Principle Head of IT Operations - JHB

Top Talent Professional Services; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT service provider in Johannesburg is seeking a seasoned IT Operations Executive to lead their technology strategy and oversee IT functions across the organization. This role requires 18+ years in IT Operations, strategic management skills, and proven ability to implement effective service management practices. Candidates should possess a postgraduate degree in Information Technology and have the capacity to lead extensive cross-functional teams. A competitive salary and dynamic environment are offered.

Qualifications

• 18+ years of experience in IT Operations or relevant experience.
• 15+ years of Service Management experience is an advantage.
• Agile certified with knowledge of IT governance.
• Relevant experience in Fintech or ICT.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of IT strategy.
• Oversee technology systems for scalability and flexibility.
• Manage business information strategy and streamlining processes.
• Ensure adherence to compliance and regulatory frameworks.

Skills

IT Operations Management

Service Management

Strategic Management

Agile Methodologies

Team Leadership

Communication

Education

Postgraduate degree in Information Technology

MBA

Master's degree

Tools

Azure DevOps

MS Project

JIRA

MS Office

Job description

Leads the development, implementation, and execution of organization-wide information technology plans and strategy that contribute to the development and delivery of IT Operations Functions that support and leads the business objectives

JOB PURPOSE

Leads the development, implementation, and execution of organization-wide information technology plans and strategy that contribute to the development and delivery of IT Operations Functions that support and leads the business objectives

RESPONSIBILITIES

Functional Strategy Formation and Implementation

Develop, implement, monitor, review and evaluate the delivery of Technology Operations,to formulate and implement Technology strategy

Develop the strategy for a significant area of responsibility such as function, anticipating complex issues, challenges and opportunities

Ensure the strategy is successfully implemented and meets medium-term business needs

Enable businesses to capitalize on new opportunities and build out new capabilities

Develop and implement a cost-effective strategy for business that simplifies processes and procedures

Lead the development and implementation of strategy for a significant area of responsibility, anticipating complex issues, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring integration with wider corporate strategy

Creating, monitoring and analyzing financial and operational metrics that track performance and provide insights for functions

Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-term planning, introduction, of new Technology platforms, programs / strategies and regulatory action

Manage business information strategy, development and implementation of business systems, streamlining processes to assist with analysis on productivity and performance improvement

Partner with business executives to run Group strategic projects, understand business requirements and products, provide insights into market demands and trends based on digital platforms available

Support the Group Technology CEO with implementation of Tech strategy across all companies within the business

Oversee the deployment and management of current and future technology systems, ensuring their scalability and flexibility to meet evolving business needs

Communicate the function''''''''s strategy and its relationship to the organization''''''''s mission, vision and values; clarify the actions needed to implement it within the area of responsibility; motivate people to commit to these and to do extraordinary things to achieve the organization''''''''s business goals

Information, Business Advice, Policies and procedures

Provide authoritative specialist advice to the leadership team across Tech and business to guide the implementation of policies, the design and implementation of projects and change initiatives

Lead the development of policies, procedures, and related guidelines for the entire delivery, product design, architecture and governance, ensuring compliance with external requirements and integration with the broader corporate policy framework

Ensure reduction of fraudulent activities by providing a secure and trusted environment for business needs

Build and formulate infrastructure frameworks, Service Management SLAs that are tangible, and business can relate to

Internal Client Relationship Management

Lead the development of partnering relationships with Business unit and technology managers throughout the organization, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust.

Ensuring that internal clients have access to high-quality advice and guidance to support in delivering business strategy and plansEstablish and maintain strong relationships with Business Leaders to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions

Being obsessed with customers and focused

Information Security & Risk Operations

Implementation and continuous enhancement of robust security measures and risk management strategies to safeguard the organization''''''''s IT infrastructure, data, and assets, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and minimizing potential threats

Business Case and Planning

Develop and gain agreement to annual business plans for a function or substantial business area, ensuring alignment with strategy; quantify business outcomes (i.e. revenues or other key performance indicators); detail expense, and headcount budgets; and develop business cases for key projects, ensuring cross-functional integration

Lead the development, presentation, and continuous review of program and project business cases; make evidence-based recommendations on the initiation and termination of key projects

Full responsibility for external audit and any other statutory and regulatory reporting

Establish and maintain strong relationships with the board, shareholders and Business Leaders to identify their needs and seek full range of business solutions

Ensure the business complies with the statutory legislation and corporate governance frameworks

Accountable for the formulation of policies and procedures in line with relevant legislation and ensure implementation thereof

Systems and controls implement and maintain systems, procedures and controls for efficient performance and productivity

Define policies, procedures and processes to streamline the Business and optimize efficiencies.

