Head of Development

**Position Overview**:
**Key Responsibilities**:

- **Leadership & Strategy**:
- Lead and manage the **development teams**, including software developers, technical architects, and project managers, ensuring effective collaboration and high performance.
- Develop and implement the **software development strategy** aligned with the bank’s goals and digital transformation initiatives.
- Collaborate with executive leadership and business stakeholders to define the bank’s development roadmap and ensure alignment with overall business objectives.
- **Banking Software Development**:
- Ensure software solutions are **secure**, **scalable**, and **compliant** with banking industry standards, regulations, and security policies (e.g., **PCI-DSS**, **SAMA**, **NCA**).
- Implement development best practices to ensure high-quality code, efficient software architecture, and timely delivery of solutions.
- **Project Management & Delivery**:
- Manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring that deadlines are met, and that deliverables are within budget and scope.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, business analysts, and IT infrastructure teams, to deliver integrated solutions.
- Establish clear **KPIs** and success metrics to measure the performance of development teams and project outcomes.
- **Technology & Innovation**:
- Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in the **banking**, **fintech**, and **software development** industries to ensure the bank’s technology solutions remain competitive.
- Evaluate and recommend new technologies, platforms, and tools to enhance development processes and improve product quality (e.g., **cloud computing**, **AI**, **blockchain**, **machine learning**).
- Lead initiatives to migrate legacy systems to modern, **cloud-based**, or **microservices architecture** to improve flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- **Security & Compliance**:
- Ensure compliance with **regulatory frameworks** like **SAMA regulations**, **ISO 27001**, **GDPR**, and other applicable local and international banking regulations.
- **Team Development & Management**:
- Lead recruitment efforts to build and maintain a **highly skilled development team** capable of delivering cutting-edge banking technology solutions.
- Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities for team members to ensure continuous growth and a high level of expertise.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, set development goals, and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- **Collaboration with Other Departments**:
- Coordinate with **business analysts** to understand business requirements and translate them into technical specifications and development plans.
- **Client & Stakeholder Communication**:
- Provide regular updates to executive leadership on the progress of development projects, risks, and opportunities.
- Engage with clients (internal business units or external customers) to ensure the bank’s products meet user needs and expectations.
- **Budget and Resource Management**:
- Manage the development budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively across various projects.
- Implement cost-effective development practices without compromising quality or performance.
- Optimize the use of both internal and external resources to meet project deadlines and maximize output.

**Key Skills and Qualifications**:

- **Education**:
- Bachelor's degree in **Computer Science**, **Information Technology**, **Software Engineering**, or a related field.
- A **Master’s degree** or **MBA** is a plus.
- **Experience**:
- At least 10 years of experience in **software development**, with 5+ years in leadership roles in the **banking** or **financial services** industry.
- Proven experience in **agile software development methodologies** (Scrum, Kanban, etc.), with the ability to manage and lead **cross-functional teams**.
- Hands-on experience with banking systems, such as **core banking platforms**, **payment systems**, and **digital banking** solutions.
- Experience in managing large-scale development projects and teams, with a track record of delivering high-quality software products.
- Strong experience in **cloud platforms** (AWS, Azure), **API integration**, and modern **development frameworks** (e.g., **Java**, **.NET**, **JavaScript**).
- **Technical Skills**:
- Experience with **database management systems** (e.g., **SQL**, **NoSQL**, **Oracle**, **MongoDB**).
- Familiarity with **microservices architecture**, **DevOps practices**, and **continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD)** pipelines.
- Knowledge of **cloud computing platforms** (AWS, Azure) and **cloud-based development** (Serverless, Containers, Kubernetes).
- **Security & Compliance Knowledge**:
- Knowledge of banking and financial services regulations (e.g., **SAMA**, **PCI-DSS**, **GDPR**, **ISO 27001**).
- Strong understandi