Mohammed Ziyad

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫-𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝐀𝐈 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫

With over 13 years of experience in digital transformation, AI, and software engineering including 6+ years in leadership roles. I specialize in driving large-scale innovation and operational excellence across insurance, e-commerce, government, and education sectors.

I hold a Professional Doctorate in Digital Transformation & AI (France), an MBA (USA), and a Bachelor’s in Software Engineering (KSA). My career includes leading cross-functional teams of 30+ professionals across software engineering, backend/frontend, AI, big data, and QA to deliver end-to-end transformation programs.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Spearheaded AI strategy for a SAR 100M e-commerce platform (ZODE_SA), automating 88 initiatives and reducing IT costs by over 70%.
Managed a SAR 200M transformation portfolio at UCA, including core systems, ERP, CRM, and AI-driven insurance automation.
Enabled 90M+ transactions and 3M+ visas through Hajj & Umrah digital modernization (Alamiah Group).
Delivered 20+ applications and automated 500+ processes in educational transformation (Khayrocom | NESMA Group).

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 2025:
🏅 AI Catalyst Award Winner – Global Enterprise Connect
📖 Most Influential Innovator in the Middle East – Conglomerate Magazine
🔍 Visionary Leader Redefining AI – Entrepreneurs’ Echo Magazine

𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
✔️ Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
✔️ Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
✔️ Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
✔️ Microsoft Specialist
✔️ Appian Certified Associate Developer
✔️ Appian Certified Senior Developer
✔️ Project Management Professional (PMP)

I’m passionate about building agile, data-driven, high-impact ecosystems that connect strategic vision with real-world tech execution. 

Head of Innovation & AI Development at ZODE (Al Juffali Group) (Saudi Arabia, April 2024 – Now)

• Played a pivotal role in shaping the AI and digital strategy for a SAR 100M e-commerce platform. Led the development of AI-driven capabilities such as image processing, content moderation, personalized recommendations, marketing automation, and intelligent search, directly contributing to business performance.
• In 2024, successfully led the automation of 88 initiatives focused on operational efficiency, reducing IT costs from SAR 27M to 7.5M by developing in-house capabilities, delivering both innovation and cost leadership.
• Directed engineering and operations teams in Saudi Arabia: Front-End, Back-End, ERP, QA and AI & Big Data, comprising over 14 IT engineers.
• Orchestrated end-to-end project management, ensuring precise planning, cost-effective execution, and optimized resource utilization.
• Managed all aspects of team dynamics, including talent development, task distribution, performance enhancement, and nurturing a collaborative and innovative culture.
• Oversaw comprehensive software development, spanning front-end (React, Vue, HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and back-end (Java, C#, Python), alongside mobile app development (IOS and Android), APIs, SOA, Microservices, and database administration (relational and NoSQL).
• Pioneered the integration of AI and machine learning to elevate customer experiences, streamline operational workflows, and propel business expansion.
• Engineered and deployed AI-powered solutions to automate tasks, improve decision-making accuracy, and personalize customer interactions.
• Applied sophisticated machine learning techniques for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and natural language processing.
• Administered cloud infrastructure, optimized resource allocation, and negotiated strategic partnerships with cloud providers.
• Leveraged Big Data, data analytics, and data visualization to unearth critical insights and guide data-driven decision-making.
• Implemented robust data governance practices to uphold data quality, security, and compliance standards.
• Utilized data mining and data warehousing methodologies to extract valuable information from extensive datasets.
• Refined and implemented DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, to accelerate software delivery and elevate quality.
• Ensured security throughout the development lifecycle, incorporating secure coding practices, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.
• Cultivated an Agile development culture, emphasizing collaboration, rapid iteration, and continuous improvement.

Manager, Software Development & Al in United Cooperative Assurance / UCA (Saudi Arabia, January 2020 – April 2024)

• Guided the company's digital transformation initiatives from a technical standpoint, overseeing a team dedicated to software development (Insurance Applications, Microsoft Dynamics ERP & CRM), product releases, and engineering tasks.
• Managed a transformation portfolio exceeding SAR 200M, which included core insurance system, ERP, CRM, unified portal development for retail, corporate, brokers, salesmen, workshops, hospitals, and enterprise-wide automation and AI strategies for all insurance lines of business: motor, medical, life, and general.
• Served as Technical Lead on various digital transformation projects, including E-Sign, Appian BPM, MuleSoft, ABBYY OCR, and UiPath RPA, demonstrating a hands-on approach to technical leadership.
• Applied advanced hyper-automation strategies to boost operational efficiency within the Saudi Arabian insurance sector.
• Devised and implemented cutting-edge software solutions utilizing AI technologies such as generative AI, machine learning, LLM, RAG, NLP, RPA, and OCR.
• Instrumental in interpreting and challenging business requirements, adding significant value to UCA's operational processes.
• Managed the integration of new services and applications via the integration layer, ensuring seamless connectivity.
• Collaborated with the PMO to convert development concepts into well-defined projects with clear business and technical specifications.
• Verified integrated applications and services met business needs and end-user expectations, resolving system issues through inter-departmental collaboration.
• Contributed to the development of catalog application source code, adhering to low-coding principles.
• Directed the testing phase, facilitating defect correction and managing application deployment and release.
• Implemented and configured intricate changes for specific applications identified as new projects.
• Partnered with the security team to deploy robust security measures, safeguarding information against cybersecurity threats.
• Developed and maintained mobile applications, internal and external portals, and other bespoke solutions for UCA's users.