Leadership, Direction and Budgeting

Manage the functions technology budget, ensuring cost effectiveness of resources

Establish rigorous financial controls and challenge pricing internally and with external vendors

Take responsibility for setting and managing area budgets so they align with business strategy

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and define project scopes

Champion the transition of new ways of work and integration of tech and business delivery and operating model

Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders, provide regular updates on project status and addressing concerns promptly

Recognize outcomes which resulted from effective collaboration between teams Collaborate with other leaders to deliver superior customer experience

Be an effective inspirational leader to facilitate the creation of motivated and accountable, full-service teams who understand and strive to meet the needs of all business stakeholders

Coach and council operational managers and staff to develop and sustain an environment that fully understands delivery and its impact on business.

Team Coordination & Managing Complexity

Lead and mentor IT Operations function in fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and accountability

Coordinate with external providers and partners to ensure alignment of IT Operations, identify projects goals and deliverables

Build and evolve the IT Operations and Service Management capability across the business

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations.

Performance Management & Business Capability Building

Build and lead a high-performance technology team by driving employee engagement, productivity, high performance and delivery focus

Manage and report on the performance of the function / business area; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives

Identify the capabilities needed to meet the current and emerging business needs of a significant business area

Evaluate current capabilities, identify gaps, and prioritize development activities

Motivate others to develop their capabilities and fulfill their personal potential

Build capabilities elsewhere in the entire business through mentoring and other informal methods

Build strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals

For example, mentors others on how to build effective teams; take actions to correct dysfunctional teams.

Ensures that the team has the right mix of skills; leverages individual strengths effectively.

Change Management

Develop and implement change management plans to facilitate smooth transitions during technology rollouts for budgets

Conduct training sessions for internal teams and customers to ensure proper adoption of financial models and services

Apply best practices to implement and / or resolve financial issues

Business Continuity

Develop and maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans

Strategic Mindset and Business Acumen

Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies, for example, a strong picture thinker; makes frequent, clear references to the businesss vision, the efforts required to drive strategies forward

Effectively integrates long-term opportunities and challenges with day-to-day activities

Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the businesss goals, for example, ensures leaders understand and discusses relevant industry changes that may benefit business

Define the detailed organization structure for a business area to align with corporate principles, define the relationship between elements of each functional area, and define the responsibilities of senior managers, to enable Group Technology to achieve its business objectives

Situational Adaptability and Communication

Adapts approach and demeaner in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations, for example, takes steps to adapt to changing needs, conditions, priorities or opportunities

Understands the cues that suggest a change in approach is needed; adopts new behaviours accordingly

Develop and deliver multi-mode communication that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences, for example tailors communication content and style to the needs of others

Pays attention to others inputs and perspectives, asks questions and summarizes to confirm

Business Insights and Accountability

Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the businesss goals

For example, ensures that the team understands and discusses relevant industry changes

Gives strong messages about how people''''''''s efforts make a difference to the broader organization

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments

For example, measures and tracks team''''''''s and own performance, and helps the team learn from success, failure, and feedback. Adheres to, and enforces, goals, policies, and procedures

Job Requirements

EDUCATION

Matric

Postgraduate degree in Information and Technology, MBA advantage

Masters degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

18+ years of experience in IT Operations or relevant experience

15+ years of experience in Service Management experience is an advantage

15+ years Experienced in strategic management and leadership across company functions directing substantial resources over long-term frames

Agile certified, knowledge of the relevant Information Technology governance and legislative framework (such as COBIT, ITIL, TOGAF, SDLC, ASAP, SOA)

Good understanding of Azure DevOps, APIs

Knowledge MS Project, JIRA (preferred), advanced MS Office skills Relevant experience in Fintech, ICT

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) advantageous

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) advantageous

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) advantageous

Oracle Systems Knowledge and experience advantageous

Salary - Market related