Senior Manager, IT Planning & Governance at Central Bank of Kenya

Job Summary

• The role holder guides the IT Department through effective IT strategic development, aligning initiatives with budgets, and fostering strong partnerships with IT suppliers. The Senior Manager spearheads techno-financial efficiency by managing financial spend governance, vendor readiness for digital transformation, and leading a team of professionals to advance the Bank’s technological infrastructure, systems, and cyber security governance.

Key Responsibilities

• IT Planning & Strategy: Collaborate with IT leadership to create and execute IT strategies aligned with overall CBK objectives, establishing short- and long-term operating procedures and tracking progress against the technology vision.
• Financial Planning & Governance: Coordinate comprehensive multi-stakeholder technology budgets (Capex and Opex), oversee budget utilization, plan financial governance sessions, and manage end-to-end spending approvals in compliance with contracts and SLAs.
• Vendor & Partner Performance Management: Develop and embed a Partner Governance Framework, establish periodic supplier evaluations and annual business reviews, track SLA compliance, and continuously align support contracts with future roadmap technologies.
• Leadership & Talent Management: Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary team through structured feedback, goal setting, optimal organizational structuring, and process automation.
• Risk, Audit & Compliance: Drive IT audits to ensure compliance with technological best practices and regulations, minimize operational/cybersecurity risks, and monitor KPIs via IT Service Management frameworks (ISO 20000).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Financial Management, or a related discipline (Master’s degree is an added advantage).
• Mandatory professional certification: CGEIT, COBIT, CISM, ITIL, PMP, or an equivalent recognized certification.
• Additional certifications in IT, Financial Management, Procurement, or Contract Management represent an added advantage.

Experience & Technical Competencies

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience in IT Planning and Partner Governance in a complex environment, including at least 3 years in a senior leadership or management role within central banking, financial services, government, telecommunications, or regulatory institutions.
• Advanced financial knowledge, business acumen, and a strong background in IT budgeting processes, contract management, IT infrastructure design, and project management methodologies.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, conflict resolution, analytical, and presentation skills, coupled with a solid understanding of ITIL processes.