Chief Technology and Information Officer

Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTO/CTIO)
Location: Cape Town

Our client, a Cape Town based business operating in the fintech space, is focused on changing how people access and experience financial services. With ambitious growth plans ahead, they are appointing key members of their executive leadership team.

They are recruiting for four C suite roles:

• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): to lead the brand and drive customer acquisition and growth
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): to design and scale the operations that power the business
• Chief Business Officer (CBO): to lead commercial growth, partnerships and revenue
• Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTO/CTIO): to lead the technology, platform, data and cybersecurity strategy

The role: Chief Technology and Information Officer

As Chief Technology and Information Officer, you will lead the technology, platform, data, AI and cybersecurity strategy, taking the business through a responsible, well governed rollout of AI.

What you'll be doing

• Defining and owning the technology, information, data and AI strategy in line with business objectives
• Leading the rollout of AI across the business, from identifying use cases to implementation, adoption and scaling
• Establishing AI governance, including policies, ethical use, model risk, data privacy and regulatory compliance
• Taking full accountability for cybersecurity across the business, including strategy, policies, controls and security operations
• Protecting the company's platforms, systems and customer data against cyber threats, including emerging AI related risks
• Leading incident response, threat monitoring, vulnerability management and regular security testing
• Ensuring compliance with information security, data protection and POPIA requirements, as well as applicable financial services regulations
• Leading the architecture, development and scaling of secure, reliable fintech platforms
• Overseeing engineering, infrastructure, data and IT functions
• Working closely with product, operations and commercial teams to deliver new features and customer experiences
• Managing technology and security partners, vendors and integrations with banks and payment providers
• Managing technology budgets, risk and service levels, and reporting on cyber and AI risk to the executive team and board
• Building and leading high performing engineering, technology and security teams

What you'll bring

• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or a related field
• 15+ years of technology experience, including at least 5 years at executive level
• Proven experience rolling out AI within a business and managing the associated risks, including governance, security, data privacy and ethical use
• Proven experience owning cybersecurity in a regulated environment, ideally fintech, banking or payments
• Recognised security certifications such as CISSP or CISM will be advantageous
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms, modern software architecture and API integrations
• A solid understanding of data governance, risk management and regulatory requirements
• A track record of scaling platforms and engineering teams in a growth business
• The ability to be both strategic and hands on in a fast paced environment

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to each candidate individually. If you have not heard from us within one month of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.

In line with the company's Employment Equity plan, preference will be given to South African citizens from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.