Head of Core Banking Tech Strategy & Architecture

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is seeking an ED, Core Banking Tech Strategy & Architecture Lead in Singapore to define target-state architecture and the platform strategy for core banking and payments transformation.

Lead governance forums, oversee end-to-end delivery, drive modernization to API-led microservices, and ensure resilience, security, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in enterprise technology, software engineering, and architecture within banking or financial services.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale core banking and payments transformations.
• Deep architectural and technical expertise in modernising legacy cores and real-time payments.
• Knowledge of API-led connectivity, microservices, deployments, event-driven architecture, and containerisation.
• Experience in data migration, integrity validation, and complex cutover execution.

Responsibilities

• Define target-state architecture and platform strategy for core banking and payments transformation.
• Drive modernization to API-led, microservices-based architectures with high availability and resilience.
• Establish architecture governance, ARBs, and security baselines across multiple jurisdictions.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery lifecycle from design to testing and cutover planning.
• Collaborate with vendors, internal teams, and regulators to ensure compliance and delivery.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Cloud & microservices

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

APIs

DevOps

Security standards

Job description

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is seeking an ED, Core Banking Tech Strategy & Architecture Lead in Singapore to define target-state architecture and the platform strategy for core banking and payments transformation.

Lead governance forums, oversee end-to-end delivery, drive modernization to API-led microservices, and ensure resilience, security, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.