(Manager) Head of Data-Driven Operations

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) enable the World Bank Group (WBG) to achieve its mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity by delivering transformative technologies to staff in over 150 locations. ITS continuously adapts its strategy through consultations with business partners to respond to changing priorities and leverage new technologies. Its vision is to transform how the Bank Group accomplishes its mission through innovative information and technology solutions.

The Corporate Information Technologies Department (CIT) plays a critical role in enabling IFC’s strategic priorities by delivering state-of-the-art technology solutions that support investment and advisory services, financial operations, treasury, and the Asset Management Company. As IFC’s trusted technology partner, CIT designs and implements integrated digital platforms that automate business processes, enhance responsiveness to clients, improves operational efficiency, and manage risk across the institution.
We are seeking an accomplished and highly motivated Senior Leader to head IFC’s Data-Driven Operations team. This team oversees and advances IFC’s private sector data strategy, including data engineering, data quality, private sector data architecture, and enterprise data solutions. The successful candidate will ensure IFC’s data assets are reliable, secure, and deliver measurable business value. This role requires strong technical expertise combined with exceptional leadership and collaboration skills to engage senior stakeholders across IFC and the World Bank Group.
The position reports directly to IFC’s Chief Information Officer and will work closely with the WBG Chief Data Technology team to align IFC’s data initiatives with broader institutional objectives. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proven ability to lead complex data programs, drive innovation, and foster a culture of data excellence that supports IFC’s mission of promoting sustainable private sector investment in emerging markets.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
•   Lead, mentor, and develop a team of data engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
•   Spearhead the initiative to modernize IFC’s data environment, migrating critical functions to a new cloud platform. 
•   Identify opportunities to leverage data for strategic decision-making and business growth, and in collaboration with the IFC’s Head of Analytics, implement IFC’s data strategy.
•   Work in close collaboration with The World Bank Group IT teams to leverage best practices, technologies, and data platforms.
•   Design and maintain a scalable and efficient data architecture, ensuring optimal data storage, processing, and accessibility.
•   Establish standards for data and semantic modeling, database design, data transformation, and data preparation and oversee teams and groups that implement standards to ensure adherence to best practices.
•   Establish data quality standards and processes, including data cleansing, validation, and monitoring, and implement measures to maintain the accuracy and reliability of our data assets.
•   Manage the appropriate data engineering tools, technologies, and frameworks to meet business requirements.
•   Effectively communicate complex data engineering concepts and progress to non-technical senior leaders.
•   Influence and persuade senior leaders to adopt data-driven decision-making and support data engineering initiatives.
•   Align data engineering initiatives with our overall business strategy and identify opportunities for data to drive business growth.
•   Stay up to date with new data technologies and industry best practices and advise the organization on how to best leverage these technologies to improve data infrastructure and data engineering processes.
•   Contribute to IFC’s technical vision.
Within one year:
•   You will need to have a plan and a strategy for migration to the cloud
•   Set up a strategy for how to sunset Exadata
•   Define data lake architecture to include Salesforce FSC data and approach on reporting
•   Setup implementation plan for data quality practice at IFC

Selection Criteria

•   Master’s degree in computer science or equivalent, with 12 to 15 years of relevant working experience leading technical teams, preferably in the Financial Services sector.
•   Preferably 10+ years of hands-on data engineering and/or software development experience.
•   Demonstrated ability to establish strong partnerships and drive processes across organizations, e.g., to manage the creation, processing, and use of instrumentation to enable the use of data impactfully in developing data products or solutions.
Proven experience leading enterprise data functions (ideally in financial institutions or development organizations).
Strong understanding of modern data architecture, business intelligence, and analytics.
Certifications in relevant areas such as: 
•   Data Governance (e.g., DCAM, DAMA Certified Data Management Professional)
•   Data Privacy/Security (e.g., CIPP, CISSP)
•   Cloud/Data Platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure Data Engineer, AWS Data Analytics) Required at least one certification on any of these technologies, preferably Azure
•   Agile/Product Management, certification required for both 

•   Proven ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional and matrixed environments.
•   Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across all organizational levels.
•   Excellent written and verbal communication, adept at explaining complex concepts to diverse audiences.
•   Skilled in managing multiple projects independently and within diverse teams.
•   Demonstrated integrity and commitment to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission and values.
•   Meets core managerial competencies: Courage of convictions, Leading for impact, Influencing across boundaries, Openness to new ideas, and Building talent for the future.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.