Director of Digital Transformation & Innovation

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus plan

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Remote work

Learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a visionary Director of Digital Transformation & Innovation to lead a remote-first digital strategy for a major financial services client. This executive role demands a track record of delivering measurable outcomes, mastery of AI, ML, blockchain, cloud, and data analytics, and strong stakeholder leadership across distributed teams.

You will drive transformation programs, manage budgets, and partner with technology, product, and business units to achieve customer experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant field.
• 10–12 years of digital strategy, transformation, and innovation experience.
• Proven track record leading large-scale digital programs.
• Deep understanding of AI, ML, blockchain, cloud and data analytics.
• Experience with agile methods, product management, and user-centric design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and champion a comprehensive digital transformation strategy.
• Identify and prioritize emerging technologies for financial services.
• Lead cross-functional teams in designing digital products and platforms.
• Drive culture change and foster a culture of innovation.
• Define and track KPIs to measure impact of digital initiatives.
• Manage transformation budgets and ROI.
• Collaborate with tech, product, and business units for seamless adoption.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes.
• Build relationships with tech partners, startups, and hubs.
• Communicate the digital vision to executives in a remote setting.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Communication

Remote work

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Analytical abilities

Budget management

Stakeholder influence

Agile methodologies

Product management

User-centric design

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Digital Innovation

Tools

AI

Machine Learning

Blockchain

Cloud computing

Data analytics

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a forward-thinking financial services organization that is aggressively embracing digital transformation and innovation to redefine its market position. We are seeking a visionary and highly experienced Director of Digital Transformation & Innovation to lead this critical strategic initiative. This is a fully remote, leadership position requiring a deep understanding of emerging technologies, digital strategy, change management, and agile methodologies. You will be responsible for charting the course for our client's digital future, identifying disruptive opportunities, and driving the implementation of cutting-edge solutions that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. This role demands a leader who can inspire a cultural shift towards digital-first thinking and execute complex transformation programs across a distributed workforce. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to create significant business impact and thrive in a remote-first environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and champion a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aligned with the organization's long-term goals.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize emerging technologies and innovative solutions relevant to the financial services industry.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the design and implementation of digital products, platforms, and processes.
• Drive cultural change and foster a mindset of innovation and continuous learning across the organization.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of digital initiatives.
• Manage digital transformation budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and measurable ROI.
• Collaborate closely with technology, product, and business units to ensure seamless integration and adoption of digital solutions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes impacting digital financial services.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with technology partners, startups, and innovation hubs.
• Effectively communicate the digital vision and progress to executive leadership and stakeholders in a remote setting.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Digital Innovation, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10-12 years of experience in digital strategy, transformation, and innovation, preferably within the financial services sector.
• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale digital transformation programs and delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Deep understanding of technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, cloud computing, and data analytics.
• Experience with agile methodologies, product management, and user-centric design principles.
• Exceptional leadership, change management, and communication skills, particularly in a remote work context.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in managing significant budgets and complex project portfolios.
• Ability to inspire and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Experience working in a fully remote or distributed team environment is essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive executive salary with performance-based bonuses, comprehensive health insurance, and a generous retirement savings plan. This role is fully remote, offering unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. You will have access to continuous learning opportunities, including conferences and certifications, and the chance to shape the digital future of a major financial institution. Join a dynamic and collaborative team that values innovation and impact, working from anywhere in the world.