Job Description
D
Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO) - Banking/Financial Services: Nigeria
DWR Executive Search - Ghana, Nigeria & West Africa.
Product & Project Management
Yesterday
New
Ibadan & Oyo State Full Time Recruitment Confidential
Share link
Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Share via SMS
Min Qualification:
Job descriptions & requirements
Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO) - Ibadan/Lagos, Nigeria
Please do NOT apply if your career history and skills do not include extensive experience gained in the relevant disciplines specified below.
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY EMAIL AS EXPLAINED IN THE LINK PROVIDED BELOW. APPLICATIONS MADE VIA LINKEDIN OR THE "EASY APPLY" BUTTTON WILL BE UNREAD AND AUTOMATICALLY DELETED.
Overview:
My client is a well-known and highly respected international micro-finance organisation offering personal, corporate and retail banking services. With a recognised presence in Nigeria, they have 30 offices across 7 states and specialise in the provision of client-centric financial services to micro and small businesses (MSMEs & SMEs), and low and middle-income employees, individuals and entrepreneurs, in a sustainable and responsible manner. They command a prominent position in their sector with an impressive history and commitment to the highest levels of customer satisfaction across Nigeria, several other African countries and in Asia.
DWR Executive Search has been appointed to find a very specific individual with a solid career history and background in banking or financial services (preferably microfinance or retail banking) and with direct experience in digital transformation, alternative channels, and partnership-led growth. This role will suit a career-focused professional with a solid understanding of IT governance, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.
This is a multi-disciplined, newly created position that demands somebody with a varied skillset and substantial exposure to several areas of operation. It is therefore a fundamental requirement that applicants meet the exact conditions as set out below and can demonstrate their ability to satisfy the mixed duties that the role encompasses.
This is a full-time, office-based position in Ibadan (with the possibility of also working partly from their premises in Lagos). To accommodate the company’s continual plans for growth and excellence, and to provide strategic support, you will work closely with the CEO/MD to help spearhead the strengthening and direction of the business.
As an essential and pivotal role, the successful candidate will be responsible for:
• IT & Digital Infrastructure (core banking, cybersecurity, data, systems availability)
• Alternative Distribution Channels (digital channels, agents, fintech partnerships, APIs)
• Business Development (new products, partnerships, ecosystem expansion)
• Leading digital product development (mobile banking, USSD, payments, digital lending, automation)
• Driving innovation, process digitisation, and efficiency improvements across the bank
• Ensuring IT governance, regulatory compliance, data protection & cybersecurity
• Building and leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams
• Managing technology and innovation budgets and investment priorities Representing the bank with regulators, fintech partners, and innovation ecosystems.
To be considered for this exciting, demanding and rewarding role you will be required to satisfy the following functions and possess the attributes and combined skillset described below:
Core Duties & Responsibilities:
The Chief Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO) will be a key member of the executive team, with oversight responsibility for the IT Department, Alternative Distribution Channels, and Business Development. Responsible for driving the bank’s digital transformation, innovation agenda, and sustainable revenue growth through technology, partnerships, and new distribution models.
Digital Strategy & Innovation
• Formulate, execute, and continuously refine the bank’s digital banking strategy in alignment with business goals and competitive landscape.
• Lead the development, deployment, and optimisation of digital products and channels including mobile application, USSD, POS, e-wallets, omni-channel customer solutions as well as AIR+ solutions.
• Drive technology innovation and identify emerging digital opportunities to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Executive Committee and the Board on technology risks, opportunities, and investments.
• Ensure transformation initiatives support revenue growth, cost optimisation, and customer experience.
Product & Platform Development
• Oversee the design, engineering, testing, and rollout of scalable digital platforms and applications and related processes and customer’s journeys.
• Manage product/project roadmaps, ensuring timely delivery, quality, alignment with market needs and regulatory expectations and related budget & resources.
• Champion the integration of third-party solutions and emerging technologies (APIs, AI/ML, credit scoring, payments, etc.).
