Director, Data Center Service Lead (JRI-6083)

THE JAPAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Singapore is seeking an experienced IT Infrastructure Leader to oversee strategic development and execution of server platform initiatives. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cloud migration and financial services, alongside strong IT governance skills. This role involves mentoring teams, managing vendor relations, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. A certain depth in technical certifications and experience in hybrid cloud environments is preferred.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years in IT infrastructure leadership roles.
• Recent 5+ years’ experience in banking or financial services.
• Experience in regional or global IT transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development and execution of server platform infrastructure initiatives.
• Oversee server platform services including compute and hybrid cloud infrastructure.
• Drive innovation for secure and automated server platform services.
• Ensure incident management and resolution processes.
• Mentor solution architects, engineers, and specialists.

Skills

Cloud migration and modernization

Vendor governance and multi-cloud strategy

Disaster recovery and business continuity planning

Strong cybersecurity posture

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Financial acumen for cost optimization

Education

Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft MCSE

VMware VCF

Nutanix NCP

Job description

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:

1. Cloud migration and modernization.
2. Vendor governance and multi‑cloud strategy.
3. Disaster recovery and business continuity planning.

Professional Certifications (at least 1):

1. Enterprise Architecture: TOGAF, ITIL.
2. Technical: Microsoft MCSE, VMware VCF, Nutanix NCP certifications.

Technical Breadth:

1. Hybrid cloud architecture
2. Virtualization (VMware, Hyper‑V)
3. 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:

1. Compute, virtualization, storage, backup
2. High‑availability architecture and resilience
3. 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