Senior Digital Transformation Lead

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Remote; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Fully remote role

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Digital Transformation Lead to define and drive a remote-centric digital strategy for a major financial institution. You will shepherd platform modernization, data analytics, and AI/ML initiatives while aligning with regulatory and customer-experience goals.

You will partner with IT, marketing, product, and business units to deliver transformative projects, manage budgets, and report to executives on progress and risk. A strong banking background is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years in digital strategy, technology leadership, or digital transformation in financial services.
• Proven success leading large-scale digital programs with measurable business outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of cloud, AI/ML, data analytics, mobile banking, and blockchain.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent with agile methodologies and change management principles.
• Experience in product management or UX is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams to modernize platforms, analytics, AI/ML, and customer journeys.
• Identify emerging technologies and digital trends for financial services.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of digital products and services with strong customer focus.
• Collaborate with IT, marketing, product, and business units for seamless integration.
• Define KPIs and track progress toward strategic goals.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement in digital capabilities.
• Manage budgets and resources for digital projects.
• Communicate vision and progress to executives and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and cybersecurity best practices.

Skills

Digital strategy leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Agile methodologies

Product/UX awareness

Communication

Strategic thinking

Remote leadership

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration / IT / CS

Tools

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

AI/ML tools and data analytics

Blockchain knowledge

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking financial institution, is actively seeking a highly experienced Senior Digital Transformation Lead to spearhead their digital initiatives. This fully remote role requires a visionary leader with a profound understanding of digital strategy, technology innovation, and change management within the banking sector. You will be responsible for defining and executing the company's digital transformation roadmap, driving the adoption of new technologies, and enhancing digital customer experiences. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record of successfully leading complex digital transformation projects, a deep knowledge of emerging digital trends, and exceptional stakeholder management skills. This is a remote-first opportunity to shape the digital future of a prominent financial organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aligned with the company's overall business objectives.
• Lead and manage cross-functional teams to execute digital initiatives, including platform modernization, data analytics, AI/ML integration, and customer journey optimization.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and digital trends relevant to the financial services industry.
• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of digital products and services, ensuring a seamless and engaging customer experience.
• Collaborate closely with IT, marketing, product, and business units to ensure successful integration of digital solutions.
• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital initiatives and track progress towards strategic goals.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the organization regarding digital capabilities.
• Manage budgets and resources allocated to digital transformation projects.
• Communicate the vision and progress of digital transformation initiatives to executive leadership and all relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and cybersecurity best practices throughout all digital endeavors.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in digital strategy, technology leadership, or digital transformation roles, with a significant portion in the financial services sector.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale digital transformation programs and delivering measurable business outcomes.
• In-depth knowledge of digital technologies such as cloud computing, AI/ML, data analytics, mobile banking, and blockchain.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and cross-functional teams in a remote environment.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies and change management principles.
• Experience in product management or user experience (UX) design is a plus.
• Ability to think strategically and translate complex ideas into actionable plans.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus package, commensurate with experience and the demands of a senior remote leadership role. Comprehensive benefits include private medical aid, a retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off. This position is fully remote, offering ultimate flexibility and work-life balance. Opportunities for professional growth and development in cutting-edge digital technologies are abundant. You will be part of a dynamic and innovative team, contributing to the digital evolution of the financial industry from the comfort of your chosen location.