Enterprise Architect - Banking Transformation, Cloud & AI

Falcon Smart IT Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Falcon Smart IT Limited in London is seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to drive the Bank's transformation, spanning Payments, FX, Data, Cloud, and AI. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic vision with practical execution to shape a modern, intelligent banking platform.

You will partner with engineering and transformation teams to define architecture principles, align initiatives with regulatory requirements, and influence executive stakeholders in multi-cloud environments.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading enterprise architecture in banking or financial services.
• Hands-on architectural leader who translates strategy into executable programs.
• Proven ability to work with engineering and transformation teams to deliver outcomes.
• Experience with multi-cloud and AI/automation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end enterprise architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Establish principles, standards, and target-state architectures.
• Align technology with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Lead architecture functions across banking platforms and payments systems.
• Partner with executive stakeholders to influence technology investments.

Job description

Job Title : Enterprise Architect - Banking Transformation, Cloud & AI

Job Location :London, UK (4 days per week from office)

Job Type: FTE

Job Description :About the Role

We are undertaking a significant transformation of the Bank and are reimagining how we build a genuinely modern, intelligent banking platform for the future. This transformation spans Payments, FX, Data, Cloud, and AI, and will redefine both our technology landscape and future operating model.This is a high-impact leadership role for an experienced Enterprise Architect who has successfully led large-scale banking transformations and can bridge the gap between strategic vision and practical execution. We're not seeking someone who governs architecture from the sidelines. We need a hands-on architectural leader who can shape the future direction of the Bank, challenge traditional thinking, and work closely with engineering and transformation teams to deliver tangible outcomes.A key aspect of this role is helping to define how emerging technologies, including AI, agentic architectures, intelligent orchestration, and automation, can be leveraged to create the next generation of banking capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Architecture LeadershipDefine and own the Bank's end-to-end enterprise architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Establish architectural principles, standards, and target-state technology architectures across business and technology domains.
• Align technology investments with strategic business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience leading enterprise architecture functions within banking or financial services.
• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale technology transformation programmes.
• Deep domain expertise in one or more of:
• Banking platformsPaymentsFX and Treasury systemsHigh-volume transaction processing environmentsStrong understanding of both legacy and modern technology estates.Significant experience designing and implementing:
• Event-driven architecturesDistributed systemsCloud-native solutionsAPI ecosystemsExperience working within highly regulated environments.Track record of influencing and partnering with executive-level stakeholders.

Desired Experience

• Experience with multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP).
• Knowledge of AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI frameworks, and intelligent automation.
• Experience defining target operating models and business capability architectures.
• Familiarity with data mesh, real-time analytics, and enterprise data platforms.
• Understanding of modern banking ecosystem trends, open banking, and embedded finance.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution focus.Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.Strong leadership presence and communication abilities.Commercial and business acumen.Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive organizational change.Deep understanding of technology risk, security, and regulatory considerations.Passion for innovation and the future of AI-enabled banking