Head of Architecture

James Douglas; Mumbai; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

James Douglas invites applications for a Head of Architecture to lead the Enterprise Architecture function for a leading capital markets organisation in Mumbai. The role focuses on enterprise architecture strategy, technology modernisation, governance, application rationalisation and setting standards to deliver scalable, secure platforms in a regulated environment.

The position requires 20+ years in software/enterprise architecture, with deep expertise in microservices, API-led integration,

Qualifications

• 20+ years of overall experience in software/enterprise architecture or related leadership roles.
• Experience in BFSI, capital markets, stock exchanges, fintech or other highly regulated environments preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in Enterprise Architecture, with ownership of enterprise‑wide strategy, governance and tech transformation.
• Proven experience establishing or leading an Enterprise Architecture function including frameworks, standards and operating models.
• Strong hands-on background in software architecture and system design, with experience designing complex enterprise apps and distributed systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale legacy modernisation and architectural transformation initiatives in the last 2–3 years.
• Deep expertise in microservices architecture, API-led integration, event‑driven architecture and distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of security architecture, zero‑trust environments, IAM, data protection and security-by-design principles.
• Proven experience establishing or leading an Architecture Review Board (ARB).
• Experience developing multi-year technology roadmaps and target-state blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, principles, standards, and target‑state architecture.
• Lead the architecture governance process, including review forums, exception management, and design assurance for major initiatives.
• Assess the technology landscape across about 100 applications, identifying gaps, technical debt, integration challenges and modernisation opportunities.
• Define and execute a five-year EA strategy and technology modernisation roadmap, aligned with business objectives and regulatory obligations.
• Develop current-state and target-state architecture blueprints, reference architectures and transition plans.
• Lead legacy application modernisation using microservices, APIs and event‑driven design principles.
• Establish and lead the Architecture Review Board (ARB) and define approval processes and compliance standards.
• Embed security‑by‑design and zero‑trust across application, integration, data and cloud architectures.
• Partner with engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and PMO teams to translate decisions into delivery controls.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture

Architecture Governance

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Management

Tools

Microservices

API-led Integration

Event-driven Architecture

Security-by-Design

Zero Trust

Job description

One of our clients, a leading organisation in the capital markets industry, is looking to hire a Head of Architecture to lead its Enterprise Architecture function. The role will focus on enterprise architecture strategy, technology modernisation, architecture governance, application rationalisation and technology standardisation, ensuring the development of scalable, secure, resilient and future‑ready technology platforms in a complex, highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, principles, standards, and target‑state architecture.
• Lead the architecture governance process, including architecture review forums, exception management, and design assurance for major initiatives.
• Assess the existing technology landscape across approximately 100 applications, identifying architectural gaps, technical debt, integration challenges and modernisation opportunities.
• Define and execute a five-year Enterprise Architecture strategy and technology modernisation roadmap, aligned with business objectives, scalability requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Develop comprehensive current-state and target-state architecture blueprints, reference architectures and technology transition plans.
• Lead legacy application modernisation, driving the transition towards scalable, modular and interoperable architectures using microservices, APIs and event‑driven design principles.
• Establish and lead the Architecture Review Board (ARB), defining architecture approval processes, design review mechanisms, exception management and compliance standards.
• Embed security‑by‑design and zero‑trust principles across application, integration, data and cloud architectures.
• Partner with engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and PMO teams to ensure architecture decisions are translated into delivery controls and execution plans.

Brief About the Client:

One of our clients, a leading organisation in the capital markets industry, is looking to hire a Head of Architecture to lead its Enterprise Architecture function. The role will focus on enterprise architecture strategy, technology modernisation, architecture governance, application rationalisation and technology standardisation, ensuring the development of scalable, secure, resilient and future‑ready technology platforms in a complex, highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, principles, standards, and target‑state architecture.
• Lead the architecture governance process, including architecture review forums, exception management, and design assurance for major initiatives.
• Assess the existing technology landscape across approximately 100 applications, identifying architectural gaps, technical debt, integration challenges and modernisation opportunities.
• Define and execute a five-year Enterprise Architecture strategy and technology modernisation roadmap, aligned with business objectives, scalability requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Develop comprehensive current-state and target-state architecture blueprints, reference architectures and technology transition plans.
• Lead legacy application modernisation, driving the transition towards scalable, modular and interoperable architectures using microservices, APIs and event‑driven design principles.
• Establish and lead the Architecture Review Board (ARB), defining architecture approval processes, design review mechanisms, exception management and compliance standards.
• Embed security‑by‑design and zero‑trust principles across application, integration, data and cloud architectures.
• Partner with engineering, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and PMO teams to ensure architecture decisions are translated into delivery controls and execution plans.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of overall experience in software architecture, technology architecture or enterprise technology leadership roles.
• Experience in BFSI, capital markets, stock exchanges, fintech or other highly regulated environments is preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in Enterprise Architecture, with demonstrated ownership of enterprise‑wide architecture strategy, governance and technology transformation.
• Proven experience establishing or leading an Enterprise Architecture function, including defining architecture frameworks, standards, governance processes and operating models.
• Strong hands‑on background in software architecture and system design, with experience personally designing complex enterprise applications and distributed systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale legacy modernisation and architectural transformation initiatives, preferably within the last 2–3 years.
• Deep expertise in microservices architecture, API‑led integration, event‑driven architecture and distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of security architecture, zero‑trust environments, identity and access management, data protection and security‑by‑design principles.
• Proven experience establishing or leading an Architecture Review Board (ARB), including architecture approvals, design governance, technical standards and exception management.
• Experience developing multi‑year technology roadmaps, target‑state architecture blueprints and application rationalisation strategies.

Location: Mumbai

Reporting To: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)