IT Strategy & Value Specialist

Job Purpose Statement

The IT Strategy & Value Specialist is responsible for supporting enterprise-wide IT strategy formulation, investment analysis, and benefits realization. This role acts as a strategic advisor and pre-project analyst — translating ideas into compelling business cases, financial models, and outcome projections that guide executive decision-making. The role also tracks benefits realization of approved initiatives, ensuring alignment between IT investments and customer-centric value creation.

This role focuses on harnessing market intelligence, data analytics, and modern storytelling techniques — including video and visual dashboards — to communicate strategic insights and support executive engagement, thereby contributing to the overall success of the IT business planning function.

Key Accountabilities (Duties and Responsibilities)

• Strategic Planning Support (30%): Evaluate IT proposals and business cases, providing insight on feasibility, financial return, and strategic alignment. Collaborate with stakeholders to shape initiatives before they advance to project execution. Present insights to senior leadership and ICT governance forums.
• Performance Measurement & Value Realization (30%): Define KPIs, dashboards, and benefit tracking models for IT initiatives. Track post-implementation performance, linking delivery outcomes to original business case assumptions. Deliver executive reporting to show return on technology investments.
• Market Trends & Research Intelligence (20%): Continuously analyse trends in technology, financial services, and customer behaviour. Produce regular briefs and forecasts to inform IT strategy and foster a forward-looking, customer-obsessed approach.
• Data Storytelling & Visualization (10%): Build executive-ready presentations and dashboards using tools like Power BI and Tableau. Use video and digital storytelling to communicate complex insights effectively and persuasively.
• Stakeholder & Strategic Engagement (10%): Engage cross-functional teams including Finance, Strategy, and Business Leadership to ensure alignment of IT investments. Influence enterprise priorities with evidence-backed recommendations.

Job Specifications

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Business Administration, or a related field. Certification or training in ITIL, Lean, Six Sigma, or project management methodologies is desirable.
• Professional: 2–4 years of experience in technology strategy, business analysis, enterprise planning or performance management within the financial services sector. Proficiency in analytics platforms (Power BI, Tableau, Excel) and business case modeling.
• Desired Skills:
  • Financial modeling (NPV, ROI, Payback)
  • Market research and trend analysis
  • Stakeholder engagement and executive presentation
  • Data storytelling and video presentation skills
  • Strong writing and synthesis skills.

Technical Competencies

• IT Service Management (ITSM): Expertise in frameworks like ITIL and COBIT.
• Performance Monitoring: Proficient in using tools to track IT performance, analyze trends, and create insightful dashboards and reports.
• Data Analysis: Skilled in data manipulation, trend analysis, and creating clear reports using tools like Excel or other analytics software.
• IT Infrastructure: Basic understanding of core IT infrastructure components.
• Automation: Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell) to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
• Project Management: Familiarity with Agile and Waterfall methodologies for managing IT delivery projects.

Supporting Competencies

• Process Improvement: Knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma for optimizing IT service delivery.
• IT Security: Awareness of fundamental IT security principles to ensure secure service delivery.
• Vendor Management: Expertise in managing vendor relationships and ensuring adherence to SLAs.

Behavioral Competencies

• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) to effectively communicate with technical teams, business stakeholders, and management. Ability to build strong relationships and manage expectations.
• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve performance issues.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of business processes and how IT services support business objectives.
• Continuous Learning: A commitment to staying up to date with the latest IT trends and technologies.