Head of Strategy, Business Engagement and Change

The Head of Strategy, Business Engagement and Change directly enables the CDAIO to fulfil its mandate: to manage, steward, and activate the organisation's data and AI capabilities to deliver measurable business value by leading the strategic design, business engagement, and change execution capabilities of the CDAIO.

• Enterprise Strategy Ownership: Own the CDAIO's overarching strategy, including its formulation, evolution, communication, and alignment to Absa Group's broader strategic agenda.
• Business Engagement and Needs Championing: Serve as the primary interface between the CDAIO and Absa's business domain executives, translating business needs into CDAIO delivery priorities.
• Change Framework Design and Governance: Design, implement, and maintain the CDAIO's strategic change frameworks against global best practice.
• Governance Effectiveness: Transform CDAIO governance forums from reporting mechanisms into decision-led bodies.
• Portfolio Value Identification and Communication: Define, measure, evidence, and communicate the expected and realised benefits of the CDAIO's full portfolio.
• Programme Prioritisation and Capacity: Evaluate, sequence, and rebalance portfolio demand based on strategic alignment.
• Enterprise Embedment and Training: Own the design of the CDAIO's Embedment and Training Framework.
• Horizon Scanning and Strategic Intelligence: Monitor the external data and AI transformation landscape.

• Academic: Postgraduate degree (Masters) in Strategy, Business Administration, Organisational Development, Information Management, or equivalent.
• Change Management: Professional certification in a recognised change management framework.
• Programme / Portfolio Governance: Professional certification in programme or portfolio management.
• Strategy: Evidence of formal strategy training or certification from tier 1 management consulting firms.
• Data and AI Literacy: Completion of a recognised AI and data literacy programme (Advantageous).
• Work Experience: 15–20 years of progressive leadership experience in strategy or transformation functions.
• Knowledge and Skills: Multi-year AI and data strategy design; value realisation frameworks; structured engagement model design.