Head of Technology Solutions

PURPOSE

The South African payments industry is transitioning from batch to real-time processing. This shift requires new technical capabilities and people who can design AND deliver technical solutions not just draw diagrams.
The Head of Technology Solutions is a newly created role that unifies Architecture, Modernisation, and Technical Delivery capability under single leadership. This role owns the BUILD pillar of the CIO Division ensuring PayInc has both the technical design capability and delivery muscle to develop new payment products and modernise existing systems.
This role focuses on technical solutioning architecture, system design, and build. It works in close partnership with Business teams who own requirements, business analysis, and process design. Neither function works in isolation. Business defines the ‘what’ and ‘why’; Technology Solutions designs the ‘how’ and delivers it. Success requires strong collaboration, not territorial ownership.
This role requires an individual who thinks strategically, designs pragmatically, engages stakeholders effectively, and ensures solutions ship. The focus is on outcomes payment capabilities that work.

You will engage with the following stakeholders:

Chief Information Officer and CIO Manco
Business teams  – CRITICAL partnership for joint solutioning
Business Analysts  – requirements and business process inputs
Head of Payments Services –  handover and ongoing collaboration
Head of Platform Enablement –  infrastructure collaboration
Head of Operations –  handover to operations
Executives and Board (as required)
Customer banks and financial institutions – technical authority sessions
Industry sessions and working groups –  technical standards, industry direction
Reserve Bank of South Africa –  technical aspects of regulatory requirements
Technology vendors and solution partner

Your key responsibilities include:

Technical Solution Architecture & Design
Provide technology vision and direction for PayInc’s payments platform evolution
Define and own the technical architecture for payment systems (real-time and batch)
Lead technical solution design for new payment products and capabilities
Work with Business teams to translate requirements into technical solutions
Ensure architecture supports real-time, high-availability, and sovereign readiness requirements
Evaluate and recommend technology approaches (build vs buy, cloud vs on premises)
Maintain technology roadmap aligned with business strategy
Chair technical design authority and architecture governance
Stakeholder & Industry Engagement
Act as subject matter expert in payments technology and real-time capabilities
Lead Technical Authority sessions with participating banks
Represent PayInc in industry technical working groups and industry forums
Work with banks and stakeholders to understand technical requirements and constraints
Support SARB engagement on technical aspects of regulatory requirements
Ensure stakeholder engagement is collaborative and builds industry confidence
Technical Delivery & Modernisation
Drive the development of real-time payments clearing and settlement capabilities
Lead modernisation of legacy batch systems to modern technology stack
Ensure solutions are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards
Establish solution delivery practices, standards, and quality gates
Manage the transition from design to build to run
Platform & Integration
Drive API-first and integration-ready architecture
Ensure platform portability and sovereign readiness
Collaborate with Platform Enablement on infrastructure requirements
Define integration patterns and standards for participant connectivity
Leadership & Team Development
Build and lead a high-performing solutions team
Develop a manager layer to create succession depth
Build real-time payments and modern architecture skills across the team
Foster a culture of solution thinking, quality, and continuous improvement
Collaborate effectively with RUN teams to ensure smooth handovers
Identify trends and opportunities; communicate and escalate as required

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE
Essential

Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or related field
Deep understanding of payments systems architecture (real-time and batch)
Strong solution design and architecture capability
Understanding of integration patterns (API, messaging, events)
Knowledge of cloud platforms and modern architecture patterns
Superior communication and presentation skills
Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Preferred

Post-graduate qualification or MBA
TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification
Cloud architecture certifications
Knowledge of ISO 20022 and payment messaging standards
Experience with South African payments ecosystem

EXPERIENCE
Essential

15+ years in technology roles with progressive responsibility
8+ years in senior technical leadership could be solution architecture, technical delivery, engineering leadership, or technical programme management
Track record of SHIPPING complex solutions in regulated environments, not just designing them
Proven experience in payments, banking, or financial services
Experience leading and developing high-performing technical teams
Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and industry bodies
Comfortable being accountable for delivery outcomes and deadlines

Preferred

Experience with real-time payment systems
Experience with FMI / market infrastructure environments
Experience leading technology transformation programmes
Experience with South African payments ecosystem

Apply via company website ( https://www.bankservafrica.com/ ) or

payinc.hua.hrsmart.com