2020 - Jan 2023 · 2 yrs 6 mos, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, • Transformed the organization into a digital-centric, data-driven business, creating value for the Group. Led key projects such as AI-driven recruitment, screening, and behavioral video interviewing; Advanced receivables forecasting utilizing AI/ML; Peripheral integration (IoT) with SAP Data Intelligence; and Generating data insights for Finance, HR, and Procurement through SAP Analytics. • Crafted and executed a 3-year digital transformation strategy, overseeing the successful implementation of the first two phases. Managed a team consisting of 30 internal and over 350 external agile resources. • Established and maintained productive partnerships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, employing both onsite and offsite models to deliver large-scale programs. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Successfully defined and executed a digital strategy, orchestrating the transformation of a complex legacy landscape comprising 8 ERPs into SAP S/4HANA 2020 for 25 entities and 13,000 employees. • Spearheaded the implementation of an 81% automation strategy, covering 495 business processes. • Led the transformation of the organization's analytics setup, shifting from a fragmented model to a unified "shop floor-to-boardroom" data vision. • Successfully rolled out RPA initiatives across multiple business units. • Introduced new employee platforms, including recognition systems, digital signature solutions and a group intranet, within the first 8 months of tenure. • Promoted and evangelized the digital vision across the entire group, securing buy-ins and building consensus among 25 companies. • Achieved cost reduction targets, with an ongoing plan to reduce operational costs by $60 million through consolidation and rationalization efforts. • Designed and implemented a customer portal equipped with Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) and pricing technologies. • Implemented the global shared services model encompassing Procurement, Human Resources, Finance, and Facilities Management.

Program Director - Digital Transformation at Technology Innovation Institute, Jun 2021 - Nov 2022 · 1 yr 6 mos, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, • Spearheaded the successful implementation of the Digital Transformation program for the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in partnership with the EDGE Program. This program encompassed crucial areas such as HR, Finance, and Procurement, driving the adoption of SAP on-premise and cloud solutions along with additional allied solutions, including Digital Signature and Supplier Portal integration. • Played a pivotal role in the comprehensive scope of the program, ensuring seamless integration and alignment of SAP solutions and ancillary tools to streamline TII's operations and enhance efficiency across various departments. • Contributed to the development of an internal team, facilitating the recruitment and onboarding of key personnel to support the implementation of the Digital Transformation program. This strategic approach ensured the availability of the necessary expertise and resources to successfully drive the program to fruition.

Head - Digital, Technology and Innovation - Enterprise Value Stream at Etihad, Jan 2017 - Aug 2020 · 3 yrs 8 mos, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates, • Directed the technology portfolio supporting an ecosystem, encompassing 29,000 employees, 16 subsidiaries, and serving 17 million passengers. Maintained a direct reporting line to the Chief Digital Officer and led the SAP Center of Excellence (CoE) value stream with a budget of USD 75 million. • Took ownership of the successful delivery of Etihad's digital strategy, overseeing initiatives such as the SAP program, Robotics & Process Automation, and Data Science. • Collaborated with C-level leadership, and the Board of Directors, participating in the shaping of product roadmaps and the development of business cases for digital and innovation initiatives. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Spearheaded the development of Etihad's Finance Data Warehouse and Master Data programs, instrumental in supporting online financial decision-making and master data governance. • Implemented improvements in financial control processes, rolling out SAP Direct Operating Costs, Collections & Disputes, Financial Consolidation, and Vendor Invoice modules. These initiatives resulted in annual cost reductions of USD 6 million. • Collaborated with the HR team to execute a roll-out of Employee Central, SuccessFactors, and OpenText xECM, representing an investment of USD 15 million. The implementation delivered benefits, including licensing and operational advantages amounting to USD 36 million. • Accelerated the delivery of S/4 HANA 1709 for a subsidiary, playing a crucial role in preparing the group for the transition from ECC 6.0. • Orchestrated a transformation in the Procurement landscape, implementing initiatives such as supplier enablement, P-Card implementation, source-to-contract optimization, and the creation of a supplier portal. • Led an overhaul of traditional SAP Application Support, resulting in a 40% reduction in costs. Introduced captive teams and pioneered the implementation of SAP DevOps capabilities, contributing to lower project costs totaling USD 11 million.

Head of Digital Strategy, Business Assurance & Process Improvement at Etihad, Jan 2012 - May 2017 · 5 yrs 5 mos, Khalifa Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, • Directed the quality assurance function across major programs, including Digital, e-Commerce, Flight Operations, Revenue Management, and Back Office implementations at Etihad. This encompassed technical, functional, and operational aspects, ensuring the successful delivery of critical projects. • Assumed responsibility for overseeing corporate IT compliance, both internally and with global/international government requirements. Conducted thorough evaluations of process owners' and data owners' compliance with internal policies, procedures, and relevant external laws and regulations, and provided comprehensive reports on their appropriateness. • Collaborated with the C-Suite to identify tactical and strategic solutions for addressing core organizational risks and issues. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 • Achieved remarkable success in cost optimization by developing and implementing innovative operating models, including outsourcing and hybrid manpower structures. These initiatives resulted in cost savings of approximately US$15 million, equating to a 40% reduction in IT expenditure. • Led the strategic decommissioning of multiple interface platforms and collaborated closely with the technology function to establish a unified integration platform. This strategic move contributed to a US$12 million reduction in IT costs, streamlining operations and enhancing cost efficiency. • Implemented a highly effective Supplier and Cost Management framework that led to a significant 30% reduction in IT costs. This framework was particularly impactful in optimizing aviation contracts through a comprehensive review process, taking into account volume, revenue, and user metrics, further enhancing cost-effectiveness.

Education

Chartered Global Management Accountant - CGMA, FInance and Management Accounting, CIMA

Executive Education, Artificial Intelligence (in association with Microsoft), INSEAD