Chief Information Officer / Head of Technology
Overview
Our client is a leading financial services institution specialising in banking, asset management and securities services. The business operates at scale across complex markets and requires a transformative technology leader to modernise platforms, enhance operational resilience, and advance digital client experience.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Head of Technology will lead all aspects of technology strategy, delivery, operations, cyber security, and data management. The role is responsible for aligning technology investment to business growth and long-term transformation initiatives across trust, custody, asset management, and banking services. This is a newly created role offering the individual a chance to define and shape the business' long term technology strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Strategy & Leadership
* Define and execute a multi-year technology strategy aligned with corporate and regulatory priorities.
* Lead enterprise-wide modernisation initiatives, including cloud adoption, digital workflow transformation, data platform enhancement, and legacy system remediation.
* Build strong executive partnerships across business lines—including trust, custody, asset servicing, investment operations, risk, and finance—to ensure technology enables efficient, scalable, and compliant delivery.
Technology Delivery & Change Execution
* Oversee the development, integration, and lifecycle management of enterprise platforms used for trust banking, custody operations, portfolio administration, real-estate services, and client reporting.
* Establish robust delivery governance for technology programmes, ensuring prioritisation, transparency, and on-time delivery.
* Improve agility by strengthening engineering practices, automation tooling, and vendor-management disciplines.
Operational Resilience & Infrastructure
* Ensure highly resilient, secure, and scalable core infrastructure, networks, and applications.
* Lead resilience, disaster-recovery, and business-continuity planning across domestic and global operations.
* Drive operational excellence by improving uptime, simplifying systems architecture, and reducing technology risk.
Cyber Security & Risk Management
* Own the cyber security strategy and cyber-control framework in line with regulatory standards for the financial sector.
* Oversee the management of cyber threats, identity access management, data protection, and vendor/third-party risk.
* Partner with Compliance, Operational Risk, and Internal Audit to maintain strong technology governance and evidencing.
Data, Analytics & Information Management
* Advance enterprise data strategy, including data governance, metadata management, data quality, and analytics capabilities.
* Support business growth by enabling accurate reporting, regulatory submissions, and client-facing data services.
* Promote responsible and ethical use of data, automation, and emerging technologies.
Leadership & People Management
* Lead and develop a diverse global technology organisation spanning engineering, operations, architecture, security, and programme delivery.
* Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
* Manage technology budgets, cost optimisation initiatives, and the value realisation of major investments.
Required Experience
* Executive-level leadership in a financial institution, preferably in areas such as investment banking, asset management or custody.
* Proven track record delivering large-scale technology transformation—cloud, data platforms, application modernisation, and infrastructure uplift.
* Deep understanding of technology risk, regulatory expectations, and operational-resilience standards within financial services.
* Experience managing large, multi-disciplinary global technology teams and vendor ecosystems.
* Strong background in modern engineering practices, automation, and service-management frameworks.
* Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior business leaders and regulators.
Skills & Attributes
* Strategic thinker able to balance long-term transformation with near-term operational demands.
* Strong communicator with the ability to translate complex technology into business-relevant outcomes.
* Decisive leader with excellent judgement, integrity, and stakeholder-management capabilities.
* Highly resilient, pragmatic, and able to operate effectively in a regulated and risk-sensitive environment.
* Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and technology-enabled client experience.