Chief Digital & Information Officer

at  BDO South Africa

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field. An Honours or Master’s degree or any other relevant post junior degree Diploma/Certificate will be an added advantage.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 10-15 years of experience in IT and digital leadership roles, with a proven track record in digital transformation, IT strategy, and cybersecurity.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Leadership: Strong executive leadership skills with experience in managing cross-functional teams and driving large-scale change initiatives.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics, and emerging digital technologies.
• Business Acumen: Strong business acumen with the ability to align IT and digital initiatives with business objectives and drive revenue growth.
• Communication: Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage at the executive level.

JOB SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Vision
• Innovation and Creativity
• Change Management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Operational Excellence
• Talent Development
• Business Acumen
• Commercially Astute

Strategic Alignment:

• IT Strategy Alignment: Ensure all IT initiatives are strategically aligned with BDO’s overall business objectives to drive performance and growth.
• Operational Efficiency: Lead the implementation of efficient IT systems and processes to reduce operational costs and improve productivity through streamlined operations.
• Cybersecurity and Compliance: Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect the company from data breaches, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and minimize legal and financial risks.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Facilitate the use of data analytics to provide actionable insights for informed decision-making across the organization.
• Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Drive digital transformation and adopt innovative technologies to maintain the firm’s competitiveness in the market. Generate innovative solutions to business problems, continuously seeking to improve systems and processes
• Customer Experience Enhancement: Implement customer-centric technologies to enhance the overall customer experience, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Ensure that IT infrastructure is scalable to support business growth and adaptable to changing market conditions.
• Talent Attraction and Retention: Foster a progressive IT environment that attracts and retains top talent through cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking leadership

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Chief Digital & Information Officer (CIDO) at BDO South Africa is a pivotal executive position responsible for driving digital transformation and overseeing the integration of IT and digital services across the firm. The CIDO will lead the alignment of IT initiatives with the firm’s strategic goals, enhance operational efficiency, and secure the firm’s position as a digital-first business. This role requires a visionary leader capable of harnessing innovative technologies to create new revenue streams, optimize internal processes, and enhance the customer experience.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Alignment:

• IT Strategy Alignment: Ensure all IT initiatives are strategically aligned with BDO’s overall business objectives to drive performance and growth.
• Operational Efficiency: Lead the implementation of efficient IT systems and processes to reduce operational costs and improve productivity through streamlined operations.
• Cybersecurity and Compliance: Implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect the company from data breaches, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and minimize legal and financial risks.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Facilitate the use of data analytics to provide actionable insights for informed decision-making across the organization.
• Innovation and Competitive Advantage: Drive digital transformation and adopt innovative technologies to maintain the firm’s competitiveness in the market. Generate innovative solutions to business problems, continuously seeking to improve systems and processes
• Customer Experience Enhancement: Implement customer-centric technologies to enhance the overall customer experience, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Ensure that IT infrastructure is scalable to support business growth and adaptable to changing market conditions.
• Talent Attraction and Retention: Foster a progressive IT environment that attracts and retains top talent through cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking leadership.

External Strategic Initiatives:

• Digital Services Strategy: Rationalize and revamp internal IT capabilities, creating new digital services that support the firm’s growth and market presence.
• Integration of Digital Services: Consolidate the firm’s disparate digital and technology services into a unified “one BDO Digital” service offering.
• Revenue Growth: Focus on the digitization of service lines to create new revenue streams and drive growth through the amalgamation of existing technology businesses.
• People and Skills Development: Build a sustainable pool of digital expertise to support both client and internal initiatives. Create a safe model for upskilling through internal testing and deployment.
• Market Positioning: Promote BDO as a digital-first business and an authentic advisor of the future.
• Service and Product Rationalization: Sunset redundant tools, platforms, and licenses, while growing key business and new digital services. Drive digitization of service lines such as Digital Audit, Tax, and Advisory.

Leadership and Influence:

• Executive Support: Directly report to the CEO, providing executive support for the digital and technology mandate.
• Exco Representation: Secure a seat at the firm’s highest decision-making level (Exco) to influence leadership and drive digital adoption.
• Service Line Involvement: Ensure CIDO representation in each service line and their operating committees to integrate digital strategies across the firm.

Technology Consolidation and Rollout:

• Strategic Objectives: Define clear strategic objectives for IT and digital services consolidation to achieve economies of scale and enhance service offerings.
• Consolidation Plan: Develop and execute a detailed consolidation plan, outlining steps, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Stakeholder Communication: Ensure transparent communication with all stakeholders to gain buy-in and support for digital initiatives.
• Governance and Compliance: Implement IT governance frameworks to optimize technology use, mitigate risks, and comply with regulatory standards (e.g., IRBA).
• Digitization Roadmap: Conduct a thorough analysis (SWOT) of current business and service lines to define a future digital state and develop a roadmap to achieve it.
• Process Standardization: Standardize processes and practices across IT and digital services to streamline operations and drive efficiency.
• Technology Integration: Consolidate IT systems, applications, and infrastructure to create a cohesive and unified technology offering.
• Organizational Alignment: Rationalize the organizational structure to eliminate redundancies and optimize resource allocation.
• Cultural Integration: Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement by fostering an environment that encourages experimentation and learning.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and drive continuous improvement in digital and IT initiatives.
• Change management: Manage conversion to new applications and systems and drive implementation and adoption in the business.