Director, Data Center Service Lead (JRI-6083)

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services group located in Singapore is looking for an IT Infrastructure Leader. This pivotal role involves leading strategic initiatives in server infrastructure, including implementing hybrid cloud solutions, and ensuring compliance across regional operations. Ideal candidates should possess significant experience within banking and financial services, with proven leadership skills in IT transformation and project management.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in IT infrastructure leadership roles.
• 5+ years’ experience in banking or financial services.
• Deep understanding of compute, virtualization, storage, and backup.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development of server platform infrastructure.
• Drive cloud migration and modernization initiatives.
• Ensure scalability and performance across infrastructures.

Skills

Cloud migration and modernization

Vendor governance and multi-cloud strategy

Disaster recovery and business continuity planning

Strong stakeholder engagement

Change management expertise

Strategic thinking

Innovative mindset

Adaptability and resilience

Education

Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

VMware

Microsoft MCSE

Nutanix NCP

TOGAF

ITIL

Job description

The Japan Research Institute (JRI) Limited is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. SMBC Group is a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. JRI provides comprehensive, highly value-added information services through the coordinated application of its 3 functions. i.e. information systems, consulting and think-tank. As a system integrator, JRI offers services in IT strategy planning, implementation and outsourcing to a broad range of industries and activities. JRI Singapore currently supports the overall IT functions of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Asia Pacific Region.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and execution of server platform infrastructure initiatives in alignment with regional and global IT transformation goals, including hybrid cloud adoption, rationalization, automation, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee end-to-end server platform services including compute, virtualization, database, storage, backup, and hybrid cloud infrastructure, ensuring scalability, resilience, and performance across on‑premises environments.
• Drive innovation through the design, deployment, and continuous enhancement of secure, scalable, and automated server platform services, observability tools, and global engineering best practices.
• Oversee incident management and resolution processes, ensuring minimal disruption to server platform services, and ensure robust production support model covering the APAC region.
• Lead the infrastructure architect function to work with architect teams from other regions on uplifting infrastructure policies, solutions and engineering standards.
• Proactively and innovatively develop and maintain the overall infrastructure technology landscape that guide regional and global infra system rationalization direction.
• Foster a high‑performance culture by mentoring solution architects, engineers, and specialists, promoting continuous learning, career development, and team wellness through structured people management strategies.
• Lead cloud migration and modernization initiatives, ensuring seamless integration, cost optimization, and alignment with enterprise architecture and target infrastructure mid‑term goals.
• Deliver executive‑level reporting on infrastructure health, project milestones, risk posture, and cost‑performance metrics to support strategic decision‑making.
• Oversee and manage branches, subsidiaries and vendors on life‑cycle management, including regional or local project, technology obsolescence, and vulnerability management.

Requirements

• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10–15 years in IT infrastructure leadership roles
• Recent 5+ years’ experience in banking or financial services.
• Experience in regional or global IT transformation programs
• Proven experience in:
  • Cloud migration and modernization.
  • Vendor governance and multi‑cloud strategy.
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
• Professional Certifications (at least 1):
  • Enterprise Architecture: TOGAF, ITIL.
  • Technical: Microsoft MCSE, VMware VCF, Nutanix NCP certifications.
• Technical Breadth:
  • Hybrid cloud architecture
  • Virtualization (VMware, Hyper‑V).
  • Storage, backup, and disaster recovery.
• Regulatory Knowledge:
  • MAS, APAC regulatory mandates (BN RMiT, RBI, BOT, APRA, etc.)
• Technology Security or Risk Certifications (CISSP or CISM)
• Project Management Certifications (PMP or PRINCE)
• Deep understanding of:
  • Compute, virtualization, storage, backup.
  • High‑availability architecture and resilience.
  • Strong cybersecurity posture
• Knowledge of Technology Infrastructure vendors, and associated product/service offering
• Knowledge of industry technology trends
• Knowledge of IT security, Risk Management and Security Controls.
• Understanding of MAS, JFSA or APAC countries regulators’ technology risk guidelines or mandates would be valuable.
• Strategic thinking and ability to align IT with business goals.
• Experience managing distributed teams (onshore & offshore).
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Financial acumen for cost optimization and budgeting.
• Change management expertise.
• Ability to drive innovation and transformation.
• Adaptability and resilience in fast‑changing environments.
• Innovative mindset and proactive problem‑solving.
• High integrity and regulatory awareness.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills