SVP, Chief Technology Officer

Job Summary

The SVP, Chief Technology Officer role in Tiqmo is responsible for spearheading our technological initiatives and strategies in Kuwait. This role is paramount in driving the technological vision and strategy for the company, ensuring that Tiqmo stays at the forefront of the Fintech industry.

As the SVP, Chief Technology, the role will oversee the company's technology operations and development teams, ensuring that our technology infrastructure scales and aligns with business goals. The role will be responsible for the strategic planning of technology advancements, overseeing the development of new tech initiatives, and maintaining the security of our digital assets. It also involves leading and inspiring the talented technology team, driving digital transformation and shaping the technological future of our company.

Primary Duties and Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Lead the organization through digital transformation initiatives to develop best-in-class digital production and IT strategies that support employees and customers.
• Develop and implement a cohesive technology strategy that aligns with the company's overall business goals.
• Lead the technology department, setting objectives and strategies for each team member.
• Evaluate and implement new systems and infrastructure to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and data services.
• Ensure technologies are used efficiently, profitably and securely.

Team Management and Development

• Lead, motivate, and support a large team of technology professionals across different units.
• Establish, oversee, and coordinate the training and development of the technology team to enhance their capabilities and performance.
• Develop and manage an annual and quarterly technology budget and ensure resources are used efficiently to maximize investment in technology.
• Provide strong leadership and guidance to the technology teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Technology Operations and Infrastructure Management

• Ensure the continuous delivery of technical services through oversight of service level agreements with end users and monitoring of systems, security, and infrastructure.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the company's IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring that they meet the needs of the business.
• Oversee the design and implementation of robust technical architectures, ensuring alignment with business requirements, security standards and industry's best practices.
• Make infrastructure decisions, ensuring technical excellence, versatility, safety and soundness, resiliency and scalability in the architecting and engineering of product solutions, as well as managing all technical delivery.
• Establish and maintain efficient and reliable technology operations, including systems infrastructure, network, data management and security protocols for high performance, uptime and data integrity.
• Implement best practices for scalability, data security, and data recovery.

Innovation and Research

• Drive innovation in the sector through the adoption of new technologies, staying ahead of the curve on emerging industry trends.
• Accelerating innovation initiatives to enhance our products, services and processes for optimum efficiency.
• Collaborate with external technology partners and advisors to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions into the company.
• Oversee research and development projects to foster innovation within the technology department.
• Stay aware of the latest tech advancements to provide strategic insights and recommendations for maintaining our technological edge.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure that all technology practices adhere to regulatory standards and security guidelines.
• Oversee risk management processes in the technology department to identify vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and ensure continuity of operations.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of disaster recovery and IT security failure plans.
• Develop and implement disaster recovery plans and business continuity strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate technology strategy to partners and senior leadership team
• Manage relationships with technology vendors and partners, evaluating and selecting the most suitable and most cost-effective solutions and services.
• Work closely with the Marketing, Revenue, and Customer Operations departments to ensure the technology meets external customer and market needs.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and public meetings, enhancing Tiqmo's visibility in the technology community.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or Master's degree) in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field;
• Proven experience as a CTO, Vice President of Technology, or similar leadership role in a technology-driven environment, preferably in a FinTech or financial services company in Kuwait.
• Demonstrated success in managing IT infrastructure, IT budgets, software development and systems architecture.
• Certifications in cloud technologies: certifications from providers like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure are advantageous
• Proficiency in risk mitigation and data security of digital assets.
• Extensive knowledge of industry-leading technology systems and software, software development methodologies, infrastructure management, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Proven track record of successfully leading large-scale technology projects, delivering results on time and within budget.
• Strong ability to conduct technological research and analysis
• Excellent communication skills and organizational abilities
• High standard of strategic thinking and problem-solving aptitude, with the ability to leverage data and insights for informed decision-making.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to command respect and to create a sense of community amongst the members of the project teams.