Head of Architect ( Bank / Finance )

The Head of Architecture is responsible for leading the architecture function across the organization, aligning technology strategies with business goals. This role involves overseeing the design and implementation of scalable, innovative solutions that meet current and future business needs. The Head of Architecture will lead a team of solution architects, provide strategic direction, and ensure the alignment of IT architecture with the overall business strategy.

Role & Responsibilities

- Strategic Leadership in Technology Roadmap

+ Define and implement the overall solution architecture strategy, aligning with the banking and financial services business objectives.

+ Provide thought leadership on architecture for key domains including Cloud, Core banking, Payments, Investment

+ Management, Lending, and Regulatory Compliance.

+ Oversee architectural efforts in open banking, fintech integrations, digital payments, and secure data exchanges.

+ Drive digital transformation efforts, guiding cloud migration, core system upgrades, and the implementation of advanced financial technologies such as AI, blockchain, and APIs.

- Solution Design & Innovation:

+ Lead the design and development of secure, scalable, and resilient architectures that cater to the high-performance demands of the banking and financial services sectors.

+ Promote innovation by identifying and integrating emerging technologies and platforms to enhance financial service delivery and customer experience.

+ Architect solutions that support omni-channel banking, including mobile apps, online banking, and traditional channels, ensuring seamless user experiences.

+ Ensure architecture enables real-time analytics, fraud detection, risk management, and other critical financial services capabilities.

- Governance, Compliance & Security:

+ Ensure that all solution architectures comply with banking regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS, PSD2, GDPR, AML/KYC) and meet stringent security standards.

+ Architect systems with a strong focus on data privacy, ensuring compliance with global and local financial regulations.

+ Lead the design of security frameworks to safeguard sensitive financial data and protect against cybersecurity threats.

+ Maintain governance around architecture best practices, ensuring consistent standards across all projects and technologies.

- Team Leadership & Mentorship:

+ Lead and manage a team of solution architects, providing mentorship, training, and performance management to ensure they are equipped to meet business and technological challenges.

+ Foster a collaborative environment where innovation, technical excellence, and continuous improvement are prioritized.

+ Ensure the team follows architectural governance, performing architecture reviews and guiding solutions across the enterprise.

- Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:

+ Collaborate closely with internal teams, including product management, operations, compliance, and risk, to define business needs and translate them into effective technology solutions.

+ Act as the primary point of contact for C-level executives and business stakeholders, ensuring that architecture decisions align with technical and business strategies.

+ Engage with external vendors, fintech partners, and consultants to leverage third-party solutions that meet financial services needs.

+ Communicate complex architectural concepts to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and alignment.

- Risk Management & Business Continuity:

+ Identify and manage potential architectural risks, ensuring that solutions are designed with disaster recovery, fault tolerance, and business continuity in mind.

+ Ensure high availability and resiliency of critical banking services, with minimal downtime and customer interruption.

+ Architect solutions that support scalability and flexibility, allowing for future growth and adaptation to evolving market trends.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. A Master’s degree or MBA in a related discipline is preferred.

Experience:

- 10+ years of experience in solution architecture, with at least 5 years in the banking and financial services industry.

- Proven track record of leading solution architecture initiatives in core banking systems, payment gateways, investment platforms, lending systems, or wealth management solutions.

- Deep knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the financial services sector, including PSD2, GDPR, PCI-DSS, AML/KYC, and others.

- Hands-on experience in designing and implementing scalable, secure, and high-performing solutions in the financial industry.

Strong background in cloud computing, microservices architecture, and APIs as they apply to banking and financial ecosystems.

- Experience with digital transformation, fintech integrations, and modern banking platforms.

- Proven experience in managing and leading teams of architects and engineers.

- Ability to influence and drive strategic changes in a large, complex organization.

- Experience in leading digital transformation initiatives and delivering innovative solutions in the banking or financial services industry.

Certifications:

- Relevant certifications (e.g., TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional – CISSP) are advantageous.

- Certifications in financial regulations (e.g., Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Certified Information - Privacy Professional (CIPP)) are preferred.

Skills:

- Architectural Leadership: Strong leadership experience in managing architectural initiatives in highly regulated and complex financial environments.

- Compliance & Security: Expertise in designing solutions that meet rigorous banking compliance, security, and data privacy regulations.

- Technology Expertise: Strong background in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), API-driven architectures, microservices, and emerging fintech technologies.

- Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and solve complex problems in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, specifically in the context of banking and financial services.

- Collaboration: Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and interface with C-level executives.

- Innovation: A forward-thinking approach with a proven ability to incorporate modern technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and machine learning, into banking and financial services solutions.

- Agility: Experience in agile methodologies and the ability to adapt architectural strategies to changing business needs.