Senior Manager: System Development

oldmutual; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

CGIC, a part of Old Mutual in Johannesburg, seeks a Senior Manager: System Development to lead software development, business analysis and technology delivery across core insurance platforms. You will oversee architecture, modernisation and API-enabled integrations, driving value through strategic programmes and executive collaboration.

The role requires 12+ years in software development environments and 7+ years in senior technology leadership, with strong stakeholder engagement and governance

Qualifications

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Relevant leadership and project delivery certifications beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple development teams responsible for underwriting, claims, reinsurance, accounting, broker and client portals, collections and workflow solutions, and API/integration services.
• Establish engineering standards, SDLC governance and quality controls.
• Manage application lifecycles from conception through deployment and support.
• Drive agile delivery practices and continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic programmes focused on modernisation of legacy platforms and API-first integration.
• Guide migration and transformation initiatives involving legacy platforms and modern technologies.
• Provide governance, risk, and executive reporting for delivery programmes.
• Ensure alignment between business priorities and development capacity.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud platforms

API & microservices

Enterprise architecture

SDLC governance

Agile delivery

Data platforms

Systems integration

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT / CS / Engineering

Postgraduate qualification

Leadership / project delivery certifications

Job description

Let’s Write Africa’s Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation (CGIC) seeks an experienced Senior Manager: System Development to lead the organisation's software development, business analysis, application modernisation and technology delivery capabilities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the stability, enhancement and strategic evolution of CGIC's technology landscape while leading multiple teams responsible for core business systems, integration platforms, customer-facing solutions, data services and strategic transformation initiatives.

The role combines technology leadership, people management, delivery governance, architecture oversight, innovation and stakeholder engagement at executive level.

Technology Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute CGIC's application development and modernisation strategy.
• Define technology roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Lead the transition from legacy platforms to modern cloud-enabled and API-driven architectures.
• Drive architecture, integration and digital transformation initiatives.
• Partner with EXCO and business leadership on strategic technology decisions.
• Ensure technology investments support business growth, operational efficiency and risk management.

Software Development Leadership

• Lead multiple development teams responsible for: Underwriting systems
• Claims systems
• Reinsurance systems
• Accounting systems
• Broker and client portals
• Collections and workflow solutions
• API and integration services

• Establish engineering standards, SDLC governance and quality controls.
• Manage application lifecycles from conception through deployment and support.
• Improve development productivity, release governance and delivery predictability.
• Drive agile delivery practices and continuous improvement.

Modernisation & Transformation

• Lead strategic programmes focused on the modernisation of CGIC's legacy platforms.
• Drive API-first integration strategies.
• Guide migration and transformation initiatives involving legacy Software AG/Natural platforms and modern technologies
• Develop and execute long-term technology transformation roadmaps.
• Reduce key-person dependency and improve organisational resilience.

Programme & Portfolio Delivery

• Oversee the delivery of multiple concurrent projects and programmes.
• Ensure effective project governance, risk management and executive reporting.
• Manage project prioritisation and resource allocation.
• Establish delivery metrics and performance reporting.
• Ensure alignment between business priorities and development capacity.
• Examples of strategic initiatives include:

• Platform modernisation
• Broker Management solutions
• Portal and customer-facing applications
• API enablement and external integrations
• Data and reporting initiatives
• Core insurance system

People Leadership

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams including:

• Development Managers
• Software Developers
• Business Analysts
• Data Analysts
• Database Specialists
• Technical Leads

• Responsibilities include:

• Workforce planning
• Coaching and mentoring
• Succession planning
• Performance management
• Talent acquisition
• Capability development
• Building high-performing delivery teams

The incumbent will provide leadership across a team of approximately 20+ technology professionals.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership.
• Build strong partnerships with business units and operational leaders.
• Manage relationships with strategic technology vendors and service providers.
• Present progress, risks and investment recommendations to executive governance forums.
• Facilitate decision-making across business and technology stakeholders.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to IT governance frameworks.
• Manage application and delivery risks.
• Establish change, release and environment governance disciplines.
• Support audit, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain business continuity and operational resilience.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Relevant leadership and project delivery certifications beneficial.

Experience

• 12+ years experience within software development and delivery environments.
• 7+ years in senior technology leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading large technical teams.
• Experience managing complex application portfolios.
• Experience leading enterprise transformation and modernisation initiatives.
• Experience interacting with executive leadership and boards.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of:

• Application architecture
• Systems integration
• APIs and microservices
• Cloud platforms
• SDLC governance
• Agile delivery methodologies
• Data platforms and reporting solutions
• Legacy system modernisation
• Insurance and financial services environments (advantageous)

Critical Competencies

• Leadership
• Strategic thinking
• People le