Chief Information Officer Retail

Old Mutual Insure is seeking an accomplished and strategic technology leader to fill the pivotal role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) for its Retail and Distribution businesses. This executive position, reporting directly to the Chief Executive of the Retail Insure Cluster, is instrumental in shaping and executing the technology, digital, data, and cybersecurity agenda for a significant segment of Old Mutual's operations. The successful candidate will be tasked with empowering the broker and intermediary channels, modernising existing technology platforms, and fostering a culture of innovation to drive the company's digital transformation journey.

Strategic Leadership and Vision

The CIO will be a key player in the formulation and execution of corporate strategy, bringing deep functional expertise to assess strategic viability and contribute innovative ideas. This involves not only leading the development and implementation of the technology strategy but also ensuring its seamless integration with the broader corporate objectives of Old Mutual. A critical aspect of the role is anticipating complex challenges and opportunities within the technology landscape, particularly as they relate to the insurance value chain.

The position demands strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to communicate a clear and compelling vision for the technology function, aligning it with the organisation's mission, vision, and values. This leader will be responsible for motivating teams to achieve extraordinary outcomes and drive business growth. Furthermore, the CIO will play a crucial role in business planning, developing and securing agreement on annual plans, quantifying business outcomes, and managing budgets effectively. This includes developing robust business cases for key projects and ensuring cross-functional alignment.

Building organisational capability is also a core responsibility. The CIO will be expected to identify, evaluate, and prioritise the development of capabilities needed to meet current and emerging business demands, addressing any identified gaps. This involves not only fostering the growth of internal talent but also contributing to broader organisational capability building through mentoring and other informal methods. Stakeholder engagement, from operational teams up to top management levels, will be vital for understanding needs and developing effective communication and engagement plans.

Driving Transformation and Operational Excellence

A central focus of this role is the enablement of Old Mutual Insure's retail and distribution channels. This means developing and implementing a comprehensive IT and digital transformation strategy that directly supports business objectives. The CIO will oversee the entire spectrum of enterprise technology operations, including infrastructure, applications, and service delivery, ensuring a high level of operational excellence and efficiency.

Innovation and digital enablement are paramount. The CIO will be expected to spearhead initiatives in automation and digital solutions to enhance customer experiences and operational processes. This extends to ensuring robust cybersecurity and information security frameworks, as well as comprehensive business continuity planning, safeguarding the organisation's digital assets and operational resilience.

Effective data governance, reporting, and analytics capabilities are also essential. The CIO will be responsible for establishing and maintaining these systems to leverage data for informed decision-making and strategic insights. Managing IT budgets, optimising technology investments, and cultivating strong vendor relationships will be key to maximising the value of the technology function. Furthermore, ensuring strict compliance with all regulatory, governance, and risk management requirements within the financial services sector is non-negotiable.

Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field. A relevant postgraduate qualification, such as an MBA or Master's Degree (NQF Level 9), would be considered advantageous. The role requires a minimum of 15 years of progressive technology leadership experience, preferably within the financial services or insurance sectors, or another highly regulated industry. Crucially, at least 8 years of this experience must be at an executive or senior management level, demonstrating a proven track record in leading significant technology functions and driving strategic initiatives.

In South Africa, a Chief Information Officer role within a large financial services organisation like Old Mutual typically commands a substantial remuneration package, often including performance-based bonuses, reflecting the strategic importance and responsibility of the position. Such roles offer significant opportunities for professional growth and impact, contributing to the digital evolution of a well-established financial services group.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification (MBA or Master's Degree) NQF 9 is advantageous.

Experience

• 15+ years technology leadership experience within financial services, insurance or a highly regulated industry.
• 8+ years in executive or senior technology leadership positions.
• Demonstrated experience leading broker, intermediary, distribution, customer-facing digital platforms or complex ecosystem platforms.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale technology modernisation, cloud transformation and digital enablement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of short-term insurance operating models, broker distribution and customer servicing ecosystems.
• Experience operating within a large listed corporate environment and aligning business technology strategies to enterprise/group technology frameworks

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Digital Transformation
• Technology & Innovation Management
• Cybersecurity & Risk Management
• Data & Analytics
• Financial and Vendor Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Change Leadership
• Business Acumen

Success Measures

• Delivery of business-aligned technology strategy.
• Growth in broker adoption and satisfaction.
• Increased digital distribution capability and platform utilisation.
• Improved speed-to-market for technology-enabled business initiatives.
• Successful execution of OMI technology strategy aligned to Old Mutual Group standards.
• Secure, resilient and scalable technology platforms supporting business growth.

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Change Management, Current State Assessment, Customer Value Management, Executing Plans, Negotiation, Oral Communications, Policy Development, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Strategic Planning

Competencies

Balances Stakeholders

Builds Effective Teams

Builds Networks

Business Insight

Collaborates

Communicates Effectively

Drives Vision and Purpose

Ensures Accountability

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

15 September 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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