Senior Manager: System Development

Old Mutual; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Job summary

CGIC is seeking an experienced Senior Manager: System Development to lead software development, business analysis, application modernisation and technology delivery. The role requires strategic leadership across multiple teams and platforms.

You will drive cloud-enabled, API-driven architecture, oversee governance, risk, and stakeholder engagement at executive level, and deliver complex transformation programmes for the organisation. This is a high-impact, senior-level role based in Johannesburg.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute CGIC's application development and modernisation strategy.
• Define technology roadmaps aligned to business objectives.
• Lead transition from legacy to cloud-enabled, 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.
• Lead multiple development teams for underwriting, claims, accounting, broker portals, APIs.
• Establish engineering standards, SDLC governance and quality controls.
• Manage application lifecycles from conception through deployment and support.
• Drive agile delivery and continuous improvement.
• Lead modernisation programmes and API-first strategies.
• Guide migration from legacy platforms and modern technologies.
• Oversee delivery of concurrent projects with governance and reporting.
• Build and develop teams; approx 20+ tech professionals.
• Serve as trusted advisor to executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Executive presence

Coaching and mentoring

Change leadership

Delivery

Programme management

Portfolio prioritisation

Commercial awareness

Vendor management

Governance and risk management

Solution architecture

Software engineering

Technology modernisation

Integration strategy

Data and analytics understanding

Education

Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or related field

Postgraduate qualification advantageous

Relevant leadership and project delivery certifications beneficial

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 systemsClaims systemsReinsurance systemsAccounting systemsBroker and client portalsCollections and workflow solutionsAPI 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 leadership
• Executive presence
• Coaching and mentoring
• Change leadership
• Delivery
• Programme management
• Portfolio prioritisation
• Commercial awareness
• Vendor management
• Governance and risk management
• Technical
• Solution architecture
• Software engineering
• Technology modernisation
• Integration strategy
• Data and analytics understanding

Success Measures

• The successful candidate will be measured on:
• Delivery of strategic transformation initiatives.
• Stability and availability of critical business systems.
• Development team effectiveness and productivity.
• Quality, security and governance compliance.
• Technology roadmap execution.
• Reduction of legacy platform risk.
• Business stakeholder satisfaction.
• Talent retention and succession readiness.

• 6 – 8 years of experience in Information Technology, Information/Cyber Security, IT Auditing, IT or Operational Risk, IT Compliance, or IT Governance.
• 2 – 4 years managerial / leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of IT Governance frameworks, methodologies, and related standards.
• At least two relevant industry certifications: ISO27001/27002, COBIT 5/2019, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, CGRC etc.
• Cloud Certifications an advantage: AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Certified Security – Specialty or related.
• Agile training and knowledge of Agile Frameworks.
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills and facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written & oral communication and networking skills
• A motivated self-starter, capable of working on own initiative with a high level of integrity.
• A resourceful, proactive, and confident communicator ensuring adequate quality and timely deliverables.
• Ability to work professionally and constructively as a leader and team member providing advice and consultancy.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE (PREFERRED, NOT A REQUIREMENT)

• Proficient in MS Suite (Excel, Word, Visio and PowerPoint)
• A background in audit, assurance within financial services.
• Makes increased contributions by broadening individual skills

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Business Requirements Analysis, Cultural Awareness, Database Administration, Data Compilation, Data Controls, Data Management, Evaluating Information, Executing Plans, Expertise Management System, IT Architecture, Policies & Procedures, User Requirements Documentation, Wireless Network Management

Competencies

Communicates EffectivelyCourageCultivates InnovationDecision QualityEnsures AccountabilityManages ComplexityNimble LearningOptimizes Work Processes

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

25 October 2026 , 23:59