Chief Technology and Information Officer

Smart4Energy; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Johannesburg seeks a visionary leader in digital transformation and technology strategy. The successful candidate will have over 15 years of experience in IT, with a proven track record in driving innovation across sectors like energy and telecommunications. This role involves championing enterprise-wide digital transformation, ensuring cybersecurity, and improving business operations through advanced technologies. Applicants must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field and demonstrate strong leadership in managing complex IT architectures.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in IT and Information Systems, with 8+ years in senior management roles.
• Experience in IoT and digital transformation environments.
• Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Champion digital transformation through AI initiatives.
• Oversee secure IT operations and compliance.
• Develop multi-year technology roadmaps aligned with business goals.
• Lead high-performance teams to deliver technology innovation.

Skills

Digital Transformation

Cybersecurity

AI and Automation

Infrastructure Optimization

Vendor Management

Education

Master’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Routing

Switching

VPN

LAN/WAN

Network Security

Intrusion Detection

Anti-Virus

Job description

Our client based in Johannesburg is seeing a visionary leader in digital transformation and technology strategy, with over 15 years of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and scalable IT solutions across complex, data-driven environments. Proven expertise in managing enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI-led transformation within sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and IoT.

Core Strategic Objectives

• Digital & AI-Driven Innovation: Championing enterprise-wide digital transformation through the strategic design and execution of AI initiatives that enhance decision-making, automation, and long-term business growth.
• Enterprise Architecture & Infrastructure Leadership: Defining and managing enterprise-wide IT architecture to align systems, applications, and network infrastructure with business objectives—ensuring performance, scalability, and security.
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management: Overseeing secure and resilient IT operations, implementing robust risk management frameworks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• IT Governance & Strategic Planning: Spearheading the long-term planning of IT systems, infrastructure, and capabilities—including budgeting, acquisition, and modernization of critical systems and platforms.
• Executive Collaboration & Business Enablement: Partnering with executive leadership and business units to leverage technology for operational efficiency and financial performance. Leading the integration of emerging technologies to future-proof the organization.

Key Responsibilities & Leadership Achievements

• Designed and implemented AI strategies that enhanced data utilization, streamlined operations, and improved enterprise agility.
• Defined and maintained a robust and scalable IT architecture to support seamless business operations across departments and locations.
• Directed the transformation of network infrastructure, improving connectivity, uptime, and system performance while ensuring cybersecurity best practices.
• Developed multi-year technology roadmaps and successfully aligned them with strategic business goals, enabling digital-first operations.
• Championed IT modernization initiatives that introduced automation, mobility, and cloud solutions to enhance productivity.
• Built and led high-performance teams focused on delivering technology innovation, cybersecurity compliance, and IT service excellence.
• Created and managed IT budgets, procurement strategies, and vendor relationships to optimize investment and operational efficiency.
• Developed and enforced IT policies, governance frameworks, and cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive data and critical systems.
• Implemented enterprise-wide change management strategies to support technology rollouts and digital adoption.
• Successfully responded to real-time operational challenges with agile solutions that minimized disruption and ensured continuity.

Technical & Strategic Expertise

• Technologies: Routing, Switching, VPN, LAN/WAN, Network Security, Intrusion Detection, Anti-Virus
• Core Competencies: Enterprise IT Strategy, AI and Automation, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Cloud Solutions, Infrastructure Optimization, Data Governance, Risk & Compliance
• Leadership Strengths: Strategic Visioning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Budget & Vendor Management, Regulatory Compliance, Business Continuity Planning

Professional Credentials

• Experience: 15+ years in IT and Information Systems, with 8+ years in senior management roles; track record of success in IoT and digital transformation environments.
• Industry Focus: Energy (preferred), Telecommunications, IoT, Edge Computing
• Education: Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field