Chief Innovation Strategist

Bebeestrategist; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy in South Africa is seeking a Senior Technology Architect to oversee the development and implementation of innovative technology strategies. You will lead a dedicated team of architects and engineers, ensuring seamless integration of advanced AI-driven solutions and compliance with industry standards. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in cloud deployments, technology governance, and vendor management. This role offers a dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

• Strong background in strategic technology oversight and implementation.
• Proven experience in cloud, hybrid IT, and on-premise environments.
• In-depth knowledge of compliance standards such as ISO and GDPR.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development and implementation of technology strategies.
• Lead a team in designing and deploying solutions.
• Ensure compliance with ITIL and other standards.
• Manage vendor relationships and architectural integrity.

Skills

Technology strategy development

Cloud solution architecture

AI-driven solutions implementation

DevOps practices

Multi-cloud deployment

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar

ITIL certification

Tools

Science Logic SL1

Service Now

Open Telemetry

Prometheus

Job description

Job Overview

This role oversees the development and implementation of technology strategies to drive business growth and innovation.

As a senior leader, you will lead a team of architects and engineers in designing, building, and deploying cutting‑edge solutions that meet evolving customer needs.

Key Responsibilities : Strategic Technology Roadmapping :

Develop comprehensive technology roadmaps and solution blueprints that align with the company's overall vision and goals.

Implement strategic architecture principles and best practices to ensure operational consistency and scalability.

Manage governance forums to oversee solution architecture decisions and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.

Solution Design and Implementation :

Design and develop detailed enterprise solution architectures for cloud, hybrid IT, and on‑premise environments based on defined guidelines.

Integrate and optimize technology platforms such as Science Logic SL1, Service Now, Pager Duty, and similar AIOps tools.

Implement advanced observability and monitoring frameworks leveraging Open Telemetry, Prometheus, and other AI‑driven solutions.

Service Architecture & Design Alignment :

Align solution implementations closely with IT Service Management (ITSM) and operational service delivery frameworks.

Enforce Service Integration and Management (SIAM) standards to ensure multi‑vendor service architectures are cohesive and operationally efficient.

Develop detailed service blueprints guiding standardized implementation practices across all service projects.

Tech Governance and Compliance :

Oversee technology selection and vendor evaluations consistent with strategic architecture frameworks set by the CTO.

Ensure solution implementations strictly comply with ITIL, ISO , ISO , and other relevant standards.

Guide transition processes to integrate new solutions seamlessly into operational support frameworks.

Solutions Delivery and Oversight :

Ensure timely, within‑budget delivery of customer‑specific IT and AIOps solutions aligned with architectural standards.

Establish and enforce robust Dev Ops, Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI / CD), and automation practices.

Manage complex multi‑cloud deployments ensuring high availability, fault tolerance, and robust disaster recovery strategies.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement :

Drive the adoption of AI‑driven automation, advanced analytics, and next‑generation observability within operational services.

Evaluate emerging technologies for practical application in service implementations, ensuring agility and resilience.

Facilitate AIOps maturity advancement through structured adoption phases.

Risk and Compliance Management :

Ensure implemented solutions adhere to compliance standards including ISO , NIST, GDPR, POPIA, and data sovereignty requirements.

Implement comprehensive security measures based on Zero Trust models and disaster recovery best practices.

Proactively identify and manage risks associated with solution architectures, infrastructure, cloud deployments, and vendor dependencies.

Vendor and Partner Management :

Manage operational relationships with OEM and technology partners, ensuring solutions align with contractual commitments and SLAs.

Enforce strict architecture integration requirements and performance standards across all vendor‑provided solutions.

Negotiate and manage vendor agreements in alignment with defined solution architectures and operational deliverables.

Performance Measurement and Reporting :

Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) specific to solution performance, delivery quality, and operational adoption.

Provide regular performance reports and architecture health dashboards to senior leadership and governance forums.

Utilize operational analytics to enhance solution performance, optimize costs, and elevate service quality.