• The Head, IT Software Engineering leads the software engineering function within the Bank, overseeing the design, development, and delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure banking applications.
• The role ensures alignment of software solutions with business strategy and regulatory requirements while championing modern engineering practices, DevSecOps, and digital transformation.
• The incumbent manages engineering teams across various technology stacks and is responsible for software quality, timely delivery, cost management, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and implement the software engineering strategy in alignment with the Bank’s technology and business objectives.
• Work closely with Head, IT Delivery to prioritize engineering initiatives and allocate resources effectively.
• Drive adoption of modern software engineering practices, including agile methodologies, DevSecOps, automated testing, and cloud-native development.
• Contribute to the Bank’s digital transformation roadmap through innovative software solutions.

Software Development & Delivery

• Oversee architecture, design, development, and deployment of banking applications, ensuring high performance, scalability, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage software development life cycles for projects, ensuring timely delivery, quality standards, and budget adherence.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, secure coding practices, and code review processes.
• Collaborate with solution architects to ensure software architecture meets enterprise standards and business requirements.
• Oversee integration of applications with core banking systems, digital channels, and third-party services (e.g. fintech partners, payment gateways).

People Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and grow high-performing software engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Manage team capacity, career development, and succession planning for software engineers.
• Collaborate with HR on recruitment and retention strategies for critical software engineering talent.

Quality Assurance & Governance

• Ensure rigorous software testing practices, including automated testing, performance testing, and security testing.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance, Security, and Risk teams to ensure all software meets regulatory and internal control requirements.
• Maintain documentation for applications, codebases, and engineering processes.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Serve as technical advisor to business units on feasibility, cost estimation, and solution options.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and partners supporting software development.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage software engineering budgets, controlling costs while ensuring quality and innovation.
• Evaluate cost-benefit of in-house development vs. third-party solutions.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in banking, fintech, and software engineering.
• Introduce innovative solutions to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and competitive differentiation.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in processes, tools, and technologies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Delivery of projects on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards.
• Software defect rates and issue resolution timelines.

Developer productivity and velocity metrics.

• Adoption rate of new technologies and engineering practices.
• Customer and business stakeholder satisfaction with software solutions.
• Staff retention and skill development metrics.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Master’s Degree or MBA (added advantage).

Experience

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in software engineering roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale software development projects.
• Strong background in enterprise application development, microservices architecture, APIs, cloud technologies, and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience working with core banking systems, digital channels, payment systems, and regulatory compliance in Nigeria.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in multiple programming languages (e.g. Java, C#, .NET, Python, JavaScript, etc.)
• Strong understanding of architectural patterns (e.g. microservices, event-driven architecture).
• Experience with modern software development practices (CI/CD, DevSecOps, containers, cloud-native development).
• Knowledge of API design and integration strategies.
• Good understanding of cybersecurity principles in software development.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• High problem-solving ability and analytical thinking.
• Business acumen with a strategic mindset.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

Other Requirements

• Sound knowledge of Nigerian banking regulations, CBN guidelines, and data privacy laws.
• Availability for occasional travel across Nigeria and internationally for conferences or vendor engagements.