Lead Core Banking Architecture for Cloud & AI Transformation

Employment Type: Contract - Inside IR35

Duration: 6 Months

Location: Central London

Day Rate: Highly Competitive - Get in touch to find out more

A leading financial services organisation is seeking a Head of Banking Software Architecture to act as the internal subject matter expert for its core banking platform. This is a pivotal leadership role, stepping in to bridge a critical knowledge gap and provide strategic and technical direction across a complex banking environment.

You will take ownership of core banking architecture, with a strong focus on a leading European core banking platform, ensuring the system is robust, scalable, and aligned with the organisation’s broader digital, cloud, and AI transformation strategy.

This role sits within a core banking and payments function and works closely with enterprise architecture, key technology partners, and delivery teams across the business.

Core Banking Leadership

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• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the core banking platform
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• Act as the internal subject matter expert, aligning business requirements with platform capabilities
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• Review and challenge decisions relating to core banking systems and associated technologies
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Technical & Architectural Governance

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• Deliver architectural guidance across core banking components and integrations
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• Critically evaluate proposals from third-party partners and system integrators
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• Ensure robust technical and commercial scrutiny of deliverables
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Configuration & Product Expertise

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• Support configuration and optimisation of the core banking engine
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• Provide expertise across key retail banking products
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• Ensure platform capabilities are fully leveraged to meet business needs
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Modern Architecture & Transformation

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• Lead cloud-native, digital, and AI-driven integration strategies
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• Champion event-driven architecture and modern integration patterns (AWS-aligned)
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• Support large-scale transformation initiatives, including legacy system migration
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Delivery & Governance

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• Oversee end-to-end architecture across build, test, and release cycles
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• Collaborate with architecture, programme, and delivery stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes
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• Extensive experience working with core banking platforms (ideally within a major packaged solution environment)
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• Strong background in banking architecture, solution architecture, or core banking engineering (typically 10+ years)
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• Proven ability to influence, challenge, and manage both internal stakeholders and third-party suppliers
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• Deep understanding of retail banking products, processes, and industry standards
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• Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale core banking implementations and integrations
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• Strong knowledge of modern digital banking and FinTech environments
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• Hands-on experience with event-driven architectures and cloud-native integration (AWS preferred)
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• Experience owning delivery across full lifecycle (build, test, release)
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• Background in legacy system transformation or migration programmes
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• Experience within highly regulated or public sector environments
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• Exposure to large-scale transformation programmes
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• Relevant certifications in cloud, architecture, or banking platforms
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• Opportunity to shape the future of a critical core banking platform
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• High-impact role with significant autonomy and influence
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• Exposure to large-scale digital and cloud transformation initiatives
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• Collaborative environment working alongside senior architecture and delivery professionals
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For more information or to apply, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.