The posting
About the company: The client is a credit bureau licensed and regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan. It pioneered credit reporting in the country in 2001. All banks, microfinance institutions, and fintechs in the country use its services.
Role Overview - Head of IT
Job Overview:
The Head of IT is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, governance, security, reliability, and performance of the organization's technology environment.
The incumbent will oversee IT Infrastructure, IT Operations, Database, Software Development and Software Quality Assurance, ensuring that technology systems are secure, scalable, highly available and aligned with business requirements.
The role will lead the development and implementation of the organization's IT strategy, digital transformation initiatives, enterprise applications, and technology platforms while ensuring effective IT governance, cybersecurity, business continuity, and regulatory compliance with business needs.
Job Responsibilities:
- IT Infrastructure / IT Operations Team
- Software Development Team
- Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Team
- Other technology functions as assigned
- Database Management & Data Infrastructure
- The Head of IT will have overall responsibility for the organization's database environment, ensuring the availability, performance, security, integrity, and recoverability of all critical databases.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the Database Administration (DBA) function and database infrastructure.
- Ensure high availability, reliability and optimal performance of production databases.
- Establish standards for database architecture, configuration, maintenance and capacity planning.
- Ensure effective database backup, restoration, replication and disaster recovery mechanisms.
- Ensure databases are appropriately integrated into the organization's Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) framework.
- Monitor database performance, capacity, availability and resource utilization.
- Establish appropriate database security, access controls, privileges and segregation of duties.
- Ensure data integrity, consistency and appropriate controls over critical organizational data.
- Oversee database patching, upgrades, version management and lifecycle planning.
- Establish and monitor database maintenance, health checks and preventive management processes.
- Ensure appropriate database monitoring and alerting mechanisms are in place.
- Work closely with Software Development and SQA teams to ensure efficient database design, queries, stored procedures and application performance.
- Review and approve database changes associated with major application releases.
- Ensure appropriate development, testing and production database environments are maintained.
- Establish standards for database documentation, change management and configuration management.
- Monitor and manage database-related incidents and ensure timely resolution.
- Ensure database capacity planning is aligned with business growth and future technology requirements.
- Coordinate database-related activities with Infrastructure, Development, SQA, Cybersecurity, and business teams.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, information security, and data protection requirements.
IT Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement the organization's IT strategy in alignment with business objectives.
- Establish technology roadmaps covering infrastructure, applications, software development, cybersecurity and digital transformation.
- Lead the IT function and establish appropriate structures, processes, policies, and governance mechanisms.
- Advise senior management on technology investments, emerging technologies, risks and opportunities.
- Prepare and manage the annual IT budget and ensure effective utilization of technology resources.
- Develop technology standards, architecture principles and IT policies.
Software Development
- Lead and oversee the Software Development function and ensure timely delivery of business applications and technology solutions.
- Establish software development methodologies, standards and coding practices.
- Ensure proper requirement gathering, solution design, development, documentation and deployment processes.
- Establish appropriate SDLC, Agile/Scrum or other development frameworks based on organizational requirements.
- Ensure software projects are delivered within agreed scope, timelines, quality standards and budgets.
- Promote scalable, maintainable and secure application architecture.
- Ensure proper version control, source-code management, release management and documentation.
- Oversee integration of internal systems with external platforms, APIs and third-party applications.
- Drive modernization of legacy applications where required.
Software Quality Assurance (SQA)
- Lead the SQA function and establish a robust software quality framework.
- Ensure appropriate testing is conducted throughout the Software Development Life Cycle.
- Establish standards for functional, regression, integration, performance, security, and user acceptance testing.
- Ensure test plans, test cases, test scenarios and defect management processes are properly maintained.
- Monitor software defect rates, severity, resolution timelines and recurring defects.
- Ensure adequate testing before production releases.
- Promote automation of repetitive and regression testing where commercially and technically appropriate.
- Establish quality gates and release criteria for critical applications.
- Work closely with Development, Business and IT Operations teams to improve overall software quality.
IT Infrastructure & Operations
- Oversee IT infrastructure including servers, networks, data centers, cloud platforms, storage, end-user computing and communication systems.
- Ensure high availability, reliability and performance of critical IT services.
- Establish appropriate monitoring, preventive maintenance and capacity management processes.
- Ensure effective incident, problem, change and service management.
- Maintain appropriate disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.
