Executive Head: Software Development

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Shape the future of digital finance across Africa. Lead the engineering force behind scalable, secure fintech platforms built for growth.

We are seeking a visionary and technically exceptional Executive Head of Software Development to lead a high-performing engineering function within a fast-scaling fintech environment. This role carries full accountability for technology delivery, architecture, engineering standards, and platform scalability across the organisation.

Operating at both strategic and technical levels, you will define architectural direction, embed engineering excellence, and drive delivery maturity across multiple teams. From SDLC governance to DevOps optimisation, quality assurance alignment, and security compliance, you will ensure reliable, resilient, and enterprise-grade systems that support growth in a regulated landscape.

Our client is a high growth fintech organisation driving digital transformation across African markets. With strong investment in innovation and technology, they offer the opportunity to shape long-term engineering strategy while leading a dynamic and ambitious team.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the full software development lifecycle from architecture and planning to deployment and optimisation

• Define and drive technical strategy across multiple engineering teams

• Provide architectural oversight, code review leadership, and engineering governance

• Embed Agile, Scrum, and DevOps best practices to enhance delivery velocity and quality

• Oversee QA frameworks, testing methodologies, and release standards

• Establish and enforce coding, security, and compliance standards

• Architect scalable, high-availability systems across cloud and clustered environments

• Collaborate with executive leadership to align technology with business growth objectives

What You Bring

• Honours Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (NQF Level 8)

• 10+ years’ experience in .NET software development and SDLC methodologies

• 7+ years’ experience leading engineering or software development teams

• Strong technical capability across .NET, C#, Java, Python, SQL, APIs, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS and Azure

• Deep expertise in cloud infrastructure, HA environments, and scalable architectures

• Experience within fintech, banking, or other regulated industries

• Proven track record designing and delivering enterprise-grade applications

• Strategic leadership mindset with hands-on technical credibility

What Success Looks Like

• Engineering teams operate with clear standards, accountability, and delivery consistency

• Scalable, resilient platforms that support rapid business growth

• Reduced technical debt and improved system performance

• Strong DevOps culture with efficient release cycles

• Robust compliance, security, and governance alignment