Data & Artificial Intelligence Head - Transaction Banking, CIB

Location: Johannesburg, GP, za

Company Description

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced leader to drive the end-to-end transformation of Transactional Banking (TxB) into an AI-enabled, data-driven business. This role will provide strategic leadership for TxB Data and AI enablement, shaping the function's data and AI agenda, prioritising high-value opportunities, and driving adoption across the value chain. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating data and AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes, enhancing productivity, supporting client growth, strengthening risk management, and enabling innovation. The role also serves as the custodian of data governance, ensuring data quality, regulatory compliance, and the responsible, ethical use of AI across the business.

Key Responsibilities include

• Define and execute a multi-year Data and AI transformation strategy for Transaction Banking, aligning business objectives with Group technology standards and evolving market capabilities.
• Architect and prioritise a portfolio of high-impact AI and data use cases across Trade, Payments, Investor Services, Liquidity and Cash Management to maximise commercial and operational value.
• Lead the redesign and automation of core business processes through AI integration, improving productivity, accelerating decision-making, and enhancing client and employee experiences.
• Develop advanced analytics, client opportunity dashboards, predictive insights, and next-best-action capabilities by combining internal transaction data with external market intelligence.
• Establish and oversee Data and AI governance frameworks, funding models, prioritisation processes, and decision-making forums to ensure business value realisation and delivery excellence.
• Champion Responsible AI principles, data governance, quality, lineage, and regulatory compliance, maintaining the highest standards of ethical data usage and risk management.
• Drive enterprise-wide AI adoption through change management, capability building, literacy programmes, and the embedding of data-driven decision-making across global TxB teams.
• Lead and mobilise multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, product owners, and business stakeholders to deliver the Data and AI roadmap through agile methodologies.
• Partner with CIB, Group Technology, fintechs, and external vendors to develop scalable data infrastructure, evaluate emerging technologies, and strengthen Standard Bank's leadership in digital banking innovation.
• Accountable for the financial stewardship, performance measurement, and benefit realisation of the Data and AI portfolio, while mentoring and developing specialist talent to build sustainable organisational capability.

Qualifications

Qualification: First Degree in Business Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Information Technology, Engineering Sciences Study Direction

Experience Required
Transaction Banking
10+ years in senior executive roles within Financial Services, Digital Transformation, or Data & Analytics. Deep understanding of Transaction Banking products (Payments, Trade, Cash Management) and CIB transaction flows. Demonstrated experience applying AI/Advanced Analytics to deliver measurable business outcomes (productivity, revenue growth, or risk mitigation) in a complex, multi-national environment.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Adopting Practical Approaches and Producing Output
• Challenging Ideas and Developing Strategies
• Convincing People and Resolving Conflict
• Developing Expertise and Upholding Standards
• Interpreting Data and Taking Action
• Team Working and Valuing Individuals

Technical Competencies:

• Agile Concepts, Agile Principles and Agile Planning
• Agile Development and Agile Engineering
• AI Foundations, AI Platforms and AI Lifecycle Management
• Data Architecture, Data Development and Data Ingestion
• Data Discovery, Data Analytics and Statistical & Mathematical Analysis
• Data Governance, Data Compliance and Data Lifecycle Management
• Data Quality and Data Risk Management
• Machine Learning and AI Foundations
• Risk Management, Risk/Reward Thinking and Promote Good Governance, Risk & Control
• Financial Acumen and Financial and Accounting Control
• Financial Industry Regulatory Framework and Data Compliance
• Quality Management and Root Cause Analysis