Lead Tech Lab

Lead Tech Lab

Driving long-term technological innovation and strategic value creation for Rabobank. As Lead Tech Lab, you are responsible for identifying, shaping and accelerating emerging and new technologies that will have a mid- to long-term impact on Rabobank and CITO. You translate technological trends into strategic insights and concrete value, positioning technology as a key driver of future-proof business models.

You & your role

In this role, you lead the Tech Lab; a team of highly skilled technology experts. You operate at the intersection of technology, strategy and innovation, with a strong external orientation. As Lead Tech Lab, you connect mid- and long-term vision (2-5 and 5–10 years resp.) with tangible experimentation and validation, ensuring that Rabobank is well prepared for technological disruption and opportunity.

Delivering results

• Identify and analyse disruptive/major technology trends with significant potential impact on Rabobank and CITO.
• Translate technological developments into strategic recommendations and decision-making input.
• Initiate, steer and validate technology experiments that demonstrate concrete value.

Top 3 responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of technology experts, fostering a culture of trust, learning and high performance.
• Shape and communicate vision on emerging and new technologies and their impact on Rabobank and CITO at senior and executive management level.
• Accelerate innovation by initiating, steering and validating experiments (PoCs, PoVs, MVPs) in collaboration with internal and external partners.

The Lead Tech Lab operates at a strategic level within the Strategy, Design & Transformation (SD&T) domain and reports directly to the Head of Strategy, Design & Transformation. The role has significant influence on strategic direction and decision-making at senior and executive management level.

“In a world where new technologies reshape banking, the Tech Lab envisions the future and engineers it today. The Lead Tech Lab knows how to create the necessary traction to ensure a smooth, timely and value-driven adoption of new technologies.” Mathieu Willems, Head Strategy, Design & Transformation at CITO.

The Tech Lab team works on identifying, exploring and accelerating emerging and new technologies that can fundamentally change how Rabobank operates and delivers value. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do: as one driven, forward-looking and entrepreneurial team within Rabobank.

You & your talent

• Academic (Master’s) level education
• 10–15 years of relevant experience in technology, innovation and strategy
• Strong understanding of emerging and new technologies such as AI, quantum and sovereignty
• Proven experience with technology-driven innovation, experimentation and portfolio management
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, complex organisational environments (internal & external) and developing tech partnerships
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous and quickly developing technology fields
• Strategic, analytical and innovative mindset and a can-do mentality
• Strong leadership and managerial capabilities
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills
• Strong network in technology and excellent networking skills