StateBank of Pakistan
Excellent Career Opportunities
The positions are based in Karachi.
Innovation Lead – (OG-5)
The incumbent will set the strategic direction of the Innovation Hub, advancing the central bank’s leadership in digital financial services, emerging technologies, and cross-sector collaboration. The role requires shaping policy, guiding experimentation, and strengthening international partnerships to ensure a forward-looking innovation agenda.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and manage the innovation hub/office of the Central Bank by developing and implementing its strategy in line with the Central Bank’s goals and international best practices.
- Engage and collaborate with FinTechs, banks, global and local innovation hubs, incubators and global entities including multilateral institutions to identify innovative trends in the industry and improve processes, products and services for the digitization of economy.
- Drive research, proof of concepts and pilot initiatives for investigating and adopting appropriate technological innovations in a responsible manner and translate key findings into meaningful policy and operational pathways.
- Operate and manage regulatory and technical sandboxes, incubators, accelerators, tech sprints and hackathons.
- Collaborate with external and internal stakeholders on key Digital Public Infrastructure projects, open banking, AI and DLT/Blockchain based initiatives. Collaborate with international partners on digital finance policies.
- Promote and nurture design thinking within the organization and the industry and work towards building user friendly interfaces for the public. Track progress and impact of innovation projects.
- Work with the Bank's management on various human and technical capacity building initiatives in the Bank in order to develop a skilled team focused on fostering an innovation friendly working culture.
- Oversee daily operations and coordination within the Innovation Hub.
- Monitor new technologies and turn insights into policy actions.
Education
Master's or Bachelor's degree (with a minimum of 16 years of education) in Computer Science, Engineering (Computer, Software, Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication or similar discipline), Business Administration (Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Finance, Information Systems, Fintech, Management), Business Analytics, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Communication & Design, Commerce, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics from an HEC recognized university or a reputable foreign university.
Age
Maximum 42 years, as on the date of advertisement.
Experience
Minimum 12 years of proven, post-qualification working experience in business development, analysis and/or Fintech industry with at least 4 years in middle management position.
Assessment Criteria
- Managing innovation offices, incubators, tech hubs or similar infrastructures preferably in financial services industry.
- Working with multilateral institutions, regulators, or innovation offices.
- Knowledge of open banking, digital payments, blockchain, and crypto.
- Familiarity with digital identity stacks and cross-border payment systems.
- Experience of sandbox operations and regulatory innovation frameworks.
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of digital payment systems, payment laws, financial inclusion, and SME/e-commerce platforms.
- Comprehensive understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship concepts, including startups, incubators, and venture capital networks.
- Knowledge of global technology and innovation ecosystems.
- Ability to think creatively, develop practical solutions, and drive impact.
- Strong analytical, business analysis and problem-solving skills.
- Experience of applying human-centered design in product or policy development.
- Knowledge of State Bank of Pakistan’s functions.
- Knowledge of new technologies including AI, DLT, Cloud computing etc.
Operational & Stakeholder Functions
The incumbent will lead the operational, and stakeholder functions of the Innovation Hub, driving FinTechs and digital finance initiatives through policy input, ecosystem engagement, regulatory innovation, and high-impact outreach programs.
Additional Key Responsibilities
- Implement the Innovation Hub’s strategy by managing day to day operations, coordinating ongoing projects, and ensuring alignment with the Central Bank’s broader goals.
- Lead the design and execution of innovation programs, POC proof of concepts initiatives to test emerging financial technologies in a controlled environment.
- Develop regulatory and policy frameworks for digital assets, open banking, tokenization, and emerging technologies.
- Manage sandbox operations, accelerators, and design sprints to test and scale innovative FinTechs solutions.
- Collaborate with banks, regulators, FinTechs, academia, and industry to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
- Conduct research and provide policy input on emerging technologies such as digital assets, open banking, artificial intelligence, and distributed ledger technology.
- Support the development of enabling infrastructure such as open APIs, digital identity systems, and interoperability tools.
- Promote knowledge sharing through workshops, publications, and capacity-building programs across the institution.
- Represent the Innovation Hub in working groups, technical committees, and national-level forums on financial innovation and technology policy.
Education
Master's or Bachelor's degree (with a minimum of 16 years of education) in Computer Science, Engineering (Computer, Software, Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunication or similar discipline), Business Administration ( Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, Finance, Information Systems, Fintech, Management), Business Analytics, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Communication & Design, Commerce, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics from an HEC recognized university or a reputable foreign university. Candidates having relevant certifications and experience in the area of digital financial services will be preferred.
Age
Maximum 36 years, as on the date of advertisement.
Experience
- Minimum of 8 years of proven, working experience in financial innovation, FinTechs, banking or digital transformation with at least 3 years in a middle management position. Experience of working with or within a regulatory, financial, or multilateral institution will be preferred.
- Experience with instant payment systems is a significant advantage.
Assessment Criteria
- Managing innovation offices, incubators, tech hubs or similar infrastructures preferably in financial services industry.
- Experience of working with multilateral institutions, regulators, or innovation offices.
- Knowledge of open banking, digital payments, blockchain, and crypto.
- Familiarity with digital identity, tech stack, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and cross-border payment systems.
- Experience in sandbox operations and regulatory innovation frameworks.
- Understanding of payment laws, financial inclusion, and SME/e-commerce platforms.
- Background in innovation and entrepreneurship, including startups, incubators, and venture networks.
- Knowledge of global technology and innovation ecosystems.
- Ability to think creatively, develop practical solutions, and drive impact.
- Strong analytical, business analysis, and problem-solving skills.Experience applying human-centered design in product or policy development.
- Knowledge of new technologies including AI, DLT, Cloud computing etc.
Compensation
Competitive market-based compensation package backed by attractive salary and a well-rounded benefits structure as per State Bank's rules.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Females, candidates from minorities, transgender persons and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.
Any candidate who misinforms, attempts to influence the recruitment process in any manner, tries to obtain support for his/her candidature by inappropriate means or tampers with evidence of his/her age, educational and other certificates shall be disqualified from the current and any future recruitment process at the Bank; even if the candidate is otherwise eligible. Candidate who fails to provide the required information or documents or does not meet the specified criteria as per advertisement shall be disqualified from the current drive.
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