Senior Software Developer at Al-Almiah Group (Saudi Arabia, February 2017 – December 2019) 

• Led the digital modernization of Umrah & Hajj systems in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, resulting in over 3 million visa issuances, 90 million transactions, and seamless integration for over 2,700 companies and agencies.
• Contributed to devising and executing the company's digital transformation strategy, aligning with business goals and industry trends.
• Functioned as a project manager for several software and integration projects, defining scope, objectives, and managing resources and budgets efficiently.
• Developed applications using ASP.NET (Web Forms, MVC, and CORE) with C# for backend logic.
• Utilized front-end technologies including JavaScript, jQuery, Ajax, CSS/CSS3, HTML/HTML5, Bootstrap, XML, and JSON.
• Interfaced with web services such as Web API, ASMX, and WCF.
• Administered Oracle and SQL Server databases, creating diagrams, entity models, and ensuring data integrity.
• Authored complex SQL and PL-SQL scripts, including procedures, functions, packages, views, and sequences.
• Engineered custom modules for XML conversion, encryption/decryption, image processing, XML comparison, and test case tools.
• Analyzed business requirements and developed new integrations (C# windows services) with the Ministry of Hajj using Java Message Service (JMS) and XML.
• Generated daily reports from database data (Excel, Crystal Report).
• Produced technical documentation for new modules and integrations.
• Conducted thorough testing of new modules for functionality and code quality.

Senior Software Developer at Khyrocom Association (Supported by Nesma Group) (Saudi Arabia, December 2014 – January 2017)

• Spearheaded the digital transformation of educational operations, automating over 500 processes and delivering more than 20 mission-critical applications and portals.
• Occasionally served as a project manager, coordinating small project teams and ensuring project completion within defined scope, budget, and timeline.
• Liaised with team members on project progress, development techniques, and procedural guidelines.
• Applied expertise in object-oriented programming (C#), databases (SQL), Model, View, Controller (MVC), and web applications (ASP.NET).
• Leveraged front-end technologies including JavaScript, jQuery, Ajax, CSS/CSS3, HTML/HTML5, Bootstrap, XML, and JSON.
• Engaged with web services such as Web API, ASMX, and WCF.
• Developed and maintained complex applications, participating in the analysis, design, and review of software components.
• Adhered to programming standards and independently managed projects, including technical reporting and documentation.
• Undertook requirement gathering and analysis, technical design, application development, software testing, solution implementation, and bug resolution.

Software Developer at Magdi Zidan Establishment (Saudi Arabia, January 2012 – December 2014)

• Responsible for gathering and analyzing project requirements, ensuring thorough understanding and alignment with stakeholder needs.
• Proficient in the full software development lifecycle, from conception to deployment and ongoing maintenance.
• Expertise in developing and maintaining .NET-based Windows and web applications, ensuring high performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Developed C# desktop and web applications using Visual Studio 2008, leveraging the power of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for efficient data management.
• Skilled in bug identification, troubleshooting, and resolution, ensuring software quality and minimizing downtime.
• Conducted rigorous testing procedures to validate application functionality, performance, and security.
• Continuously updated and enhanced existing applications to incorporate new features, optimize performance, and adapt to evolving business requirements.
• Provided comprehensive support for both new system implementations and ongoing maintenance of existing projects, ensuring seamless operation and user satisfaction.
• Proficient in a wide range of programming languages and technologies, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and ASP.NET, utilizing C# for efficient and robust application development.
• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including designers, QA testers, and project managers, to deliver high-quality solutions on time and within budget.
• Stayed current with industry trends and best practices, continuously expanding knowledge and skill set to deliver cutting-edge solutions and maintain competitive advantage.

• Professional Doctorate in Digital Transformation & AI
  European International University, Paris, France
  Grade: High Distinction (86%, ECTS-Graded) — 2025
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  University of the People, Pasadena, CA, USA
  GPA: 3.96 / 4.00 — 2023
• Bachelor of Software Engineering
  King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  GPA: 4.79 / 5.00 — 2014