Head of Architect (IT) - Virtual Bank

Job Summary

The Head of Architecture is responsible for defining, governing, and evolving the overall enterprise, solution, and technology architecture of the Virtual Bank. This role ensures that all technology platforms, systems, and integrations are secure, scalable, compliant, and aligned with business strategy, regulatory requirements, and long-term digital banking capabilities.

Job Responsibilities:

Architecture Strategy & Governance

• Define and own the enterprise architecture vision, principles, standards, and roadmaps for the Virtual Bank

• Establish architecture governance, review forums, and design-approval processes across all technology initiatives

• Ensure alignment between business strategy, product roadmap, and IT architecture

Enterprise & Solution Architecture

• Lead the design of end-to-end architecture covering core banking, digital channels, data, integration, cloud, and security

• Ensure modular, API-driven, and cloud-native architecture to support scalability and rapid innovation

• Oversee solution architecture for key domains such as onboarding, payments, lending, deposits, KYC/AML, and reporting

Regulatory, Risk & Security Alignment

• Ensure architecture complies with regulatory, security, and risk requirements applicable to virtual banks

• Work closely with Risk, Compliance, Security, and Internal Audit teams to embed controls by design

• Support regulator reviews, audits, and architecture-related submissions

Technology Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the senior architecture advisor to executives, product owners, and technology leaders

• Provide architectural direction to internal teams, vendors, and system integrators

• Evaluate new technologies, platforms, and partners relevant to digital and virtual banking

People & Capability Development

• Build and lead a strong architecture team (enterprise, solution, data, cloud, and security architects)

• Develop architecture capability, tools, documentation, and best practices

• Mentor senior architects and promote a strong architecture culture across IT

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related fields

Experience

• 12–15+ years of experience in IT architecture, with senior leadership responsibility

• Strong background in enterprise and solution architecture within banking, financial services, or regulated industries

• Experience with digital banking, core banking systems, or large-scale financial platforms is highly preferred

• Proven experience working with regulators, auditors, and compliance teams

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF or equivalent)

• Solid understanding of cloud platforms, API architecture, microservices, data architecture, and security by design

• Experience managing complex vendor ecosystems and system integrators

• Ability to translate business strategy into practical, executable architecture

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution mindset

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

• High integrity, strong risk awareness, and regulator-ready mindset

• Comfortable operating in fast-moving, transformation-driven environments