CTO/CTIO — Fintech Platform, AI Governance & Security

Liquid Thought Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Liquid Thought Group in Cape Town seeks a strategic CTO/CTIO to define and own the technology, data and AI strategy, including governance and regulatory compliance. You will lead AI deployment, ensure robust cybersecurity, and drive scalable fintech platform architecture while partnering with product, operations and commercial teams.

The role requires a degree in a tech field and 15+ years of tech experience, including executive leadership, with proven ability to scale platforms and teams in a

Qualifications

• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or a related field.
• 15+ years of technology experience, including at least 5 years at executive level.
• Experience rolling out AI within a business and managing governance, security, data privacy and ethical use.
• Experience owning cybersecurity in a regulated environment, ideally fintech, banking or payments.
• Security certifications such as CISSP or CISM are advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms, software architecture and API integrations.
• Understanding of data governance, risk management and regulatory requirements.
• Track record of scaling platforms and engineering teams in growth businesses.

Responsibilities

• Defining and owning the technology, information, data and AI strategy in line with business objectives.
• Leading the rollout of AI across the business from use case identification to implementation and scaling.
• Establishing AI governance including policies, data privacy and regulatory compliance.
• Taking full accountability for cybersecurity across the business with strategy, policies and security operations.
• Protecting platforms and customer data against cyber threats and emerging AI risks.
• Leading incident response, threat monitoring and vulnerability management.
• Ensuring compliance with information security, data protection and POPIA and financial regulations.
• Overseeing architecture, development and scaling of secure fintech platforms.
• Managing engineering, infrastructure, data and IT functions.
• Collaborating with product, operations and commercial teams to deliver features and experiences.
• Managing technology budgets, risk and SLAs, reporting on cyber and AI risk to execs and board.
• Building and leading high performing engineering, technology and security teams.

Skills

Executive leadership

AI governance

Cybersecurity leadership

Cloud architecture

Data governance

Regulatory compliance

API integrations

Strategic thinking

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

Liquid Thought Group in Cape Town seeks a strategic CTO/CTIO to define and own the technology, data and AI strategy, including governance and regulatory compliance. You will lead AI deployment, ensure robust cybersecurity, and drive scalable fintech platform architecture while partnering with product, operations and commercial teams.

The role requires a degree in a tech field and 15+ years of tech experience, including executive leadership, with proven ability to scale platforms and teams in a