Head Of It

findojobs-za; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT company in South Africa seeks an experienced IT Manager to drive strategic planning and implementation for technology. You will oversee IT infrastructure and budget management, ensuring high performance and security. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of IT experience, with at least 5 in a senior role. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for this position. This role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive IT experience, including 5 years in senior management.
• Experience in a retail or similar industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain IT strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, ensuring performance and security.
• Manage budgets and vendor relationships.
• Lead data management solutions and team development.

Skills

Strategic planning

Project management

IT infrastructure knowledge

Data management

Cybersecurity expertise

Vendor management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Computer Science

Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, CISSP)

Job description

Key Responsibilities

IT Strategy & Planning: Develop, implement, and maintain a forward-looking IT strategy aligned with business goals.

Identify and recommend new technologies and tools that enhance business performance and competitive advantage.

Manage IT budgets, ensuring cost-effective use of resources while delivering high-quality services.

Infrastructure Management: Oversee the maintenance, performance, and security of IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, workstations, and data centers.

Ensure system reliability, uptime, and disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime and protect data integrity.

Data Management & Analytics: Lead the development and maintenance of data management and data warehousing solutions. Enable data-driven decision-making by ensuring accessible, high-quality data. Work closely with business teams to identify data needs and implement solutions for data analytics.

System Integration & Implementation: Oversee the evaluation, selection, and implementation of software systems, including ERP, CRM, and warehouse management. Lead integration projects to ensure smooth transitions and minimized disruption to business operations. Ensure proper testing, training, and user adoption for all new system implementations.

Cybersecurity & Compliance: Develop and implement a robust cybersecurity framework to safeguard company data and IT assets. Maintain compliance with relevant industry regulations, such as POPIA, or other applicable data protection laws. Conduct regular security assessments and address any vulnerabilities proactively.

IT Team Leadership & Development: Manage, mentor, and develop the IT team, ensuring they have the necessary skills to meet evolving business needs. Foster a collaborative team environment focused on continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence. Define roles and responsibilities within the IT team and set performance goals and KPIs.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication: Act as a liaison between the IT department and other departments, aligning technology initiatives with business objectives. Communicate effectively with executive leadership, providing updates on IT strategy, performance, and risk management. Support the company's strategic objectives by leveraging technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Vendor & Partner Management: Negotiate and manage relationships with external vendors and technology partners. Evaluate vendor performance and ensure service-level agreements (SLAs) are met. Continuously review vendor services and solutions for quality, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for the companys needs. Perform detailed cost-benefit analyses for necessary upgrades and investments, focusing on functionality, reliability, and scalability.

Performance and development of the IT team.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• IT infrastructure uptime percentage.
• Project completion on time and within budget.
• Data accessibility, integrity, and security.
• Compliance with cybersecurity and data protection regulations.
• IT budget adherence and cost efficiency.
• Employee satisfaction and support request resolution time.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

A Masters degree or relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, CISSP) are advantageous.

Experience

10 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 5 years in a senior IT management role, preferably in a retail or similar industry.

Skills

Strong strategic planning and project management skills.

Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, systems integration, data management, and cybersecurity.

Proven leadership and team development skills.

Ability to communicate complex IT concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Vendor management and negotiation skills.

Work Environment

Primarily office-based with occasional travel to various branches as required.