• Drive adoption, usage, and profitability of all digital and non-digital products.
Fintech & Ecosystem Partnerships
• Identify and lead strategic collaborations with fintechs, payment providers, developers, and tech enablers to drive interoperability and digital expansion.
• Represent the bank in discussions with technology partners, regulators (CBN, NIBSS), and industry innovation networks.
Data & Analytics Leadership
• Use the data analytics function to drive customer behaviour analytics and risk intelligence outputs and to propose new strategies and/or adjustments/improvements.
• Promote a data driven decision-making culture across the organization.
Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance
• Ensure top-tier cybersecurity frameworks, fraud prevention & AML-CFT systems, and customer data protection protocols are implemented and regularly updated.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and global standards.
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
• Build, coach, and mentor a high-performing digital and technology team -including engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, business development and ADC units.
• Ensure proper interaction, coordination and compliance with the Group’s teams and standards.
• Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, agility, and service excellence.
Technology Governance & Budget Management
• Manage the budget and investments of the various departments under your supervision, ensuring cost optimisation, ROI tracking, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Ensure that each new project is managed in compliance with the Group project management standards.
• Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, service management, partner relationship and performance monitoring for technology investments.
Essential Requirements:
A. Cybersecurity, IT risk & compliance: Accountable for security posture, regulatory compliance, and cyber-risk mitigation. Reference point for enterprise security and regulatory readiness.
B. Software engineering & architecture: Oversee engineering excellence, architecture governance, and system stability and scalability.
C. API development & system integrations: Lead API-first strategy, partner integrations, and enterprise interoperability. Connecting banking channels and digital platforms.
D. IT governance (COBIT, ITIL, ISO standards): Oversee governance framework, audits compliance, SLAs, SOPs, DR/BCP compliance, and IT risk controls.
E. Cross-functional collaboration; leads enterprise-level collaboration with Product, Ops, Risk, OPE, Network, Finance, Legal.
You must also possess high levels of competency and expertise in the follow:
• Digital banking platforms & core banking systems: To architect and optimise enterprise-wide digital banking infrastructure.
• Mobile & USSD technology stacks: Lead design standards & decisions and direct mobile roadmap. Ensure platform robustness.
• Cloud computing & DevOps: Drive cloud strategy, infrastructure resilience, CI/CD automation.
• Data management & analytics: Ensure data standards, integrity, governance, reporting standards, and advanced analytics.
• Project management & Agile methodologies: Ensure disciplined delivery, Agile adoption, and cross team execution.
• Custodian of sensitive systems and data; set ethical tone. High integrity and ethical judgment.
As a Senior Managerial/Executive position, you must also be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills that include the following aspects of the role:
• Lead adoption of new technologies and emerging trends - Continuous learning and adaptability.
• Customer-centric mindset; Ensure technology enables excellent customer experience.
• Ownership and accountability; Own the entire technology estate and its outcomes.
• Strategic thinking and execution; Shape technology vision; align initiatives with corporate strategy and prepare and manage a budget.
• Strong communication & stakeholder engagement; influence Executive Committee, Board, regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Innovation & problem-solving; drive technology evolution, digital innovation, and solution creativity.
• Team building & talent development; build high performance tech teams and grow future leaders.
• Operational excellence & accountability; ensure uptime, resilience, SLA delivery, and operational discipline.
• Vendor & partner negotiation; manage major contracts, outsourcing, and global partnerships.
• Decision-making under pressure; make critical decisions during incidents, outages, and crises.
For full details on the requirements, the package and how to apply, please see: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vacancy-chief-technology-innovation-eml7f (copy the link and open in the LinkedIn search bar or on your browser).
Applications from people who do NOT meet the conditions will be automatically deleted. Please do not use the "EASY APPLY" button - your application will not be seen. It will be deleted automatically.
ONLY APPLY DIRECTLY VIA EMAIL TO THE THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION LINK:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vacancy-chief-technology-innovation-eml7f