IT Head

The Head of Information Technology will lead the organization's technology strategy, digital transformation, IT operations, cybersecurity, and governance. The role is responsible for ensuring that technology platforms, infrastructure, and applications support business growth while maintaining full compliance with Saudi regulatory requirements, including SAMA, NCA, PDPL, and CITC frameworks. The incumbent will drive innovation, operational excellence, cyber resilience, and secure technology delivery across the organization. Key Responsibilities 1. IT Strategy & Governance • Develop and execute the organization's IT strategy, digital roadmap, and technology transformation initiatives aligned with business objectives. • Establish and maintain enterprise IT governance, architecture standards, policies, and best practices in accordance with the SAMA IT Governance Framework. • Drive technology innovation, modernization, and continuous improvement across the enterprise. • Lead IT budgeting, resource planning, and technology investment decisions. 2. Infrastructure, Cloud & IT Operations • Lead the design, implementation, and management of cloud and on-premises infrastructure while ensuring compliance with Kingdom data residency requirements under PDPL, CITC, and SAMA regulations. • Ensure high availability, scalability, performance, and security of customer-facing digital platforms and enterprise applications. • Manage enterprise IT operations using ITIL best practices, including Incident, Problem, Change, Configuration, and Service Level Management. • Establish operational KPIs and continuously improve IT service delivery. 3. Enterprise Applications, Core Systems & Integrations • Manage mission-critical business applications and enterprise platforms supporting lending, payments, customer onboarding, and finance operations. • Oversee integrations with SIMAH, Nafath, Absher, SADAD, mada, payment gateways, and SAMA regulatory reporting platforms. • Enable API management and Open Banking capabilities in accordance with the SAMA Open Banking Framework. • Support digital customer journeys, embedded finance solutions, and partner ecosystem integrations. 4. Information Security & Cyber Resilience • Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of cybersecurity controls aligned with the SAMA Cyber Security Framework and NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) and Cloud Cybersecurity Controls (CCC). • Oversee Identity & Access Management (IAM), Security Operations, Vulnerability Management, Security Monitoring, and Incident Response. • Promote Secure-by-Design principles throughout technology delivery. • Partner with the Information Security/CISO function to strengthen enterprise cyber resilience and organizational security awareness. 5. Risk Management, Compliance & Business Continuity • Ensure full compliance with SAMA regulations, PDPL, outsourcing requirements, and applicable technology governance standards. • Develop, maintain, and regularly test Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BCP) capabilities in line with the SAMA Business Continuity Management Framework. • Lead IT readiness for regulatory audits, internal audits, external audits, and SAMA inspections. • Ensure timely remediation and closure of audit findings. 6. Vendor & Technology Partner Management • Manage strategic technology vendors, cloud providers, system integrators, and outsourced service providers. • Oversee vendor selection, due diligence, contract negotiations, SLA governance, performance monitoring, risk assessment, and exit strategies in accordance with SAMA outsourcing regulations. • Optimize vendor performance while maintaining operational resilience and cost efficiency. 7. Data Governance & Analytics • Establish enterprise data governance policies covering data quality, classification, privacy, lifecycle management, and regulatory compliance. • Ensure compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and related regulatory requirements. • Enable analytics, reporting, and data-driven decision-making across Credit, Risk, Finance, Product, Compliance, and Shariah Governance functions. 8. Leadership & People Management • Build, mentor, and lead high-performing IT teams across infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, cloud, and support functions. • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. • Drive workforce planning, capability development, succession