Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

About Freedom 

Freedom Digital Bank France will form part of Freedom Holding Corp., a diversified international financial services group publicly listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker FRHC. The Group operates across Europe, the United States and Central Asia, with activities spanning banking, brokerage, investment services, insurance, payments and digital consumer services. 

About the role 

We are looking for an experienced Chief Technology Officer to define and lead the technology strategy of Freedom Digital Bank France. 

The CTO will be responsible for technology architecture, infrastructure, engineering, cybersecurity, data governance, IT operations and digital transformation. The role will work closely with the wider Freedom Holding Corp. technology organisation to develop a secure, resilient and scalable digital banking platform. 

As a member of the founding executive team, the CTO will contribute to the bank’s regulatory authorisation, establishment and launch in France. The successful candidate will ensure that the technology environment meets applicable French and EU regulatory, cybersecurity, data-protection and operational-resilience requirements. 

Key responsibilities:

• Define and execute the technology strategy for Freedom Digital Bank France.
• Design and maintain a secure, scalable and resilient technology architecture.
• Lead infrastructure, cloud, engineering, integration and IT operations initiatives.
• Ensure the availability, performance and security of digital banking platforms.
• Establish IT governance, technology controls and architecture standards.
• Oversee cybersecurity, information security and technology risk management programmes.
• Ensure compliance with financial-sector technology requirements and operational resilience requirements.
• Implement effective ICT incident detection, incident response, recovery and regulatory reporting processes.
• Develop business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Support the development and launch of digital banking products and customer journeys.
• Partner with Product, Operations, Risk, Compliance and Business teams.
• Oversee technology outsourcing and relationships with cloud providers, vendors and strategic partners.
• Manage technology budgets, resources and delivery priorities.
• Build and develop high-performing technology teams.
• Support the preparation of technology, cybersecurity and outsourcing documentation required for the regulatory authorisation process.
• Drive automation, innovation and continuous improvement across the bank.

Requirements

• 10+ years of technology leadership experience, preferably within digital banking, banking, fintech, payments or another regulated financial institution.
• Previous experience as a CTO, CIO, VP Engineering, Technology Director or in an equivalent senior leadership position.
• Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, APIs, data platforms and digital banking systems.
• Experience developing or operating customer-facing digital financial products.
• Strong knowledge of technology and cybersecurity requirements applicable to financial institutions in France and the EU.
• Practical experience with DORA, GDPR, EBA ICT and security risk management guidelines, ICT incident reporting and financial-sector outsourcing requirements.
• Understanding of regulatory expectations covering cloud services, data governance, access controls, cybersecurity, technology resilience and third-party technology risk.
• Experience managing critical ICT providers and outsourced technology services.
• Experience supporting regulatory authorisation, technology audits or supervisory reviews in France or another EU jurisdiction is strongly preferred.
• Strong strategic, technical and people leadership capabilities.
• Full professional fluency in French and English is mandatory.

Benefits

• Employment contract in accordance with French labor law;
• Relocation package for the employee and family members;
• 50% coverage of the annual health insurance cost for the employee and eligible family members;
• 25 days of annual leave, public holidays, and all statutory leave entitlements;
• On-site work in a modern, well-located office.