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Linda Wainaina

Linda Wainaina

Manager IT Retail

Highest degree :

Masters

Field of study :

IT

Location :

Kenya

Citizenships :

Kenyan

Experience :

10 Year(s)

Countries :

Kenya

Gender :

Female

Sectors :

Banking operations, finance

Transformational IT leader with over 10 years’ experience driving digital transformation, agile delivery, and systems innovation across the banking sector. Proven ability to lead Centres of Excellence in Application Systems, Project Management, Business Analysis, and Quality Assurance, while delivering end-to-end enterprise solutions in financial and supply chain ecosystems. Adept at embedding agile practices, coaching leadership, managing change at scale, and aligning technology with strategic business outcomes. Known for cross-functional collaboration, results-driven execution, and championing sustainable digital innovation that delivers measurable impact. Career goal: To leverage extensive IT expertise to drive digital transformation and innovation within a forward-thinking organisation.

Experience

Manager IT Retail

Nairobi

NCBA

October 2022

-

Present

• Leading cross-functional digital transformation initiatives to improve system performance across retail financial services. • Driving agile adoption by collaborating with product owners, engineers, and business teams to enable rapid delivery and innovation. • Strengthened project governance by introducing KPI-based reporting and risk mitigation frameworks aligned to PMO standards • Collaborate across multiple teams such as technical teams, product owners and business teams to ensure effective decision-making • Oversaw end-to-end delivery of enterprise payment integrations with HR and core banking systems. • Introduced sustainable practices and customer-centric training to improve staff capability and service delivery across channels. • Pioneered the use of sustainable practices within operations, contributing to corporate social responsibility goals • Worked alongside project manager to formulate comprehensive business specification documents • Conducted rigorous risk assessments for projects, implementing robust mitigation strategies to protect assets • Delivered bespoke training programmes to staff, significantly improving team competency and performance metrics • Spearheaded development of innovative strategies to streamline project delivery, enhancing operational efficiency • Implemented cutting-edge technology solutions to modernise processes, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity • Deliver executive-level reporting, documentation, and risk mitigation strategies across projects. • Implement system upgrades and facilitate change/problem management across financial systems.

Digital Channels Specialist

Kenya

KCB Bank

December 2021

-

October 2022

• Supported Agency, Mobi Loan (Vooma Loan), Internet Banking, B2B, C2B, B2C, Mobile banking, Middleware services, card services, fintech technologies. • Integrated organizations payroll and payments systems with various organization HR systems for seamless processing with banks • Executed agile project management processes seamlessly to deliver robust solutions • Implemented SSL and other encryption certificates for enhanced Digital Channels security • Implemented changes for business benefits in Channels solutions • Deliver first-level IT training and support to users • Mastery of ETL process for efficient report generation • Analyzed user requirements to develop solutions and manage system configurations • Ensured SLA compliance with system vendors

Digital Channels Analyst

Kenya

NCBA Bank

April 2018

-

December 2021

• I supported Mobile Banking, Internet Banking, Mobile Money Payment systems (B2B, C2B, B2C), Bill Payment Systems, fintech technologies • Integrated organizations payroll and payments systems with various organization HR systems for seamless processing with banks • Collaborated with process and product owners across the bank • Conducted research and analysis to optimize systems • Coordinated with project teams to ensure smooth integration of new systems and minimise user disruption • Monitored system performance indicators, taking proactive measures to maintain optimal functionality • Managed ticketing system efficiently, prioritising and escalating issues as necessary for prompt resolution • Conducted regular system audits to identify and rectify potential issues before they impacted users

Service Desk Officer

Kenya

NCBA BANK

September 2017

-

March 2018

• Acted as intermediary for business and IT collaboration • Updated knowledge base with latest troubleshooting techniques and solutions, keeping information current and relevant • Conducted regular system maintenance checks, reducing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency • Organised and participated in meetings with IT leadership, offering insights and updates on service desk performance and initiatives • Led a team of junior service desk officers, providing mentorship and guidance to develop their technical and customer service skills • Collaborated with IT teams to address complex service requests, improving system functionality • Streamlined communication channels between the service desk and other departments, enhancing inter-departmental collaboration • Implemented feedback mechanisms for users, gathering insights to drive continuous improvement of IT services • Delivered first-line support and resolved technical issues for staff via phone, email, and in-person • Developed user guides and FAQs for common issues, enhancing self-service capabilities for staff • Updated workflows, procedures, Role matrix and documents on sharepoint • Generated reports on system SLA, incidents, uptime

IT HelpDesk Assistant

Kenya

NCBA Bank

November 2015

-

August 2017

• Updated knowledge base with latest troubleshooting techniques and solutions, keeping information current and relevant • Conducted regular system maintenance checks, reducing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency • Organised and participated in meetings with IT leadership, offering insights and updates on service desk performance and initiatives • Led a team of junior service desk officers, providing mentorship and guidance to develop their technical and customer service skills • Collaborated with IT teams to address complex service requests, improving system functionality • Streamlined communication channels between the service desk and other departments, enhancing inter-departmental collaboration • Implemented feedback mechanisms for users, gathering insights to drive continuous improvement of IT services • Delivered first-line support and resolved technical issues for staff via phone, email, and in-person

Operations Assistant

Kenya

NCBA Bank

June 2014

-

November 2015

• Addressed and resolved customer queries • Planned routine operations and special projects under direction of operations manager • Managed customer queries and complaints, delivering exceptional service and fostering customer loyalty • Reviewed and updated operational procedures, maintaining relevance and compliance with industry standards • Analysed operational processes and recommended improvements, driving innovation and operational excellence • Led training sessions for new staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and skill development • Liaised with senior management to introduce new processes and technologies

Education

MBA

United Kingdom

Arden University

October 2020

-

April 2023

Merit

Bachelor of Business Information Technology

Kenya

Strathmore University

June 2013

-

June 2013

1st Class Honors

Languages
English
Speak
Native
Read
Native
Write
Native
Swahili
Speak
Native
Read
Native
Write
Native
French
Speak
Fair
Read
Fair
Write
Fair
Skills

Digital transformations

Systems Analyst

ITIL Service Management

Agile Methodology

Project management

Problem-Solving Skills

Change management

Strategic Planning and Implementation: