Sanlam Group
What will you do?
The Head:IT Business Operations and Products is accountable for leading the platforms, systems, and operations that power Sanlam Corporate’s product and service delivery.
This role ensures operational excellence through the seamless integration of platform management, intelligent automation, workflow optimisation, and process engineering.
The role is central to driving platform evolution, including cloud adoption and modernisation of legacy environments.
It also requires strong expertise in process optimisation, enabling scalable, simplified, and data-driven operations that improve efficiency, client experience, and business performance. This role can be based in CPT or JHB.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Platform and Workflow Management
Oversee the operations of core administration platforms (e.g., MIP, Fundamental), workflow engines) and supporting technologies
Ensure system stability, performance, and availability, with robust production support and incident management
Standardise and centralise workflows, ensuring effective configuration and governance across platforms
Cloud Readiness and Platform Modernisation
Lead platform transformation and cloud readiness across operational systems, aligning to Sanlam’s enterprise cloud strategy
Drive migration of workloads to scalable cloud-based environments, ensuring performance, resilience, and cost-effectiveness
Modernise legacy infrastructure and ensure operational processes are optimised for cloud-native delivery
Process Optimisation and Automation
Lead end-to-end process improvement initiatives across operational areas, embedding continuous improvement practices (e.g., Lean, Kaizen)
Identify and implement automation and intelligent workflow opportunities using tools like UIPath and Automation Anywhere
Simplify and streamline operational processes to reduce errors, improve turnaround times, and eliminate non-value-adding activities
Strategic Execution and Transformation
Execute the multi-year roadmap for business operations and product platforms, including platform consolidation, automation scaling, and operational innovation
Align with Sanlam Corporate’s strategic objectives around digital transformation, client-centricity, and scalable growth.
Embed agile delivery models and DevOps practices to improve execution speed and reliability
Governance, Risk and Compliance
Implement and maintain IT and operational governance frameworks (e.g., ITIL, COBIT, SAFe)
Oversee incident management, risk mitigation, and compliance across operations, ensuring regulatory alignment and audit readiness
Maintain continuity and disaster recovery capabilities across platforms
Leadership and People Development
Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary team, including platform owners, engineers, business analysts, and automation specialists
Promote a strong culture of collaboration, accountability, psychological safety, and personal growth
Drive capability development and succession planning, focusing on T-shaped skills and strategic acumen
Stakeholder and Vendor Management
Partner with business leaders to ensure operational platforms and processes support product and client needs
Manage vendor relationships and service-level performance to deliver consistent value, innovation, and alignment to cloud and automation strategies
Facilitate integrated planning across BAU, projects, and platform enhancements
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing strategic guidance and insights based on data analysis
Technology Evaluation and Innovation
Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies
Evaluate and recommend new tools, platforms, and solutions to enhance performance, availability and drive innovation
Drive the adoption of advanced analytics techniques, such as machine learning and predictive modeling, to gain a competitive advantage
Identify and implement technology improvements and automation opportunities
Collaborate with business units to support digital transformation initiatives
Financial & Vendor Management
Develop and manage the IT operations budget
Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and relationships
Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive operational efficiency
Qualifications and Experience
Matric
Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline
Postgraduate qualification in IT management, digital transformation, or MBA (advantageous)
ITIL 4 Foundation – IT service management
COBIT 2019 Foundation – IT governance
Azure or AWS Solutions Architect – Cloud expertise
SAFe Agilist or SAFe DevOps Practitioner for Agile and DevOps delivery
Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt – For process improvement and optimisation
UiPath / Automation Anywhere Developer – advantageous
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or PMI-ACP – for agile project execution
TOGAF Certified – for platform and architecture modernisation
Strong technical background is a must, with the ability to engage deeply in architectural, operational, and delivery discussions
10+ years in IT operations or platform ownership, with deep expertise in managing and optimising core administration systems and workflow applications across complex operational environments
10+ years in analytics and business intelligence, with a track record of delivering data-driven outcomes that support business goals
5+ years in senior leadership, with proven ability to lead high-performing, cross-functional teams and drive a performance culture
3–5 years hands-on experience in cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or hybrid), including workload migration and optimisation
3–5 years working within Agile, SAFe, and Scrum methodologies, promoting iterative, collaborative delivery
Strong experience in process optimisation, operational transformation, and automation at scale (e.g., UiPath, Automation Anywhere)
Solid understanding of IT and platform architecture, including integration, scalability, and legacy modernisation
Knowledge and Skills
Deep understanding of business operations within financial services or insurance
Large group facilitation and coordinating the bigger picture
Effective written and verbal communication skills are needed, as well as experience in communicating, persuading, and influencing partners
Change leadership, continuous improvement and process management
Exceptional analytical, conceptual, problem-solving and process engineering skills
Technical background and willingness to work agnostically
Excellent stakeholder management skills
Strong decision-making capability
Ability to align with Company/Business strategy
Strategic planning and systems thinking
Core system operations and platform stability (e.g., MIP, Fundamental)
Workflow design and management (e.g. BPM tools)
Automation tools and frameworks (UIPath, Automation Anywhere, Druid AI)
DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks
Cloud platforms (Azure/AWS), infrastructure services, and migration strategies
Data operations and integration awareness (ETL, Datalake/DWH frameworks)
Incident and change management (ITIL, COBIT)
Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe)
Behavioural Competencies
Collaborative and open-minded
Ability to work independently and manage time and tasks according to priority provided
Have integrity and delivery on committed tasks and initiatives
Good communicator, listener, and presenter of ideas verbally and visually
Willing to cross-skill across roles to prioritise business delivery
Inquisitive of IT trends and self-motivated to continuous learning and personal development
Flexible and adaptable – rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
Courage – stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said
Manages complexity – demonstrated ability and proven record to make complex decisions
Ensures accountability – holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
Plans and aligns – planning and prioritising work to meet commitments aligned to organisational goals
Core Competencies
Cultivates Innovation by creating new and better ways for the organisation to be successful
Client Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions
Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
Resilience – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations
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