Chief Information Officer

Sanlam; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in Cape Town is seeking a Chief Information Officer to lead digital transformation and optimize technology for Corporate Functions. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the Financial Services industry and a relevant Bachelor's and MBA. Responsibilities include strategic technology leadership, cloud migration, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in the Financial Services industry is required.
• Proven experience in digital transformation, cloud adoption, and enterprise architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic technology partner to Corporate Functions.
• Develop and execute a transformation roadmap aligned with Corporate Functions priorities.
• Lead the Corporate Functions cloud migration and technology modernization.

Skills

IT Strategic Planning

Information system delivery service

Client relationship management

Education

Relevant Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering

Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

Job description

Overview

Who are we?
Sanlam Group Technology is responsible for the provision of a digitally enabled technology service as a group COE, drive business and transformation and provide group-wide digital and data architecture. We operate the various technology platforms and shared services, ensure Cyber and Information Security resilience, and act as technology governance and risk orchestrator for technology across Sanlam.

Strategic Opportunity

Sanlam Group is seeking a forward-thinking, influential Chief Information Officer (CIO) for its Corporate Functions – a leader who partners strategically with business executives to deliver transformative technology capabilities. This role is central to elevating the digital maturity of Corporate Functions by optimizing the technology portfolio, reducing risk and technical debt, and embedding a culture of proactive leadership, operational excellence, and trust.

Purpose of the Role

As CIO for Corporate Functions, you will act as a strategic technology partner to leaders across core enabling areas including Finance, Human Capital, Risk, Compliance, Strategy, Company Secretariat, and Corporate Social Investment. You will shape and execute an integrated technology strategy that supports long-term business objectives, modernizes platforms, simplifies architecture, and strengthens operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Transformation: Serve as a strategic technology partner to Corporate Functions, shifting IT from a transactional, order-taking service to an embedded, strategic and value-generating capability.
• Strategic Portfolio Management: Develop and execute a transformation roadmap aligned with Corporate Functions priorities and the broader Sanlam Group Technology strategy and OKRs.
• Portfolio Alignment: Lead strategic portfolio management to ensure that IT investments solve real business problems, deliver measurable outcomes, and align with enterprise objectives.

Innovation & Digital Enablement

• Champion the adoption of AI, automation, and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency, employee experience and service delivery.
• Launch digital enablement initiatives that build digital literacy, support change management, and equip functional teams with modern tools and capabilities.
• Co-create innovative technology solutions in partnership with business leaders to eliminate inefficiencies and unlock new opportunities and insights.
• Evaluate and approve IT investments, budgets, and vendor engagements, ensuring cost-effective, value-driven decision-making.
• Lead the establishment of data product and insights capability to deliver commercial value and new insights

Cloud & Technology Architecture Oversight

• Shape and lead the Corporate Functions cloud migration and technology modernization portfolio in line with enterprise architecture and risk standards.
• Own the application landscape, including architecture, lifecycle management, system maintenance, and decommissioning of legacy systems.
• Drive harmonization, simplification, and consolidation of the technology stack to reduce complexity and lower the total cost of ownership.

Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance

• Oversee IT risk management across Corporate Functions, including cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, third-party risk, and business continuity.
• Ensure audit readiness and regulatory alignment across all technology domains, partnering closely with internal risk and compliance functions.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with Sanlam Group Technology, Corporate Function leaders, and external vendors to ensure seamless, aligned delivery.
• Establish transparent metrics, reporting, and accountability mechanisms to drive performance across all stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 and a relevant Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering
• A Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or a related advanced qualification is recommended
• Experience in the Financial Services industry is required
• Proven experience in digital transformation, cloud adoption, enterprise architecture, and stakeholder engagement in a complex enterprise environment

Key Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to translate business needs into forward-thinking technology strategy and execution.
• Innovative & Tech-Savvy: Passion for emerging technologies and solving complex business challenges.
• Human-Centered Leadership: Builds trust, drives engagement, and fosters inclusive collaboration.
• Agile & Resilient: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and leading through change.
• Effective Communicator: Adept at influencing and aligning both executive and operational stakeholders, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Business Acumen: Good understanding of the organisation’s industry, market, and competitive landscape is critical

Knowledge and Skills

• IT Strategic Planning and implementation
• Information system delivery service
• Project Oversight
• Service Level Agreement Management
• Client relationship management

Personal Attributes

• Strategic mindset – Contributing strategically
• Tech savvy – Contributing strategically
• Builds networks – Contributing strategically
• Balances stakeholders – Contributing strategically

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

• Being resilient – Contributing strategically
• Collaborates – Contributing strategically
• Cultivates innovation – Contributing strategically
• Customer focus – Contributing strategically
• Drives results – Contributing strategically

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group’s Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.

C1IO