- Ensure defined RTO/RPO requirements are implemented and regularly tested.
- Manage IT vendors, service providers and technology partners.
Cybersecurity & Information Security
- Ensure protection of organizational systems, applications, networks and data.
- Oversee vulnerability management, security monitoring, access controls and security assessments.
- Ensure appropriate security controls are incorporated into software development and infrastructure.
- Coordinate response to cybersecurity incidents and ensure timely remediation.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and industry requirements.
IT Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Establish IT governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and controls.
- Ensure technology operations comply with applicable laws, regulations, organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
- Identify and manage technology-related risks.
- Maintain appropriate IT documentation, inventories, policies and control frameworks.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of audit observations.
- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and technology controls.
Project & Change Management
- Oversee major IT and software development projects from initiation through implementation.
- Establish project priorities based on business value, risk, and available resources.
- Monitor project scope, timelines, budgets, dependencies and risks.
- Ensure proper change management and stakeholder communication.
- Ensure post-implementation reviews are conducted for major technology projects.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor and develop IT, Software Development and SQA teams.
- Establish clear objectives, KPIs and accountability for technology teams.
- Identify skills gaps and develop appropriate training and succession plans.
- Build a culture of innovation, accountability, quality and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective resource planning and optimal utilization of IT personnel.
Database Management & Data Infrastructure
- Oversee the Database Administration (DBA) function and database infrastructure.
- Ensure high availability, reliability, and optimal performance of production databases.
- Establish standards for database architecture, configuration, maintenance and capacity planning.
- Ensure effective database backup, restoration, replication and disaster recovery mechanisms.
- Ensure databases are appropriately integrated into the organization's Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) framework.
- Monitor database performance, capacity, availability and resource utilization.
- Establish appropriate database security, access controls, privileges and segregation of duties.
- Oversee database patching, upgrades, version management and lifecycle planning.
- Establish and monitor database maintenance, health checks and preventive management processes.
- Ensure appropriate database monitoring and alerting mechanisms are in place.
- Review and approve database changes associated with major application releases.
- Establish standards for database documentation, change management, and configuration management.
- Monitor and manage database-related incidents and ensure timely resolution.
- Ensure database capacity planning is aligned with business growth and future technology requirements.
- Coordinate database-related activities with Infrastructure, Development, SQA, Cybersecurity and business teams.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, information security and data protection requirements.
Strategic KPIs:
In addition to operational KPIs, I recommend that the HOD have 5–7 strategic KPIs because this is a senior management position:
- Technology Strategy Execution – achievement of approved annual IT roadmap.
- Digital Transformation – delivery of approved automation/digital initiatives.
- System Availability & Business Continuity – maintaining agreed availability and successful DR capability.
- Software Delivery & Quality – timely delivery of applications with minimal production defects.
- Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance – maintaining required security and compliance standards.
- IT Cost Efficiency – managing technology expenditure within approved budget while identifying efficiencies.
- Business Stakeholder Satisfaction – ensuring IT solutions effectively support business requirements.
Authority & Accountability
The Head of IT will have overall accountability for:
- IT strategy and technology roadmap
- IT infrastructure and operations
- Software Development
- Software Quality Assurance
- Cybersecurity and IT risk
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- Technology projects
- IT budget and technology investments
- IT vendors and service providers
- IT policies, standards and governance
- Performance and development of the IT team
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelors/ Masters degree in Computer Science from a recognized university.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in a relevant field, preferably in the IT/Financial sector.
- Certifications in CCNA, CNSS, Data Center, Network Security.
Aptitude, Competencies & Skills:
- Excellent Leadership & Communication skills.
- Effective Problem-solving skills.
- Critical analytical skills.
- Up-to-date Knowledge of Business technology, software & hardware.
- Ability to take initiative with a proactive approach
- Ability to work under pressure.
Other Details: Experience: 10 years Location: Karachi (On-site) About HR Ways: HR Ways is an award-winning Technical Recruitment Firm helping software houses and IT Product companies internationally and locally to find IT Talent. HR Ways is engaged by 300+ Employers worldwide, ranging from the world's biggest SaaS Companies to the most competitive Startups. We have entities in Dubai, Canada, the US, the UK, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Brazil, and other parts of the world. Join our WhatsApp Channel at https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VamSiLr5fM5fMtAdCS2M to stay updated, or visit www.hrways.co to learn more.
