Chief Technology Officer

CTO / Head of Group IT Strategy & Digital Transformation (m/f/d)

About the Opportunity

We are partnering with a leading international financial services group undergoing an ambitious transformation journey across technology, digital banking, data, and operations.

This newly created role is a strategic leadership position reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Management Board. The successful candidate will shape the group's technology and digital transformation agenda while acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This role offers significant visibility and the potential to evolve into a future board-level position.

The Role

The CTO / Head of Group IT Strategy & Digital Transformation will define and drive the organization's IT, data, digital, and transformation strategy across a complex international environment.

This is not a traditional operational IT leadership role. Instead, the focus is on strategy, governance, organizational transformation, and ensuring technology investments support long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the group's technology and digital transformation strategy.
• Identify emerging technologies, innovation opportunities, and modernization initiatives.
• Drive enterprise-wide transformation programs across technology, operations, and customer journeys.
• Support digital banking, process optimization, and automation initiatives.

Technology Governance & Architecture

• Establish IT governance frameworks, policies, and strategic standards.
• Define target architecture principles and modernization roadmaps.
• Oversee complex technology landscapes, including legacy modernization and API-driven ecosystems.
• Ensure alignment between business objectives and technology investments.
• Lead enterprise data strategy and governance initiatives.
• Strengthen data quality, analytics, and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Shape the organization's approach to AI and emerging technologies.
• Develop technology and data operating models that support future growth.

Risk, Compliance & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure alignment with key regulatory frameworks including DORA, BAIT, and MaRisk.
• Oversee technology risk, resilience, outsourcing, and cloud governance.
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board, regulators, and senior stakeholders.
• Guide external service providers and internal teams to ensure delivery aligns with strategic priorities.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive leadership experience in IT Strategy, Technology Transformation, Digital Transformation, or Enterprise Architecture.
• Strong banking or financial services background within a regulated environment.
• Track record of leading large-scale transformation initiatives across complex, multi-entity organizations.
• Experience defining enterprise technology strategies and governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of data governance, AI, operating models, and digital banking transformation.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at Board and C-suite level.
• Strategic mindset combined with a pragmatic, hands-on approach when required.
• Fluency in English is required. German is advantageous but not essential.

What's on Offer

• High-impact leadership role within a growing international financial services group.
• Direct exposure to the CEO and Management Board.
• Opportunity to shape enterprise-wide technology, data, AI, and transformation strategy.
• Long-term career progression with potential future board-level responsibilities.

This opportunity is ideal for a senior technology and transformation leader who can combine strategic vision, governance expertise, and executive influence to drive meaningful change across a complex international organization.