Director of IT Infrastructure

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development allowances

Stock options

Technology resources access

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, is seeking a Director of IT Infrastructure to lead the technology backbone, overseeing networks, servers, storage, cloud services, and data centers.

This executive role requires deep technical and strategic leadership to ensure security, reliability, and scalability while enabling digital transformation and growth. You will build high-performing teams, manage vendor relationships, and drive governance, policies, and disaster recovery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s degree or relevant certifications (ITIL, PMP, Cloud Architect) advantageous.
• 12+ years IT infrastructure experience, 7+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven expertise in network, servers, storage, cloud, and data center operations.
• Strong cybersecurity principles for infrastructure protection.
• Experience in ITIL and agile methodologies.
• Regulatory compliance knowledge in financial services.
• Strategic vendor management and budget oversight.

Responsibilities

• Craft and execute a comprehensive IT infrastructure strategy.
• Oversee design, deployment, and management of all IT components (networks, servers, storage, cloud).
• Ensure reliability, security, performance; implement DR/BC plans.
• Manage budgets, forecast expenditures, and optimize costs while meeting SLAs.
• Lead and mentor infrastructure teams; foster excellence and collaboration.
• Develop and enforce policies, standards, and procedures.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts.
• Drive cybersecurity initiatives within infrastructure.
• Evaluate new technologies to enhance capabilities.
• Ensure operational resilience through disaster recovery planning.

Skills

IT leadership

Network architecture

Server administration

Storage solutions

Cloud computing (AWS, Azure)

Cybersecurity

Budget management

Vendor management

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Master's degree or certs (ITIL, PMP, Cloud Architect)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent national financial institution, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Director of IT Infrastructure to lead their technology backbone operations. This executive role, based in Pretoria, Gauteng , is responsible for the strategic planning, design, implementation, and ongoing management of all IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, storage, cloud services, and data centers. The Director will ensure the stability, security, scalability, and performance of the IT environment, supporting the organization's critical business operations and future growth. This is a crucial leadership position requiring deep technical expertise, strong vendor management skills, and a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption. The ideal candidate will drive innovation in IT infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and support digital transformation initiatives. We are looking for a leader who can build and manage high-performing infrastructure teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive IT infrastructure strategy aligned with the organization's business objectives and digital transformation goals.
• Oversee the design, deployment, and management of all IT infrastructure components, including network, servers, storage, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and data centers.
• Ensure the reliability, availability, performance, and security of the IT infrastructure through robust monitoring, maintenance, and disaster recovery planning.
• Manage IT infrastructure budgets, forecast expenditures, and optimize costs while ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Lead and mentor a team of IT infrastructure professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and enforce IT infrastructure policies, standards, and procedures.
• Manage relationships with key technology vendors, service providers, and partners, negotiating contracts and ensuring optimal service delivery.
• Oversee cybersecurity initiatives related to infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance infrastructure capabilities and support business innovation.
• Develop and manage disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure operational resilience.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• A Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, Cloud Architect) are highly advantageous.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in IT infrastructure management, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role overseeing complex environments.
• Proven expertise in network architecture, server administration, storage solutions, cloud computing (AWS, Azure), and data center operations.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices for infrastructure protection.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large IT infrastructure budgets and vendor relationships.
• Excellent leadership, team management, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience with ITIL framework and agile methodologies.
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in the financial services industry.
• Strategic vision for leveraging technology to drive business value.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with executive bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous retirement savings plan and pension.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
• Allowance for professional development and certifications.
• A role at the forefront of technological innovation in Pretoria, Gauteng .
• Flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Employee stock options or purchase plans.
• Access to leading-edge technology resources.