VP, IT Strategy and Architecture

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Develop and maintain a comprehensive, multi-year IT strategy that is tightly aligned with the company’s business vision, priorities, and growth objectives.
Ensure the technology strategy directly enables business outcomes, operational excellence, and competitive differentiation.
Lead the enterprise innovation agenda, with a strong focus on AI, automation, data-driven capabilities, and next-generation digital experiences.
Balance long-term strategic planning with agile, iterative incubation efforts that accelerate value creation.

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Governance

Oversee the Enterprise Architecture function, ensuring cohesive architectural standards, frameworks, and policies across the organization.
Establish and maintain architectural guidelines that promote interoperability, scalability, security, and modernization.
Partner with technology and business leaders to ensure architectural decisions support business outcomes and future state capabilities.
Owning the long-term technology estate.

Innovation, Incubation & Emerging Technology

Identify, evaluate, and incubate emerging technologies, especially in AI, data platforms, and integration ecosystems to drive competitive advantage.
Eg Tech Radar.
Foster a culture of experimentation, continuous learning, and responsible innovation.

People Leadership & Talent Development

Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of technologists, architects, and engineers across retail.
Build organizational capability in architecture and modern technology practices.
Champion career development, technical excellence, and a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

Executive Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as a brilliant communicator who can translate complex technology concepts into clear, compelling narratives for all audiences—from engineers to executives.
Partner closely with business leaders to co-create technology-enabled strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and transformation.
Represent IT Strategy & Innovation in executive forums, steering committees, and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, innovation, or related domains.
• Evidence of having delivered technology strategy at scale (10,000 people plus).
• Track record of having implemented AI-driven product engineering practices at scale (e.g., spec-driven development).
• Lead teams of 20+ architects.
• Financial management of $100m+ technology third-party spend.
• 5+ years of Financial Services/Insurance experience (preferred).
• 5+ years of FinTech/start-up/private equity experience (preferable).
• 5+ years of consulting experience (preferable).