Head of Information Technology- Real Estate/ Publishing

About the Organisation
Our client is a long-standing Nigerian conglomerate with business interests in printing, publishing, book retail, properties, and emerging ventures, driven by a purpose to deliver service to humanity through profitable and sustainable enterprises. As the organisation enters a new phase of renewal and operational transformation, technology has become a core enabler of efficiency, integration, and service excellence across all subsidiaries.

To support this next stage of growth, the Group is seeking a forward-thinking Head of Information Technology (IT) to lead its digital transformation agenda and strengthen IT operations across the enterprise.

This role is ideal for an IT leader who can blend strategic thinking with hands-on execution—someone who can stabilise today’s systems while designing tomorrow’s digital future for a growing multi-sector group.

The Objectives of the Role

The Head of IT will provide strategic direction, governance, and leadership for all technology initiatives across the Group.
The role is responsible for ensuring that IT systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and business applications effectively support the Group’s efficiency goals and long-term strategy. It combines technology leadership with hands-on operational oversight, making it ideal for a seasoned IT professional who can build, stabilise, and scale systems across a multi-business environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Group IT Strategy and multi-year digital transformation roadmap.
• Establish IT governance frameworks, policies, risk controls, and performance standards across subsidiaries.
• Oversee daily IT operations, infrastructure reliability, helpdesk efficiency, and IT service delivery.
• Ensure secure, scalable, and resilient systems—servers, networks, cloud platforms, business applications, and cybersecurity layers.
• Drive cybersecurity readiness, including monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, and compliance.
• Implement and optimise enterprise applications, automation tools, workflows, and integrated business systems (e.g., ERP, POS, CRM, property systems).
• Strengthen data governance, data quality, reporting, dashboarding, and analytics capabilities for informed decision-making.
• Manage IT budgets, vendor relationships, contracts, SLAs, and value-for-money procurement processes.
• Lead and develop the IT team, promoting a customer-centric, service-oriented, and innovative culture.
• Support large-scale projects such as ERP rollouts, digital platforms, automation initiatives, and technology components of transformation programmes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured using practical, scalable KPIs that align with a turnaround and modernisation mandate:

1. IT Operations & Service Delivery

• Infrastructure uptime of 98–99.5%, including networks, servers, and key business systems.
• Helpdesk ticket resolution within SLA (e.g., 80–90% resolved within 24–48 hours).
• Reduction in downtime incidents across business units quarter-on-quarter.
• Improve user satisfaction score to 80%+ on biannual IT service surveys.

2. Cybersecurity & Risk Management

• Zero major security breaches and timely closure of identified vulnerabilities.
• Completion of quarterly cybersecurity audits with measurable improvements.
• Implementation of security controls (e.g., MFA, backups, endpoint protection) across 100% of critical systems.
• Incident response time reduced by at least 30% within the first year.

3. Digital Transformation & Systems Implementation

• On-time, on-budget delivery of priority digital or ERP projects.
• Adoption rate of new tools (e.g., ERP modules, CRM, workflow automation) by at least 70–80% of target users.
• Reduction in manual processes through automation (e.g., 20–40% fewer manual reports or reconciliations).
• Integration of core systems across subsidiaries within 12–24 months.

4. Data & Analytics Maturity

• Establishment of a central data governance framework within the first 6–12 months.
• Delivery of enterprise dashboards for finance, operations, sales, and management reporting.
• Improvement in data accuracy/consistency by measurable targets (e.g., <5% data error rate in key systems).

5. IT Governance, Compliance & Controls

• 100% compliance with IT policies, data protection requirements, and audit recommendations.
• Completion of annual IT risk assessments and implementation of mitigation plans.
• Documentation of IT SOPs and procedures across all critical processes.

6. Budget, Vendor & Cost Management

• Cost savings of 10–20% through vendor consolidation, renegotiated contracts, or improved procurement.
• Governed technology spends within ±5% of approved annual budget.
• SLA compliance of 90%+ across third-party IT vendors.

7. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Improved team performance scores through training, coaching, and restructuring.
• Defined succession plans for key roles within 12 months.
• 70%+ completion of annual learning and certification plans for team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA or MSc Information Systems) is an added advantage.
• 10–12 years of progressive IT experience, with at least 5 years in senior IT leadership roles.
• Proven experience across digital transformation, IT governance, cybersecurity, infrastructure management, and enterprise systems.
• Previous success supporting a multi-business or holding-company environment is preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, CCNA/CCNP, CISSP, CISM, PMP, or cloud certifications (AWS, Azure) are desirable.
• Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• High integrity, excellent communication, and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced organisation.

What Makes This Role Unique?

• A chance to build and modernise the entire IT landscape of a legacy organisation.
• Drive automation, digital workflows, and technology-enabled efficiency across multiple business units.
• Play a central role in the organisation’s wider transformation journey.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for an IT leader who can blend strategic thinking with hands-on execution—someone who can stabilise today’s systems while designing tomorrow’s digital future for a growing multi-sector group.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should attach their CV and a short statement of interest
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.