Head of Innovation

Company

NMB Bank Plc

Job Location

Head Office

Employment Type

Full-Time

Number of Positions

1 Position

Opening Date

01 July 2026

Closing Date

15 July 2026

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Job Purpose

The Head of Innovation will lead and drive the bank’s innovation agenda by developing and executing a comprehensive innovation strategy that positions NMB Bank as a leader in financial services.

The role is responsible for fostering a culture of innovation, delivering customer-centric solutions, driving digital transformation, improving operational efficiency, strengthening competitive advantage, and overseeing the Bank’s Enterprise Architecture to ensure technology investments align with business objectives.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Innovation Strategy

• Develop and continuously refine the bank-wide innovation strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Establish and manage a multi-year innovation roadmap.
• Identify and prioritize high-impact innovation opportunities that drive:
  • Revenue growth
  • Cost optimization
  • Competitive advantage
• Build and manage a structured innovation pipeline.
• Monitor macroeconomic, technology, and industry trends to identify emerging opportunities.
• Define innovation metrics and performance indicators.
• Ensure all innovations are customer-centric by integrating customer journey mapping and experience design.
• Drive disruptive innovation through the development of new products, services, and business models.

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2. Enterprise Architecture Strategy

• Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision and target state.
• Develop technology roadmaps supporting:
  • Scalability
  • Resilience
  • Integration
  • Digital innovation
• Align business strategy, IT investments, and enterprise architecture.
• Lead modernization initiatives, including:
  • Cloud adoption
  • API strategy
  • Microservices
  • Data platforms
• Establish governance frameworks for enterprise architecture.

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3. Fintech & Ecosystem Strategy

• Develop and implement fintech partnership and ecosystem strategies.
• Identify and evaluate strategic fintech partnerships and alliances.
• Build collaboration models such as:
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Innovation accelerators
  • Venture programmes
  • API integrations
  • Embedded finance
• Develop open banking and platform strategies.
• Monitor global fintech trends and integrate innovative solutions into the bank.

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4. Strategy Implementation

• Translate innovation strategy into measurable initiatives.
• Oversee execution of innovation programmes across departments.
• Promote collaboration across business units.
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, accountability, and continuous improvement.

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5. Research & Development

• Identify and assess emerging technologies and market trends.
• Lead ideation, experimentation, prototyping, and commercialization of innovative solutions.
• Collaborate with:
  • Internal business units
  • Fintech companies
  • Academic institutions
  • Industry partners
• Validate new concepts through pilot projects and research.
• Promote data-driven decision-making.
• Optimize research and development resources to maximize innovation outcomes.

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6. Financial Management

• Prepare and manage the Innovation Department budget.
• Develop an innovation investment framework.
• Evaluate and approve innovation project funding.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure financial discipline.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining service quality.
• Promote lean and agile delivery models.

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7. People Management

• Build and sustain a high-performing innovation team.
• Coach and mentor team leaders.
• Foster a collaborative, motivating, and performance-driven work environment.

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Knowledge & Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

Strategic & Business Skills

• Strategy development and execution
• Innovation roadmap development
• Banking products and operations
• Regulatory knowledge
• Digital transformation
• Customer experience management
• Industry and market analysis

Innovation & Technology

• Design Thinking
• Lean Startup methodology
• Agile methodologies
• Enterprise Architecture
• Emerging technologies
• Digital platforms
• Open Banking
• API ecosystems
• Platform business models

Technical Skills

• Application, data, and infrastructure architecture
• Technology strategy alignment
• Governance frameworks
• Research and innovation methodologies

Professional Skills

• Advanced analytical skills
• Report writing
• Presentation skills
• Planning and organization
• Documentation
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and decision-making

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Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
  • Business Administration
  • Finance
  • Information Technology
  • Engineering
  • Or a related field.

Added Advantages

• Master’s Degree (MBA or equivalent) in:
  • Business Administration
  • Innovation
  • Technology Management
  • Digital Transformation
• Postgraduate qualification or certification in Banking.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • Innovation Management
  • Agile / SAFe
  • Design Thinking
  • TOGAF
  • Project Management

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Experience

Applicants should have:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in:
  • Innovation
  • Digital Transformation
  • Business Strategy
  • Banking or Financial Services
• Proven experience leading innovation initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Experience with:
  • Enterprise Architecture
  • Digital platforms
  • Emerging technologies
• Experience managing fintech partnerships or innovation ecosystems is an added advantage.
• Strong managerial, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging trends and innovation opportunities.

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Equal Opportunity Statement

NMB Bank Plc is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender balance in the workplace.

Female candidates and persons living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Important Notice

NMB Bank Plc does not charge any application or recruitment fees.

Applicants are advised to disregard any request for payment related to this recruitment process.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY