Director, Senior Solution Architect Lead (JRI-5722)

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch) seeks a Senior Solution Architect to lead enterprise-wide technology solutions for financial services. You will design end-to-end architectures, align with IT strategy, and mentor a team of architects across integration, data, and cloud domains.

Minimum 15 years in financial IT with strong experience in solution design, enterprise integration, and modern engineering practices. Singapore-based role supporting local SMBC Group initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the conceptualization of technical solution architecture based on project requirements and IT strategy.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, SMEs, and vendors to ensure architecture aligns with standards and objectives.
• Act as bridge between enterprise architects and delivery teams; provide technical leadership and mentoring.
• Review and update technical documentation; drive architecture reviews and buy-in from IT management.

Skills

Solution architecture

Banking domain knowledge

DevOps

Docker

Kubernetes

Azure

Data warehousing

TOGAF

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science / computer engineering / information systems

Tools

IBM MQ

RedHat OpenShift

Instana

Oracle

MS-SQL

Azure cloud services

Job description

Location: Singapore

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 the Asia Pacific region.

Responsibilities

• Drive and responsible for the conceptualization of the technical solution architecture based on project’s requirements and IT strategies.
• Work with enterprise architects, systems SMEs and product vendors to ensure proposed solution architecture / approach is in line with enterprise IT strategy, standards and guidelines while meeting the project objectives.
• Act as a bridge between the enterprise architects and the project’s technical delivery team.
• Provide technical leadership in evaluating new technologies, frameworks and platform capabilities to enhance the proposed solution.
• Mentor development teams/ technical leads in adhering to architecture principles and design patterns.
• Create and update/review the technical documentation for the proposed solution architecture.
• Communicate effectively with cross functional stakeholders to drive the solution architecture review process and approval.
• Articulate and get buy-in for the technical solution from IT management and the enterprise technology/architecture board.
• Provide team leadership role in developing, mentoring and managing a team of solution architectures to drive the team value services and objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance for the solution architect team, ensuring that the team deliverables are of quality, on time, meeting both functional and non functional requirements including performance, reliability, security and scalability.
• Stay updated with the advancement in technology trends and technology platforms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information systems or related discipline.
• At least 15 years of working experience in the financial industry with minimum 10 years in solution design and architecture roles.
• Familiar with the system and project implementation lifecycle in a Banking environment.
• Experience ina people management and team leadership capacity in guiding and developing a team of solution architects.
• Experience in designing and implementing large-scale, enterprise-wide technology solutions involving end to end integration between channels, systems, middleware, data warehouse etc.
• Experienced in architecting solution with integration to commercial off the shelf product and cloud solution are highly desirable.
• Experience in application modernization and application/data migrations tools and strategy.
• Familiar with broad Banking technologies, application systems and industry trends.
• Technical experience and knowledge in the following are desirable:
  • Modern engineering practices – DevOps, Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), Micro Services architecture and Enterprise Integration patterns.
  • Data platform (Oracle and MS-SQL) and Data architecture (Data Warehouse, Data Lake)
  • Microsoft Azure cloud computing services (APIM, Function App, Logic Apps, Azure SQL DB)
  • Middleware technologies (IBM MQ, IWA, MFT)
  • Container orchestration platforms (RedHat OpenShift) and application monitoring tools (IBM Instana)
  • Enterprise network infrastructure (WAN, LAN, SD-WAN, Cloud Networking, Network Security)
• Having implementation, functional, operational knowledge in at least two of the following domains:
  • Payments
  • Cash management
  • Customer touchpoints (Internet/mobile)
  • Customer onboarding & AML
  • Digital workflow
  • Data warehouse & analytics
• Professional certification in TOGAF and cloud solution architect or similar are highly desirable.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to convey technical concepts and get buy in from management and stakeholders.
• Analytical with problem solving mindset and attention to details.