Head of Business Innovation at a Leading Pan-African Technology Solutions Provider - Stretch-it Concepts

Stretch-it Concepts - Our client is a leading, pan-African technology solutions provider, committed to driving growth and transformation through innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of the African market. Their portfolio encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including FinTech, cloud services, and enterprise applications. As they continue to evolve, innovation is the core of our strategy to maintain market leadership and create unprecedented value for our clients and stakeholders.

They are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Business Innovation

Location: Lagos (with travel as required)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary

• We are seeking a visionary and dynamic Head of Business Innovation to architect and executeinnovation strategy. This role is pivotal in transforming our business, driving revenue growth, and ensuring the futureproofing of our operations.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing key technological assets, operationalising our Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy, and fostering strategic alignments to create a cohesive and forward-thinking innovation ecosystem.
• This is a senior leadership position that requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, technical expertise, and commercial acumen.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leaderships Innovation Management:

• Develop, communicate, and implement the overarching Business Innovation Strategy for the companyacross all business units.
• Establish and lead a centralised "Digital Enablement Department" (or IT Support Department) to provide proactive, strategic technology support that empowers employee productivity and drives internal digital transformation.
• Identify, evaluate, and champion new technologies, business models, and market opportunities to create competitive advantages.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

AI Strategy Operationalisation:

• Lead the end-to-end execution of the companyA.I. Strategy, from conceptualisation and pilot projects to full-scale implementation.
• Identify high-impact use cases for AI and Machine Learning across the company'sproducts, services, and internal operations.
• Collaborate with product development, engineering, and data science teams to build and deploy AI-driven solutions.
• Establish governance, ethics, and performance metrics for all AI initiatives.

Technology Infrastructure s Operations:

• Oversee the management, strategy, and operational excellence of the company'sData Centres, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and efficient.
• Drive the evolution of our infrastructure to support next-generation services, including cloud, edge computing, and IoT.
• Ensure the highest levels of availability, performance, and security for all critical infrastructure.

Strategic Partnerships s Ecosystem Alignment:

• Act as the primary liaison and strategic partner for the innovation hubs, fintechs, and technology partners.
• Manage the pipeline of collaboration, ensuring alignment with the company'sstrategic goals and facilitating the smooth transition of innovative ideas from lab to market.
• Build and nurture a robust external network at the forefront of technological trends.

Team Leadership s Development:

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of innovation managers, technology specialists, and data centre operations staff.
• Create clear career paths and development plans for team members, fostering a talent pipeline for the future.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. An MBA or master’s degree is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in technology leadership, with at least 5 years in a role directly responsible for innovation, digital transformation, or RCD.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful business innovation or digital transformation strategies.
• Essential: Deep, hands-on experience with AI/ML concepts and a proven record of operationalising AI strategies in a corporate environment.
• Strong expertise in managing critical technology infrastructure, including Data Centres and enterprise IT support functions.
• Demonstrated experience in managing strategic partnerships and ecosystem collaborations.
• Excellent financial and business acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and demonstrating ROI on innovation projects.

Competencies & Skills:

• Strategic Visionary: Ability to see the big picture and translate future trends into actionable business strategies.
• Influential Leadership: Exceptional ability to influence and inspire both technical teams and senior executives.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong business sense with the ability to align technology initiatives with commercial outcomes.
• Excellent Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Agile C Adaptive: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can navigate ambiguity effectively.
• Collaborative Partner: A natural bridge-builder who can work effectively across different departments and with external partners.

Application Closing Date
6th January, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter to: jobs@stretchitconcepts.com using "Head of Business Innovation" as the subject of the mail.