Head of Technology Solutions at BankservAfrica

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