Unit Head (Blockchain & AI) at Verraki

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s/master's degree in Computer science, Engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in technology innovation, with 4+ years focused on blockchain and AI in financial services.

Certifications:

• Blockchain (e.g., Certified Blockchain Professional, Hyperledger Fabric).
• AI/ML (e.g., AWS/Azure AI certifications, TensorFlow Developer).
• Agile/Innovation (e.g., SAFe, Design Thinking).

Skills & Attributes

Expertise in:

Stakeholder engagement and executive communication skills. Proven track record in navigating banking regulations while delivering iteratively. Proficiency in Python, Solidity, R, and data engineering tools.

• Blockchain: Smart contracts, consensus algorithms, tokenisation, DeFi protocols.
• AI/ML: NLP, computer vision, predictive modelling, MLOps.
• Integration: API architectures, microservices, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the institution's blockchain and AI strategy, aligning with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Identify high-impact use cases for blockchain (e.g., smart contracts, decentralised finance) and AI (e.g., predictive analytics, fraud detection).
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration across business units and technology teams.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption of emerging blockchain frameworks (Hyperledger, Ethereum) and AI/ML platforms (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Oversee proofs-of-concept (PoCs) and pilots to validate the feasibility and scalability of solutions.
• Partner with fintechs, startups, and academic institutions to co-develop innovative solutions.
• Ensure seamless integration of blockchain and AI solutions with existing banking systems (core banking, payments, compliance).
• Establish governance frameworks for ethical AI and blockchain compliance (e.g., GDPR, AML regulations).
• Drive cost efficiency by optimising resource allocation and technology investments.
• Act as the primary liaison between executive leadership, IT, and business units to align priorities and secure buy-in.
• Represent the institution in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and innovation networks.
• Build and manage partnerships with technology vendors, blockchain consortia, and AI research labs.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of blockchain and AI specialists.
• Promote continuous learning through training, certifications, and hackathons.
• Monitor and report on team performance, project milestones, and ROI.