Lead IT Operations

Saica; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accounting organization in Johannesburg is seeking a Lead IT Operations professional to oversee daily IT operations and manage a high-performing team. This role plays a crucial part in driving digital transformation initiatives and requires a minimum of 8 years in IT operations and a strong background in change management. The ideal candidate will have excellent leadership and analytical skills, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years in IT operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure, databases, and enterprise systems.
• Demonstrated experience in IT service delivery and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability of all IT systems.
• Lead and manage a team of IT professionals, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Implement and monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for IT support services.
• Develop and manage the IT operations budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.

Skills

IT Infrastructure Management

Operations Management

Change Management

Strategic Thinking

Leadership Abilities

Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication Excellence

Project Management Expertise

Education

Bachelors degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field

Masters degree in IT Management, Business Administration, or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

D365

ITIL Foundation certification

Job description

Are you determined to go further as a Difference Maker? SAICA has a perfect opportunity to take you further on your journey of being a Difference Maker.

SAICA has embarked on an exciting transformation to become an insights-driven, technology-enabled, and AI-powered organisation. As part of our journey, we are streamlining processes, enhancing our digital capabilities, and strengthening our focus on sustainability in the accounting profession. This transformation presents an opportunity for you to grow and contribute to SAICAs vision in a redefined, future-fit role. We are looking for enthusiastic, skilled professionals who are eager to innovate, embrace data-driven decision-making, and help shape the future of the profession.

If you are ready to be part of this next chapter, make a meaningful impact, and you are a suitably qualified and experienced Difference Maker wanting to go further on this exciting journey, you are encouraged to apply.

Purpose of the job

The Lead IT Operations is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the IT department, ensuring the seamless delivery of IT services and innovative solutions that align with organisational objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), this role ensures the reliability, scalability, and security of IT systems to meet both current and future business needs.

The Lead IT Operations is tasked with driving operational excellence, developing a cohesive and high-performing team, and ensuring adherence to governance, compliance, and security standards.

Furthermore, the role involves proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing best practices, and fostering collaboration across departments to support digital transformation initiatives.

Key/main outputs:

IT Operations Management

• Oversee daily IT operations, ensuring the reliability, performance, and scalability of all IT systems
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures for IT service delivery
• Implement and monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for IT support services
• Ensure systems are monitored proactively to prevent downtime and disruptions
• Coordinate with other IT functions to ensure alignment with organisational objectives
• Ensure Disaster Recovery meets the needs as outlined in the Business Continuity Management Plan.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and manage a team of IT professionals, fostering a high-performance culture
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
• Conduct performance reviews and set clear objectives aligned with organisational goals
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across the IT team

IT Infrastructure and Systems Administration

• Oversee the administration and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including servers, databases, networks, and enterprise systems
• Ensure the effective management of SQL databases and D365 systems
• Manage the procurement, deployment, and lifecycle of hardware and software assets
• Oversee the implementation of system upgrades and patches to ensure optimal performance and security
• Oversee the implementation and enforcement of Cyber Security initiatives

Change Management and Governance

• Implement and oversee IT change management processes
• Ensure compliance with internal governance frameworks and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with the IT Change Manager to manage risks associated with system and process changes
• Develop and maintain documentation for IT operations and change management processes

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand their IT needs and expectations
• Collaborate with the CIO to align IT operations with the overall IT strategy
• Work closely with external vendors and service providers to ensure effective delivery of outsourced services
• Provide regular updates to the CIO on IT operational performance and key initiatives

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the IT operations budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources
• Optimise resource allocation to balance operational and strategic priorities
• Negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers to achieve value for money

Embrace and drive organisational transformation

• Actively contribute to cost containment efforts by identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies, optimising resources, and ensuring value-driven decision-making in daily activities
• Support SAICAs transformation into an insights-driven organisation by leveraging data and analytics to enhance decision-making, improve processes, and drive continuous improvement in your area of work
• Effectively utilise digital tools and technology to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and improve service delivery. Stay informed about new and emerging technologies relevant to your role
• Adopt and embrace AI-driven tools and automation to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness in job-related tasks, while continuously seeking opportunities to improve processes through innovative technology solutions
• Identify and support SAICAs management of risks related to sustainability, including environmental risks, regulatory changes and social risks and integrating them into business continuity and risk management plans
• Implementation of the innovation hub and drive innovation within SAICA

Formal Education

• Bachelors degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field (required)
• Masters degree in IT Management, Business Administration, or equivalent (preferred)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Technical/Legal Certification

• ITIL Foundation certification (required)
• Microsoft SQL Server and D365 certifications (preferred)
• COBIT, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), or equivalent certifications (advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum 8 years in IT operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Proven experience managing IT infrastructure, databases, and enterprise systems
• Demonstrated experience in IT service delivery and operational excellence
• Experience with change management and compliance frameworks

Knowledge and Skills

• IT Infrastructure Management: Advanced knowledge of servers, databases, networks, and enterprise systems
• Operations Management: Expertise in IT service delivery, incident management, and operational efficiency
• Change Management: Deep understanding of IT change management processes and frameworks
• IT Governance Frameworks: Knowledge of IT governance and data protection regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR)
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions aligned with business objectives
• Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership capabilities, with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams
• nalytical Skills: Advanced analytical skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges effectively
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proficient in stakeholder engagement and relationship management, fostering collaboration across diverse teams and departments
• Communication Excellence: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Project Management Expertise: Skilled in project management, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery of operational projects