Head : Business Operations & Products

Sanlam Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organization is seeking a Head of Business Operations & Products to lead IT operations and product delivery strategies. This senior role focuses on cloud readiness, operational excellence, and strategic execution within a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates will possess a strong technical background along with over 10 years of experience in IT operations, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in driving process optimization and innovation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in IT operations or platform ownership.
• Strong technical background with ability to engage in architectural discussions.
• Experience in managing core administration systems and workflow applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform transformation and cloud readiness across operational systems.
• Oversee operations of core administration platforms and ensure system stability.
• Drive end-to-end process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Process Optimisation

Cloud Expertise

Analytics

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems or related discipline

Postgraduate qualification in IT management or MBA

Tools

UiPath

Automation Anywhere

Job description

Job title : Head : Business Operations & Products

Job Location : Gauteng, Johannesburg Deadline : August 16, 2025 Quick Recommended Links

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What will you do?

• The Head : IT Business Operations and Products is accountable for leading the platforms, systems, and operations that power Sanlam Corporate’s product and service delivery.
• This role ensures operational excellence through the seamless integration of platform management, intelligent automation, workflow optimisation, and process engineering.
• The role is central to driving platform evolution, including cloud adoption and modernisation of legacy environments.
• It also requires strong expertise in process optimisation, enabling scalable, simplified, and data-driven operations that improve efficiency, client experience, and business performance. This role can be based in CPT or JHB.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Platform and Workflow Management

• Oversee the operations of core administration platforms (e.g., MIP, Fundamental), workflow engines) and supporting technologies
• Ensure system stability, performance, and availability, with robust production support and incident management
• Standardise and centralise workflows, ensuring effective configuration and governance across platforms

Cloud Readiness and Platform Modernisation

• Lead platform transformation and cloud readiness across operational systems, aligning to Sanlam’s enterprise cloud strategy
• Drive migration of workloads to scalable cloud-based environments, ensuring performance, resilience, and cost-effectiveness
• Modernise legacy infrastructure and ensure operational processes are optimised for cloud-native delivery

Process Optimisation and Automation

• Lead end-to-end process improvement initiatives across operational areas, embedding continuous improvement practices (e.g., Lean, Kaizen)
• Identify and implement automation and intelligent workflow opportunities using tools like UIPath and Automation Anywhere
• Simplify and streamline operational processes to reduce errors, improve turnaround times, and eliminate non-value-adding activities

Strategic Execution and Transformation

• Execute the multi-year roadmap for business operations and product platforms, including platform consolidation, automation scaling, and operational innovation
• Align with Sanlam Corporate’s strategic objectives around digital transformation, client-centricity, and scalable growth.
• Embed agile delivery models and DevOps practices to improve execution speed and reliability

Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Implement and maintain IT and operational governance frameworks (e.g., ITIL, COBIT, SAFe)
• Oversee incident management, risk mitigation, and compliance across operations, ensuring regulatory alignment and audit readiness
• Maintain continuity and disaster recovery capabilities across platforms

Leadership and People Development

• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team, including platform owners, engineers, business analysts, and automation specialists
• Promote a strong culture of collaboration, accountability, psychological safety, and personal growth
• Drive capability development and succession planning, focusing on T-shaped skills and strategic acumen

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

• Partner with business leaders to ensure operational platforms and processes support product and client needs
• Manage vendor relationships and service-level performance to deliver consistent value, innovation, and alignment to cloud and automation strategies
• Facilitate integrated planning across BAU, projects, and platform enhancements
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic guidance and insights based on data analysis

Technology Evaluation and Innovation

• Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies
• Evaluate and recommend new tools, platforms, and solutions to enhance performance, availability and drive innovation
• Drive the adoption of advanced analytics techniques, such as machine learning and predictive modeling, to gain a competitive advantage
• Identify and implement technology improvements and automation opportunities
• Collaborate with business units to support digital transformation initiatives
• Develop and manage the IT operations budget
• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and relationships
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive operational efficiency

Qualifications and Experience

• Matric
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
• Postgraduate qualification in IT management, digital transformation, or MBA (advantageous)
• ITIL 4 Foundation – IT service management
• COBIT 2019 Foundation – IT governance
• Azure or AWS Solutions Architect – Cloud expertise
• SAFe Agilist or SAFe DevOps Practitioner for Agile and DevOps delivery
• Lean Six Sigma Green / Black Belt – For process improvement and optimisation
• UiPath / Automation Anywhere Developer – advantageous
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or PMI-ACP – for agile project execution
• TOGAF Certified – for platform and architecture modernisation
• Strong technical background is a must, with the ability to engage deeply in architectural, operational, and delivery discussions
• 10+ years in IT operations or platform ownership, with deep expertise in managing and optimising core administration systems and workflow applications across complex operational environments
• 10+ years in analytics and business intelligence, with a track record of delivering data-driven outcomes that support business goals
• 5+ years in senior leadership, with proven ability to lead high-performing, cross-functional teams and drive a performance culture
• 3–5 years hands-on experience in cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or hybrid), including workload migration and optimisation
• 3–5 years working within Agile, SAFe, and Scrum methodologies, promoting iterative, collaborative delivery
• Strong experience in process optimisation, operational transformation, and automation at scale (e.g., UiPath, Automation Anywhere)
• Solid understanding of IT and platform architecture, including integration, scalability, and legacy modernisation

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep understanding of business operations within financial services or insurance
• Large group facilitation and coordinating the bigger picture
• Effective written and verbal communication skills are needed, as well as experience in communicating, persuading, and influencing partners
• Change leadership, continuous improvement and process management
• Exceptional analytical, conceptual, problem-solving and process engineering skills
• Technical background and willingness to work agnostically
• Ability to align with Company / Business strategy
• Strategic planning and systems thinking
• Core system operations and platform stability (e.g., MIP, Fundamental)
• Workflow design and management (e.g. BPM tools)
• Automation tools and frameworks (UIPath, Automation Anywhere, Druid AI)
• DevOps practices, CI / CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks
• Cloud platforms (Azure / AWS), infrastructure services, and migration strategies
• Data operations and integration awareness (ETL, Datalake / DWH frameworks)
• Incident and change management (ITIL, COBIT)
• Collaborative and open-minded
• Ability to work independently and manage time and tasks according to priority provided
• Have integrity and delivery on committed tasks and initiatives
• Good communicator, listener, and presenter of ideas verbally and visually
• Willing to cross-skill across roles to prioritise business delivery
• Inquisitive of IT trends and self-motivated to continuous learning and personal development
• Flexible and adaptable - rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
• Courage - stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
• Manages complexity - demonstrated ability and proven record to make complex decisions
• Ensures accountability - holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Plans and aligns - planning and prioritising work to meet commitments aligned to organisational goals

Core Competencies

• Cultivates Innovation by creating new and better ways for the organisation to be successful
• Client Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions
• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Resilience - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations