Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.
With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.
Job Summary
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare and compelling opportunity for a senior technology executive to take ownership of the entire IT function of a large, complex national insurer. The suitable leader will serve as a key member of the Executive Committee, working closely with the business Executive team to define and execute an enterprise-wide technology vision that enables competitive advantage, regulatory compliance, and transformational growth.
The Executive: Information Technology will have regular exposure to the Board of Directors and be expected to communicate technology strategy clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences at senior levels.
Essential Experience & Qualifications:
• Minimum 15 years' progressive experience in senior IT leadership, with at least 5 years at an Executive level.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering large-scale digital transformation programmes within a complex, regulated financial services or insurance environment.
• Deep expertise across IT infrastructure, enterprise architecture, cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP), and cybersecurity.
• Proven experience managing substantial IT budgets and leading large, geographically distributed IT teams.
• Strong understanding of insurance sector regulatory will be advantageous
• Experience presenting to and influencing at Board level, with the ability to translate complex technology topics into business language.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
Leadership & Behavioural Competencies:
• Exceptional strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into actionable roadmaps.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and executive-level communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence without authority across the C-Suite.
• High commercial acumen with a strong understanding of technology ROI and business case development.
• Resilient, decisive and calm under pressure; able to navigate complex organisational change.
• Passionate advocate for technology-enabled customer outcomes and business value creation.
Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Digital Transformation & Strategic Leadership
- Define, own and execute a multi-year digital transformation roadmap aligned to the Absa Financial Services strategic objectives and customer experience goals.
- Champion the adoption of emerging technologies — including AI, machine learning, cloud, and automation — to drive operational efficiency and competitive differentiation.
- Partner with the CEO and Executive Committee to embed technology as a core business enabler across all product lines and functions.
- Lead the evaluation and modernisation of legacy core insurance platforms (policy, claims, billing) to future-ready architectures.
2. IT Infrastructure & Operations
- Oversee the design, delivery, and performance of the entire IT infrastructure, including on-premise, hybrid and cloud environments.
- Ensure 99%+ system availability and service reliability across all customer-facing and key internal platforms.
- Drive cost efficiency and value for money in technology operations managing an IT budget effectively.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with key technology vendors, partners, and managed service providers.
3. Cybersecurity & Risk Management
- Own the enterprise cybersecurity strategy, ensuring robust protection of customer data, intellectual property, and critical business systems.
- Maintain and enhance compliance with our regulatory obligations, and proactively manage cyber risk.
- Lead the development and testing of business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response frameworks.
- Foster a culture of security awareness across the organisation and lead regular risk reporting to various risk governance forums.
4. Data & Analytics
- Establish and evolve the data strategy, including data governance, data quality, and a modern analytics and reporting capability. Leveraging efforts in play across the ecosystem.
- Enable the business to leverage data as a strategic asset — from pricing and underwriting analytics to customer segmentation and claims intelligence.
- Oversee the development of enterprise data platforms, including data lake and data warehousing architecture.
- Work with the Chief Data Office and business executive team to drive AI and advanced analytics adoption across business units.
5. Leadership Development & Team Building
- Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing IT organisation of 100+ professionals, spanning engineering, operations, architecture and data.
- Build and sustain a culture of innovation, accountability, agility and continuous improvement within the IT function.
- Define and execute an IT talent strategy including hiring, succession planning, capability development, and retention.
- Act as a visible, accessible leader who develops future technology leadership talent and champions diversity within the team.
Education
Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology
Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.
Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised
