ENVIRONMENT: The Technology Head position based in Johannesburg focuses on leading and managing IT and digital strategies for a Community Upliftment Programme. This role entails overseeing a small team of employees and contracted partners, with responsibilities including IT strategy development, program management, and architecture. Effective communication of technical strategies and progress to non-technical stakeholders is essential, emphasizing strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities in leveraging technology for community upliftment. DUTIES: Leading & managing IT & digital strategically, innovatively, and collaboratively with key stakeholders in service of the company’s strategy Collaborating with the executive team to ensure technology architecture, systems, and initiatives are coherent with and serve overall business strategy Building the executive’s understanding of and appreciation for IT to enable better sense-making and decision-making Developing and realising a comprehensive IT and digital strategy aligned with the organisation's goals Collaborating with internal departments and external partners to align technology initiatives with their needs Identifying opportunities for innovation and digital transformation to improve effectiveness and efficiency Communicating IT strategies, architecture considerations, and progress to non-technical stakeholders. Leading & managing the IT functional team Leading, managing, coaching, and developing a fit-for-purpose IT functional team with a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement Determining and managing the team’s and individuals’ KPIs Managing external technology vendors and contractors effectively Managing IT infrastructure Overseeing management and maintenance of IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, and data centers Ensuring data security, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans are in place and effective Evaluating and implementing emerging technologies to optimise operations Managing information security & compliance Establishing and enforce IT security policies and practices to protect data and systems Ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations (e.g., POPIA) Responding to and mitigating cybersecurity threats and incidents Managing systems and applications for business-as-usual and delivering projects Managing Business-as-Usual (BAU) systems and applications, including IT support and operations Delivering IT projects withing a mature management framework: initiating, prioritising, planning, budgeting, allocating resources and tracking projects to completion Engaging with stakeholders and collaborating for successful systems change management Driving Innovation Identifying and implementing opportunities and digital solutions to enhance user experiences and internal processes Monitoring industry trends, identifying opportunities, and evaluating new technologies for potential adoption Developing & managing IT budget & expenditure Using resources cost-effectively Maintaining and providing regular IT expenditure financial reports and forecasts REQUIREMENTS: Appetite to lead & manage a growing IT function comprising a relatively small set of employees together with team members contracted from partners while retaining primary responsibility for IT strategy, IT Program management and architecture (rather than delegating). Qualifications & Experience: Degree (preferably masters) in information technology, computer science, or a related field Min. 7 years’ successful experience in a senior IT leadership role, preferably as IT Head or Director Min. 7 years’ successful experience delivering software projects enabling core business operations Strong software engineering background ATTRIBUTES: Strong understanding of IT strategy and infrastructure Strong understanding of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies Excellent leadership and team management abilities Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills Budgeting and financial management expertise#J-18808-Ljbffr