Based on an enterprise Azure and Microsoft 365 background, I believe the highest long-term value path is Cloud Architecture with a security and identity focus.

Large organizations in the Gulf are prioritizing cloud adoption while simultaneously tightening governance, data residency, and identity control. This creates sustained demand for architects who can design cloud landing zones, tenant governance, identity-first security models, and compliant reference architectures. These responsibilities sit at the architecture and decision-making layer, not day-to-day administration.

IAM and security are strongest when positioned as part of cloud architecture rather than standalone operations. Identity increasingly functions as the control plane for cloud and SaaS, making IAM architecture, Zero Trust design, and privileged access strategy durable, board-level concerns in regulated environments.

DevOps remains in demand, but unless explicitly positioned around platform architecture and operating models, it often stays execution-focused. For someone seeking influence over standards, investment decisions, and enterprise patterns, Cloud Architecture provides broader authority and longevity.

Recommendation: pursue roles such as Cloud Solution Architect, Enterprise Cloud Architect, or Security Architect (Cloud), with IAM and governance as a specialization. This aligns with your background, supports progression into strategic roles, and matches demand patterns in large Gulf organizations.