HEAD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
Sigma Consulting Group
Remote
Location: Obanikoro, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Managing Director / Executive Management
Monthly Salary: Competitive
Experience: Minimum of 5–8 Years
About The Role
Our client, a reputable financial institution, is seeking an experienced and results-driven Head of Information Technology (IT) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the organisation's technology function.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the Bank's IT infrastructure, core banking application, information security, cybersecurity, digital banking channels, systems availability, and technology operations.
The role will also ensure that the Bank's technology environment remains secure, resilient, scalable, and compliant with applicable Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requirements, the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and other relevant regulatory and industry standards.
The ideal candidate should have strong practical experience in banking IT operations, BankOne Core Banking Application support, infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and financial technology environments, with the ability to translate technology into reliable and business-enabling solutions.
Key Responsibilities
IT Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute the Bank's IT strategy in alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Provide strategic direction and leadership across IT infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and technology operations.
- Develop and maintain IT policies, procedures, standards, and operational frameworks.
- Lead technology-driven initiatives and digital transformation projects across the Bank.
- Provide technology advisory support to Management and other business functions.
- Manage and administer the BankOne Core Banking Application, ensuring optimal performance, availability, security, and functionality.
- Monitor core banking systems and promptly resolve or escalate system-related issues.
- Coordinate application upgrades, patches, integrations, configurations, and system enhancements.
- Work with relevant vendors and service providers to ensure effective application support and issue resolution.
- Ensure appropriate controls are maintained around system access, user privileges, configuration, and change management.
- Oversee the Bank's IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, databases, endpoints, communication systems, and related technology platforms.
- Ensure high availability, reliability, scalability, and performance of critical IT systems.
- Monitor system capacity, performance, uptime, and infrastructure health.
- Coordinate preventive maintenance, system upgrades, patch management, and technology refresh initiatives.
- Provide effective technical support to branches, Head Office, and other users.
- Develop and implement effective information security and cybersecurity frameworks.
- Establish and monitor controls to protect the Bank's systems, applications, networks, and data from cyber threats.
- Manage user access controls, authentication, privileges, security monitoring, and incident response.
- Identify and mitigate technology and information security risks.
- Coordinate vulnerability assessments, security reviews, and remediation activities.
- Promote cybersecurity awareness and best practices across the organisation.
- Develop, maintain, and periodically test the Bank's IT Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans.
- Establish appropriate backup, recovery, redundancy, and system resilience mechanisms.
- Coordinate disaster recovery testing and document lessons learned and remediation actions.
- Ensure critical systems can be restored within agreed recovery objectives following an incident or disruption.
- Ensure IT operations comply with applicable CBN guidelines and regulatory requirements, including requirements relating to information technology, cybersecurity, electronic banking, and business continuity.
- Ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and applicable data protection requirements.
- Support regulatory examinations, audits, technology assessments, and compliance reviews.
- Maintain appropriate IT documentation, policies, controls, registers, and evidence required for regulatory and audit purposes.
- Prepare periodic IT risk, performance, compliance, and systems reports for Management, the Board, and regulatory examinations.
- Manage relationships with IT vendors, technology partners, software providers, internet service providers, and other technology service providers.
- Monitor service-level agreements, service quality, performance, and contractual obligations.
- Evaluate technology vendors and recommend solutions that provide value, reliability, security, and scalability.
- Coordinate vendor escalation and resolution of critical technical issues.
- Oversee the availability, performance, security, and integration of digital banking platforms and electronic channels.
- Support the implementation and optimisation of technology solutions that improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
- Identify emerging technologies and recommend relevant solutions to support business growth and competitiveness.
- Lead technology integration projects involving banking applications, payment platforms, third-party systems, and other digital solutions.
- Establish effective IT governance, controls, processes, and performance monitoring mechanisms.
- Develop and present periodic IT performance reports to Management and the Board.
- Monitor IT budgets, expenditure, resource utilisation, and technology investment.
- Maintain accurate documentation of IT assets, systems, licences, contracts, and technology infrastructure.
- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and controls within the IT function.
Success in the role will be measured by:
- High availability and reliability of critical banking systems.
- Optimal performance and uptime of the BankOne Core Banking Application.
- Effective implementation of cybersecurity and information security controls.
- Timely resolution of critical IT incidents and service disruptions.
- Successful implementation and testing of disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- Compliance with CBN, NDPA, audit, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Effective management of IT vendors and service-level agreements.
- Successful delivery of technology and digital transformation projects.
- Improved IT operational efficiency and user satisfaction.
- Accurate and timely submission of IT reports to Management, Board, and regulators.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree or HND in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
- A relevant postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5–8 years' relevant IT experience.
- At least 3 years' experience in a supervisory or management capacity, preferably within a Microfinance Bank, commercial bank, fintech, or other regulated financial institution.
- Demonstrated experience managing IT operations within a banking or financial services environment.
- Strong practical experience with the BankOne Core Banking Application is highly desirable.
- Proven experience in IT infrastructure, network administration, server management, database administration, cybersecurity, and digital banking platforms.
Professional certifications such as:
- CISA
- CISSP
- CCNA
- MCSE
- ITIL
- PMP
Required Technical & Professional Skills
- BankOne Core Banking Application
- IT Infrastructure Management
- Network Administration
- Server Administration
- Database Management
- Cybersecurity & Information Security
- Digital Banking Platforms
- IT Risk Management
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
- IT Governance
- Data Protection & Privacy
- IT Vendor Management
- Systems Integration
- Incident & Problem Management
- IT Project Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Technology Strategy & Digital Transformation
- IT Budgeting & Cost Management
- Leadership & Team Management
Subject: Head of Information Technology (IT) – Obanikoro
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.