Senior Information

Job Title Senior Information & Technology Officer Location Western Cape, Cape Town, Newlands Employment Type Permanent Reporting Structure CEO Job Purpose The Senior Information & Technology Officer (SITO) will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and executive oversight across the entire technology ecosystem, encompassing information systems, software development, cybersecurity, data governance, and digital innovation. The SITO is accountable for developing and executing the enterprise‑wide technology strategy, ensuring the alignment of IT and digital capabilities with business goals, and enabling sustainable growth through innovation, resilience, and operational excellence. This role carries full responsibility for IT governance, cybersecurity assurance, enterprise architecture, data protection compliance, and business continuity. Qualifications and Experience Essential Requirements: Honour's Degree / Post graduate degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent. 7 years’ IT experience inclusive of 3 years’ management experience. IT governance (COBIT, ITIL), cybersecurity (ISO, NIST, CIS) and data protection (POPIA, GDPR).Proven track record in software development leadership, including agile, DevOps, and CI/CD implementation. Strong command of enterprise infrastructure, networking, cloud platforms, and information security. Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and executive reporting skills. Demonstrated experience in budget ownership, project portfolio management, and digital transformation delivery. Strategic leadership with the ability to translate complex technical strategies into business value. Preferred Requirements Master's degree in information technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent. 10 years of progressive IT leadership experience, with at least 7 years in a senior role. Demonstrated experience managing multi‑disciplinary teams across IT operations, software engineering, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Relevant certifications: Governance (COBIT, ITIL v4); Security (CISSP, CISM, CEH, CompTIA Security+); Cloud/Architecture (AWS/Azure Architect, TOGAF); Project/Delivery (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum Master). Key Performance Areas Strategic Technology Leadership Develop and execute the organization’s long‑term technology and digital transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with business vision and growth strategies. Serve as a key advisor to the CEO, providing strategic insight on emerging technologies, investment opportunities, and digital competitiveness. Oversee the design and implementation of the enterprise architecture, ensuring interoperability, security, and scalability across systems. Lead the technology modernization agenda, transitioning legacy systems to cloud‑native, API‑driven architectures. Drive innovation initiatives leveraging AI, machine learning, data analytics, automation, and IoT. Governance, Risk & Compliance Establish and maintain enterprise‑wide IT governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks aligned with COBIT 19, ISO, NIST standards. Serve as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), accountable for cybersecurity posture, incident management, and regulatory compliance (POPIA, GDPR, PCI DSS). Lead security strategy, including zero‑trust architecture, endpoint protection, SIEM, and SOC operations. Direct data governance, metadata management, and retention policies to ensure integrity, privacy, and ethical use of information. Implement and monitor business continuity and disaster recovery frameworks across all critical functions. Liaise with regulators, auditors, and third parties regarding compliance, data protection, and IT risk. Participate in high‑level IT or security operations as and when required. Software Development & Engineering Excellence Lead all software engineering and product development initiatives, ensuring delivery of secure, scalable, and user‑centric applications. Define software architecture standards, coding practices, and quality assurance frameworks. Oversee DevOps and agile delivery methodologies to accelerate time‑to‑market and enhance cross‑functional collaboration. Oversee development of internal business systems, integrations, and custom solutions that drive efficiency and performance. Ensure security‑by‑design principles and compliance are embedded in every phase of the software lifecycle. Drive research & development into emerging technologies to maintain digital competitiveness. Infrastructure, Cloud & Operations Management Oversee enterprise IT operations, infrastructure, and networks. Direct cloud migration strategies and manage hybrid environments across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Oversee enterprise storage, virtualization, and data center operations with robust redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities. Establish SLAs and KPIs for IT service delivery, user experience, and operational resilience. Manage all vendor, outsourcing, and managed service relationships with clear accountability and cost controls. Cybersecurity Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with ISO, NIST CSF, and POPIA. Establish proactive threat detection, response, and recovery frameworks. Oversee periodic penetration testing, risk audits, and vulnerability assessments. Build an internal culture of cyber awareness and security ownership across all levels. Ensure compliance reporting to the CEO, Audit Committee, and regulatory bodies. Data, Analytics & Digital Intelligence Develop and execute the organization’s data and analytics strategy to support predictive and prescriptive decision‑making. Oversee the design and management of enterprise data warehouses, BI dashboards, and analytics platforms. Champion a data‑driven culture, ensuring accessibility and ethical use of information assets. Drive adoption of automation, RPA, and AI technologies for operational efficiency and strategic insight. Financial Stewardship Oversee the IT and digital transformation budget, ensuring effective resource allocation and measurable ROI. Manage technology procurement, licensing, and vendor negotiations for optimal value. Establish financial governance around technology investments, ensuring cost transparency and accountability. Present annual technology budgets, investment plans, and risk reports to the executive and board committees. Human Capital support Foster a positive and productive work environment to enhance the team. Participate in the recruitment and selection process by partaking in interviews and hiring decisions. Provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to your team to help them develop their skills. Identify development needs and ensure there are opportunities for continuous learning and improvement. Conduct regular performance reviews, providing feedback to team members on their progress and areas for improvement. Closing Date: 03 November How to apply: Complete the online form on the SSISA website, Current Vacancies | SSISA, ensuring all questions are answered and your resume and cover / motivation letter is attached. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion; however, preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates in accordance with the Employment Equity Act of South Africa. #J-18808-Ljbffr