Database Platform Lead / DBSRE (Oracle & MSSQL) - (NPW)

Taleo; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

GIC seeks a Technical and Engineering Lead for database services across its global estate. You will steer the evolution from an on-prem/legacy mix to a cloud-native, open-source and AI/agent-enabled architecture, balancing latency, security and regulatory needs.

You will partner with application, AI, analytics and operations teams to deliver a scalable, reliable data platform and build a differentiating database infrastructure over a five-year horizon.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field.
• 18+ years in information technology, 15+ years with enterprise database platforms; banking/FS preferred.
• Deep admin and architecture across Oracle, MSSQL and PostgreSQL; exposure to others.
• Hands-on experience with at least one public cloud (AWS, Azure or GCP).
• Strong scripting and automation: Python, Ansible, SQL, Shell/Perl.
• Unix/Linux system administration; Linux/Windows proficiency.
• IT security compliance experience and patching.
• DevOps and CI/CD with Jenkins or equivalent; GitHub-based SCM.
• Infrastructure as Code with Terraform; reusable modules.
• ServiceNow for change management; strong communication.
• Analytical, troubleshooting and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive a multi-year strategic roadmap for the database platform, including cloud migration and AI readiness.
• Define the global database estate vision aligned to business objectives.
• Architect across Oracle, MSSQL and PostgreSQL with knowledge of modern DB platforms.
• Drive cloud-native patterns while maintaining stability and security of on-prem apps.
• Lead AIOps adoption: anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, self-healing.
• Build observability with Grafana/Datadog; enable self-service DB tools via UI/API.
• Automate tasks with Python, Ansible or PowerShell; embed DBRE and Agile.
• Enforce security protocols and compliance, assist with audits.
• Foster innovation, set KPIs for reliability, latency, cost and MTTR.
• Lead a global database engineering and management team.

Skills

Database architecture

Cloud migration

Python automation

Ansible

Terraform

CI/CD pipelines

Security/compliance

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Oracle

MSSQL

PostgreSQL

CockroachDB

Cassandra

Datadog

Grafana

Job description

This is the technical and engineering lead for database services across GIC's global estate. The role owns the evolution of the database platform from a mixed RDBMS footprint to a cloud-native, open-source and AI/agent-enabled architecture — while keeping a highly regulated, latency-sensitive production estate stable and secure. Over a five-year horizon, this role is expected to turn GIC's database infrastructure into a differentiator for performance, scale, agility and insight.

The successful candidate combines deep technical credibility with architectural vision and the ability to partner across application, AI, analytics and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and architecture

• Own and drive a multi-year strategic roadmap for the database platform, aligned to business goals — cloud migration, cost optimisation, latency SLAs and AI/ML readiness.
• Define the multi-year technical vision for the global database estate in line with enterprise business objectives.
• Architect across Oracle, MSSQL and PostgreSQL, with working knowledge of modern database platforms (CockroachDB, Cassandra, MongoDB, Databricks and equivalents).
• Drive adoption of cloud-native patterns for database services on AWS or equivalent, while sustaining the stability and security of critical on-premises applications and data.

Automation, AIOps and reliability

• Drive adoption of AI, agentic and AIOps capabilities: anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, self-healing, auto-scaling and automated patching of databases.
• Build end-to-end observability for database platforms using Grafana, Datadog or equivalent.
• Build secure self-service capabilities in the database space through UI- and API-based solutions consumable by end users and applications.
• Automate operational tasks and infrastructure changes using Python, Ansible or PowerShell.
• Embed Database Reliability Engineering (DBRE) and Agile practice in day-to-day delivery.

Security, risk and compliance

• Enforce enterprise information security protocols, audit hardening and vulnerability patching across database components.
• Analyse customer requirements to ensure information-security standards, policies and guidelines are upheld, and support routine compliance activity.
• Interpret information-security procedures and help implement them across IT and the business, applying sound judgement and decision-making.

Talent and culture

• Foster a culture of innovation, \"build once, reuse everywhere\", knowledge sharing, automation-first delivery and measured risk-taking.
• Set performance metrics and KPIs for reliability, throughput, latency, cost, error budgets and time to market.
• Build and inspire a high-performing global team of database engineers and technical managers.
• Manage and optimise resource allocation to balance project delivery against operational stability.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 18+ years in information technology, including 15+ years hands-on with enterprise database platforms in a large organisation — banking or financial services strongly preferred.
• Deep administration and architecture expertise across Oracle (RAC, Data Guard, OEM), MSSQL (Always On) and PostgreSQL; exposure to CockroachDB, Cassandra, Neptune or equivalents.
• Hands-on experience with at least one public cloud — AWS, Azure or GCP.
• Strong scripting and automation: Python, Ansible, SQL, Shell/Perl.
• Unix/Linux system administration, with a working understanding of underlying network and storage technologies; proficiency across Linux/Unix and Windows.
• IT security compliance experience, including implementation and use of security protocols (SSL, server certificates).
• DevOps and CI/CD pipeline experience using Jenkins or equivalent, with GitHub-based source control.
• Infrastructure as Code with Terraform — writing, testing and deploying clean, reusable modules.
• Support services and change management via ServiceNow.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting capability; excellent written and verbal communication with internal customers and team members.

Desirable

• Certification in a public cloud platform and in database products.
• Prior experience leading a database modernisation programme toward a lakehouse or modern data platform target state.

Success Attributes

Initiative, composure under pressure, strong leadership and interpersonal skills, analytical problem-solving, and the ability to work autonomously and self-direct.