Executive Director of Technology Operations

Role summary

The Executive Director of Technology Operations will oversee the day-to-day and strategic management of technology operations in a financial services environment. The position is accountable for making sure platforms, infrastructure, applications, cybersecurity, data environments, and operating processes all work together to support business priorities while meeting expectations for security, stability, scale, and regulatory compliance.

This leader will act as the connection point between technology strategy and execution, helping shape operational excellence, digital change, resilience, and collaboration across teams to enable growth and innovation.

Technology operations strategy and execution

Build and put into practice technology operations plans that support business goals and the needs of a financial services organization. Convert digital transformation and technology strategy into practical operating plans, strengthen governance, and improve execution across applications, infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, and service delivery.

Program and portfolio oversight

Lead enterprise technology programs, transformation efforts, and operational projects. Manage budgets, resources, and priorities so investments deliver measurable value, and provide leadership with clear reporting on performance, risk, and delivery progress.

Process improvement and governance

Create and refine operating policies, standards, and governance controls for technology teams. Apply strong practices across SDLC, DevOps, Agile delivery, IT service management, and operational management. Use automation, standardization, and process redesign to raise efficiency while staying aligned with internal controls and regulatory obligations.

Infrastructure, cloud, and service operations

Direct enterprise infrastructure, cloud platforms, applications, networks, and support operations. Ensure essential financial systems remain highly available, reliable, high-performing, and able to scale. Strengthen monitoring, incident response, service management, business continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience planning.

Cybersecurity, risk, and compliance

Work closely with cybersecurity, risk, and compliance teams to protect systems, applications, and financial data. Identify and reduce operating risks, maintain alignment with security standards and regulatory requirements, and set up escalation and incident response procedures.

Data, analytics, and performance tracking

Define and monitor KPIs, SLAs, service metrics, and operational performance measures. Use reporting and analytics to improve technology operations, build executive dashboards, and guide continuous improvement based on business and service insights.

Cross-functional collaboration

Partner with engineering, product, cybersecurity, data, finance, compliance, and business stakeholders to ensure technology operations support company strategy and customer needs. Help drive technology-enabled initiatives and coordinate with distributed global teams.

Leadership and team development

Lead high-performing technology operations teams, strengthen leadership capability, and support succession planning. Set clear standards for operational excellence and encourage a culture of accountability, innovation, teamwork, and ongoing improvement.

Education and experience

A bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree, MBA, or advanced technology qualification is preferred.

The role typically requires 18+ years of experience in technology operations, IT management, engineering operations, or related functions, including at least 8+ years in senior leadership. Prior leadership in financial services, banking, insurance, investment, fintech, or other regulated industries is important, along with proven capability in digital transformation, cloud operations, cybersecurity, technology governance, and large-scale delivery.