Information Technology Governance Specialist at Optimal Growth Technologies

Role Purpose:

• The Technology Governance Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring that technology operations, processes, and controls are reliable, compliant, and aligned with the organisation's strategic objectives. This role acts as a bridge between technology, audit, risk, and compliance teams — providing independent assurance that technology services are well-governed, risks are managed proactively, and value is delivered consistently to the business.
• You will bring a balance of analytical depth, governance discipline, and relationship-building — ensuring governance is not just about compliance, but also about strengthening trust and improving outcomes across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Assurance & Risk Oversight

• Lead periodic assurance reviews on critical technology services, programs, and vendors.
• Evaluate adherence to IT governance frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ISO 27001, ITIL, NIST).
• Identify key technology risks, control gaps, and operational vulnerabilities.
• Partner with Risk and Compliance teams to define mitigation and remediation plans.

Policy & Control Management

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of IT policies and control frameworks.
• Ensure all technology domains (infrastructure, applications, data, cybersecurity, and vendor management) have effective control coverage.
• Track and report control performance metrics and compliance scores.

Governance Reporting & Insights

• Prepare governance and assurance dashboards for executive and board-level review.
• Translate complex assurance findings into clear, actionable insights for leadership teams.
• Maintain a transparent pipeline of open audit, risk, and assurance items.

Collaboration & Influence

• Work closely with technology leaders, risk owners, and external auditors to align on control effectiveness and audit readiness.
• Build a culture of accountability and learning through constructive assurance — focusing on partnership, not policing.
• Promote awareness of governance, risk, and compliance principles across the organisation.

Key Competencies:

• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Ability to dissect complex issues and identify root causes with clarity.
• Strong Governance Acumen: Deep knowledge of technology control frameworks, risk management, and compliance standards.
• Communication & Influence: Skilled in engaging senior stakeholders and translating technical assurance concepts into business value.
• Integrity & Independence: Able to deliver objective assurance while maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Passion for using assurance as a tool for driving operational excellence and innovation.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline (Master's preferred).
• 7+ years' experience in IT Governance, Risk, Assurance, or Internal Audit roles.
• Certifications preferred: COBIT, ITIL, CISA, CRISC, or ISO (27001/ 20000-1).
• Demonstrated success in conducting assurance reviews or implementing IT control frameworks in complex, cross-functional environments.