It Risk Officer

Absa Group; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank in South Africa seeks a Risk Officer for Technology Infrastructure to manage and mitigate risks associated with technology systems. This role involves strategic leadership in risk management, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and fostering collaboration across IT teams. Candidates should possess a strong background in IT risk management and relevant qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in risk management or consulting in a technology environment.
• Proven expertise in managing risks in large-scale IT environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with technology infrastructure.
• Define and implement a comprehensive risk management framework.
• Oversee incident response and disaster recovery efforts.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Technical acumen in IT Infrastructure

Stakeholder management

Crisis management

Regulatory knowledge

Innovative problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Risk Management

Master's degree or certifications (CISSP, CRISC, CISM, ITIL)

Job description

Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together…one story at a time. With over years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

To provide specialist advice and support in the area of specialization, enabling the effective implementation of risk frameworks.

Job Description

The Risk Officer for Technology Infrastructure is responsible for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring risks associated with technology infrastructure systems, services, and products.

This role is pivotal in ensuring the resilience, security, and compliance of the organization's technology platforms, aligning risk management practices with organizational and regulatory standards while enabling innovative and scalable operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Define and implement a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to infrastructure and cloud environments.
• Align risk strategies with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements.
• Review and evaluate compliance, technology policies, procedures, and tools to provide insights on reducing technology risk.
• Collaborate with infrastructure and architecture teams (Networks, Compute, Cloud, DBaaS, Mainframe, End User) to manage the specific infrastructure risk posture.
• Ensure governance processes adhere to standards (e.g., ISO, GDPR), enhancing compliance and quality assurance.

Risk Management and Mitigation

• Ensure effective management and monitoring of risk.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across technology platforms, including operational, cybersecurity, and compliance risks.
• Oversee incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity efforts to ensure resilience and rapid resolution.
• Monitor vulnerabilities such as system downtime, data breaches, and third-party dependencies, implementing controls to minimize impact.
• Coach users in risk identification and assessment.
• Provide accurate risk reports to stakeholders.
• Review internal and external technology and security risks to inform the 2nd line of defense.

Change and Execution Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to execute strategic risk and audit initiatives.
• Manage change processes across infrastructure services for seamless implementation.
• Drive continuous improvement with iterative approaches to deliver value and minimize risks.

Collaboration and Communication

• Partner with IT, cybersecurity, and architecture teams to embed risk management into planning and execution.
• Communicate clearly with stakeholders, tailoring messages for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Serve as primary liaison for risk discussions with vendors and external partners.
• Maintain datasets on strategic platforms, adhering to data governance policies, and guiding business intelligence teams to ensure data trustworthiness.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in risk management or consulting, preferably in a technology environment.
• Knowledge of Technology Infrastructure preferred.
• Proven expertise in managing risks in large-scale IT environments, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Risk Management, or related fields.
• Master's degree or certifications such as CISSP, CRISC, CISM, or ITIL are highly preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and visionary leadership
• Technical and risk acumen in IT Infrastructure
• Stakeholder management and collaboration
• Crisis and incident management expertise
• Regulatory and compliance knowledge
• Innovative problem-solving
• Planning and organizing skills to develop clear, efficient approaches to issues and risks.

Education

Bachelor's Degrees and Advanced Diplomas in Business, Commerce, and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of , preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups to promote demographic diversity. Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to fill the position as advertised.