Associate Vice President & Solution Architect

Job Description The Associate Vice President & Solution Architect will play a crucial role in driving the bank's strategic initiatives and architectural vision. They will be responsible for leading and designing innovative solutions, ensuring alignment with the bank's goals and regional banking practices. This role requires a strong technical background, excellent leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the banking industry. What You'll Be Doing • Own end-to-end solution architecture for the Core Banking platform (Finacle), translating business, product and regulatory requirements into robust, scalable technical designs. • Define and govern the target architecture for core product modules including Customer Information File (CIF), Loans and Liabilities, General Ledger (GL), Value Added Modules (VAM), and Liquidity Solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture principles. • Architect and optimize core banking frameworks such as EOD (End-of-Day) processing, batch cycles, and cross-application handoffs to ensure timely, reliable close-of-business operations. • Design integration patterns and interfaces between the core banking platform and surrounding applications (digital channels, payments, CRM, risk, compliance, data warehouse) using APIs, messaging and file-based interfaces. • Lead solution design for core customizations, extensions and upgrades, balancing standard product capability against bespoke development. • Provide architectural guidance across conventional and Islamic banking product lines, covering Large Corporate/FI, SME and Retail lines of business. • Assess UAE and regional regulatory requirements and translate them into core banking design changes, ensuring compliance by design. • Partner with business, delivery and vendor teams to define implementation roadmaps for core banking programs, upgrades and migrations. • Conduct architecture reviews, impact assessments and technical risk assessments for changes to the core banking ecosystem. • Mentor solution and technical teams, acting as the go-to authority on core banking architecture within the organization. What We're Looking For • 10+ years of experience within Banking and Financial Services Technology, with a strong focus on Core Banking. • Deep product and domain knowledge across core modules including CIF, Loans and Liabilities, GL, VAM, and Liquidity Solutions. • Strong understanding of core banking frameworks, including EOD processing, batch scheduling, and cross-application handoffs. • Proven experience integrating core banking systems with surrounding applications (channels, payments, CRM, risk, compliance) via APIs and middleware. • UAE banking experience with exposure to best-of-breed practices across conventional and Islamic banking, spanning Large Corporate/FI, SME and Retail lines of business. • Hands-on development and customization experience within core banking platforms (Finacle customization/scripting preferred). • Sound knowledge of UAE and regional regulatory requirements affecting core banking operations. • Proven implementation experience with tiered banks in the UAE region, across upgrades, migrations or greenfield core banking implementations. • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline. • Mandatory experience within Core Banking technology, specifically on the Finacle platform. Skills • Core Banking Solution Architecture (Finacle) • Product Domain Knowledge: CIF, Loans & Liabilities, GL, VAM, Liquidity Solutions • EOD Processing & Batch Design • Core-to-Ecosystem Integration & API Management • Conventional & Islamic Banking Practices • Corporate/FI, SME & Retail Banking Domain • Core Customization & Development • Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge • Implementation & Upgrade Delivery • Enterprise & Solution Architecture Governance • Vendor & Stakeholder Management Responsibilities • Lead and mentor a team of solution architects, providing guidance and support to ensure high-quality architecture and design practices. • Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into technical requirements. • Design and develop core banking solutions, focusing on Finacle implementation and customization. • Ensure compliance with banking regulations and best practices, especially in the UAE context. • Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in core banking and enterprise architecture. • Conduct architecture reviews and provide recommendations to improve system performance and scalability. • Work closely with the development team to ensure efficient and effective solution delivery. • Document and communicate architectural decisions and strategies to various stakeholders. • Participate in project planning and provide estimates for solution architecture efforts. • Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team. Qualifications • A bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably with a focus on computer science or a related field. • A minimum of 10 years of experience in core banking modules, including asset management, liabilities, GL, wealth management, and virtual accounts. • Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with Finacle, a core banking solution. • Strong understanding of banking products and practices, with expertise in both conventional and Islamic banking domains. • Familiarity with regional banking practices and regulations in the UAE is essential. • Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. • Proven track record in designing and implementing core banking solutions. • Experience in leading and managing solution architecture projects. • Ability to work independently and make sound architectural decisions. • Willingness to stay updated with industry trends and best practices. 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