MAIN JOB PURPOSE

The Chief Digital Technology and Information Officer (CTDIO) is a C-Suite executive accountable for defining and executing the SABS enterprise digital vision and enabling the organisation’s transition from a legacy, system-centric environment to a digitally mature, integrated, data-driven and customer-centric enterprise by 2028.

The role leads organisation-wide digital transformation and technology-enabled change by embedding a business optimisation culture and driving the execution of strategic digital transformation initiatives. The CTDIO provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of digital, data, technology, and knowledge assets across the organisation, ensuring that ICT services, systems, and digital information are governed, secure, reliable, compliant, and leveraged as strategic enablers of value creation, service excellence, regulatory effectiveness, and long-term operational sustainability.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS AND OUTPUTS

Strategic Management

Provide enterprise-wide leadership in digital transformation and technology-enabled change, positioning digital and ICT as strategic enablers of organisational performance and service delivery.
Define and drive a business optimisation culture through the identification, prioritisation, and execution of digital transformation initiatives that deliver measurable business outcomes.
Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for information technology, digital information, and knowledge management across the organisation.
Develop, maintain, and govern a long-term (3–5 year) enterprise digital and ICT roadmap with clear milestones, success measures, and maturity targets aligned to the Corporate Plan and the 2028 digital maturity ambition.
Act as the principal strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Committee on digital transformation, ICT strategy, digital information governance, and related risk and compliance matters.
Ensure that digital, ICT, and information considerations are fully integrated into corporate strategy formulation, business planning, investment prioritisation, and executive decision-making processes.
Define and enforce enterprise-wide digital, ICT, and information governance principles, standards, architectures, and priorities to guide investment, risk management, and decision-making.
Ensure that ICT capabilities, platforms, and information assets are fit for purpose, future-ready, and aligned to support core regulatory, operational, analytical, and reporting requirements.• Ensure that ICT capabilities and information assets are fit for purpose to support core regulatory, operational, and reporting requirements.
Provide strategic leadership over the modernisation of core digital and technology platforms, including the establishment and optimisation of data centres, the expansion of cloud computing capabilities, and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Ensure that ICT services, systems, and digital information assets are governed, secure, reliable, compliant, and sustainably positioned to support the organisation’s mandate and long-term operational resilience.

Risk and Compliance Management

Establish and maintain enterprise ICT and digital information governance frameworks aligned with King V, PFMA, and public sector standards.
Ensure effective segregation of duties, accountability, and decision-making across the ICT environment.
Provide executive oversight of ICT risks, including cybersecurity, system resilience, data integrity, and third-party risk.
Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and standards, including POPIA and cybersecurity requirements.
Provide assurance on ICT and information governance to the Audit & Risk Committee and Board.

Financial Management

Develop and provide executive oversight of the ICT and digital information budget in accordance with PFMA requirements, National Treasury regulations, and public-sector financial controls.
Govern the digital and ICT investment portfolio to ensure prioritisation, affordability, and alignment with organisational strategy and transformation objectives.
Ensure value for money in all ICT and digital information investments, sourcing decisions, and procurement activities, including rigorous cost-benefit and benefits realisation considerations.
Shift ICT expenditure from reactive operational spend toward strategic enablement, modernisation, and transformation initiatives.
Approve major ICT and digital contracts, investments, and resource allocations within delegated authority, ensuring transparency, competitiveness, and compliance.
Monitor financial performance of digital and ICT initiatives, ensuring expenditure control, early identification of financial risks, and corrective action where required.
Ensure effective vendor and contract financial management to optimise commercial outcomes and manage long-term cost exposure

People Management

Lead, develop, and inspire the ICT and digital information function to ensure sustainable capability, high performance, and continuity of critical skills.
Establish and maintain an organisational structure that enables effective delivery, clear accountability, leadership depth, and succession planning across digital and ICT disciplines.
Build and lead a high-performing digital and ICT leadership team, fostering collaboration, accountability, ethical conduct, and service excellence.
Drive organisation-wide digital capability development, skills upliftment, and change adoption in support of a digital-first and business optimisation culture.
Define, implement, and monitor enterprise-level digital, ICT, and information performance indicators aligned to organisational outcomes and strategic objectives.
Provide high-level performance, risk, and compliance reporting on digital and ICT matters to the CEO, Executive Committee, and the Board.
Leverage ICT, digital, and information insights to support executive and Board-level decision-making, performance oversight, and strategic direction.
Act as an enterprise change sponsor, ensuring effective people, culture, and capability transitions associated with digital transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

Serve as the primary executive interface with the Board, Board Committees, regulators, auditors, shareholder representatives, and relevant government stakeholders on digital, data, and ICT matters.• Provide clear, credible, and timely executive-level engagement and assurance on digital transformation progress, ICT performance, risks, and compliance.
Engage the Executive Committee and senior management to align digital, ICT, and information priorities with organisational strategy, service delivery objectives, and business outcomes.
Facilitate informed executive and Board decision-making through transparent reporting, insights, and recommendations on digital and ICT initiatives.
Provide executive oversight of strategic digital and ICT service provider, partner, and vendor relationships, ensuring performance, value realisation, risk management, and compliance.
Represent the organisation in relevant national, sectoral, and industry digital and ICT forums as required, strengthening institutional positioning and influence

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Information Technology or Technology or Computer Science is essential.
Master’s degree in Information Technology or Technology or Computer Science is essential.
NQF Level 9

Experience

15 years of experience in leading digital transformation or technology-enabled change within complex organisations
10 years proven track record of delivering enterprise-level digital projects and managing multi-disciplinary teams
10 years experience in business optimisation culture & digital transformation projects
10 years’ senior management experience
10 years in a senior management or executive leadership role
Experience in strategic planning and execution. Knowledge of business processes, budgeting, and business administration
Strong change management skills to drive organisational culture shift toward digital-first mindset
Proven track record in managing ICT operations at an executive level.

Proven experience in:

Enterprise ICT governance and compliance
Oversight of complex ICT environments and systems
Managing significant budgets and vendor portfolios
Operating in a regulated, public sector, or SOE environment

KEY COMPETENCIES

Communication • Result Orientation • Relationships Building • Customer Focus • Professional and Technical Depth and Credibility • Quality Focused • Teamwork • Personal Drive • Business and Technical Mastery • Problem Solving • Influencing and Negotiating • Managing Performance • Leadership • Leading Change

APPLICATIONS & ENQUIRIES

Applications should be accompanied by certified copies of qualification/certificates, driver’s license, and identity document. Applicants with foreign qualifications must submit a SAQA evaluation report of the qualification.

CLOSING DATE: 20 March 2026

Only suitable candidates need to apply. If you have not received a response from us within four (4) weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

NOTE:

The candidate will be subject to: Security clearance, verification of qualifications and other assessments. SABS is committed to increasing the representation of previously disadvantaged groups in line with its Employment Equity Plan.

Please note by responding to the advertisement, you consent to the collection, processing, and storing of your Personal Information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Your information will be used solely for purposes of recruitment and more specifically for the position you have applied for and

will not be shared with third parties without prior consent unless required by law.

Please note that correspondence and communication will only be conducted with short-listed candidates and that SABS reserves the right not to appoint a suitable candidate who is not identified. SABS also reserves the right to withdraw or re-advertise the position at any time.

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Chief Technology & Digital Information Officer

About the Role

About SABS

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