Chief Technology Officer

IDB Lab – Principal Technology Officer (Chief Technology Officer)

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group. It focuses on fostering early-stage innovation with a strong emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship. The primary objectives of IDB Lab are to benefit poor and vulnerable populations and to activate new industries in frontier markets. By mobilizing financing, knowledge, and connections, IDB Lab supports innovative ventures and ecosystems, enabling them to thrive.

In addition to its focus on technology and entrepreneurship, IDB Lab addresses specific challenges such as climate resilience, access to quality essential services, and creating greater opportunities for livelihoods. It leverages partnerships between the public and private sectors, civil society, and academic institutions to influence public policy and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through its various flagship initiatives, IDB Lab aims to drive social inclusion, environmental action, and productivity in the region, ultimately improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IDB Lab successfully concluded a $400 million replenishment of resources (called “MIF IV Replenishment”) and is preparing for the implementation of this new phase under a new business model. The IDB Lab's role includes facilitating the development of proposals and ensuring consensus among donors on key issues. The IDB Lab+ proposes strategic shifts such as increasing the proportion of reimbursable financing and aligning with the IDB Group's Institutional Strategy.

About this position:

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is a newly upgraded senior leadership role within IDB Lab, designed to spearhead the organization’s strategic transformation efforts across digital, operational, and cultural domains. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the CTO will lead high-impact initiatives to position IDB Lab at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that technology, data, and agile methodologies drive greater efficiency, scalability, and inclusion. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in digital transformation, change management, and ecosystem development, with the ability to shape the future of IDB Lab’s business model and operational framework. This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate complex stakeholder environments and execute transformative strategies in alignment with IDB Lab’s mission.

As Principal Technology Officer, you will report directly to the CEO of IDB Lab.

What you’ll do:

As Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will be responsible for driving IDB Lab’s digital and operational transformation strategy. Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Strategic Leadership in Transformation:

• Develop and execute IDB Lab’s digital transformation strategy, ensuring its alignment with the organization’s long-term vision and operational model.
• Identify emerging technologies and innovation trends that can amplify IDB Lab’s impact and improve operational efficiency.
• Serve as a key advisor to the General Manager and LT on transformation initiatives and digital innovation.

2. Technology & Digital Strategy Implementation:

• Oversee the implementation and evolution of IDB Lab’s Digital Growth Plan (DGP), ensuring the seamless adoption of digital tools and processes.
• Lead the development of data-driven decision-making frameworks to optimize impact measurement, portfolio management, and operational excellence.
• Ensure that digital transformation efforts enhance IDB Lab’s service delivery model and create scalable, technology-enabled solutions.

3. Data & Analytics Leadership:

• Develop and implement a robust data governance framework to support impact measurement at the corporate, project, and portfolio levels.
• Drive IDB Lab’s internal analytics efforts, ensuring that data-driven insights inform strategic decision-making.
• Oversee data integration efforts to enhance knowledge sharing and business intellige

4. Organizational Change & Culture Transformation:

• Lead IDB Lab’s shift towards a more agile, innovation-driven, and data-centric culture.
• Design and implement change management strategies to ensure organizational readiness and alignment with digital transformation initiatives.
• Foster an internal innovation mindset, leveraging design thinking, human-centered design, and service design principles 

5. Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships:

• Strengthen IDB Lab’s positioning as a regional leader in digital innovation by fostering strategic collaborations with startups, technology firms, academic institutions, and other innovation players.
• Align IDB Lab’s digital platforms (e.g., fAIr LAC, LACChain) with broader IDB Group initiatives, ensuring synergies and scalability.
• Act as a liaison between IDB Lab and the Technology and Transformation Department (TTD) and other IDB Group units driving digital transformation and innovation efforts.

6. Operational Excellence & Agile Governance:

• Optimize IDB Lab’s internal processes and governance models to enhance efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and accelerate project execution.
• Implement and oversee digital deal flow and project development mechanisms, ensuring operational effectiveness and scalability.
• Drive customer-centric approaches that improve user experience and engagement with IDB Lab’s services and digital tools.

7. Synergies Across the IDB Group:

• Act as a liaison between IDB Lab and the Technology and Transformation Department (TTD) and other IDB Group units driving digital transformation and innovation efforts.
• Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration on technology and data governance to enhance efficiency and integration across the Group.
• Develop joint initiatives that leverage technology and data to create scalable solutions that align with the 2025 Institutional goals of fostering synergies.

Requirements:

• Education: Masters' degree in Computer Science, Design Innovation, Business Administration, or related fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience: At least 10 years of proven experience leading innovation initiatives and digital transformation. Solid background in user experience, design thinking, organizational change, process improvement and technology, as well as demonstrated work experience in leading interdisciplinary teams.
• Languages: Proficiency in English is required and in Spanish desired. Additional knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a plus.

Key skills

• Coach and Develop
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 
• Build Lean and Versatile Teams 
• Lead Change and Transformation 
• Foster a Digital Innovation Culture
• Leverage Data and Technology for Strategic Decision-Making. Operational Excellence and Client Service
• Embrace an Agile and Adaptive Approach
• Create Partnerships 

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents. 
• Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab. 

Type of contract and duration

International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement. 

 What we offer 

The IDB Group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee’s life. These benefits include: 

• A competitive compensation package, including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis.
• Leaves and vacations: 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender- neutral parental leave.
• Health Insurance: IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs. 
• Pension plan: defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future. 
• We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• Health and well-being:  Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees. 
• Development support: We offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others. 
• Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others. 

Our culture 

At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.

In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us.