Lead Core Banking Architecture Cloud & AI Transformation

Head of Banking Software Architecture - Contract

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

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

Technical & Architectural Governance

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

Configuration & Product Expertise

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

Modern Architecture & Transformation

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

Delivery & Governance

• Oversee end-to-end architecture across build, test, and release cycles
• Collaborate with architecture, programme, and delivery stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes

• Extensive experience working with core banking platforms (ideally within a major packaged solution environment)
• Strong background in banking architecture, solution architecture, or core banking engineering (typically 10+ years)
• Proven ability to influence, challenge, and manage both internal stakeholders and third-party suppliers
• Deep understanding of retail banking products, processes, and industry standards
• Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale core banking implementations and integrations
• Strong knowledge of modern digital banking and Fin Tech environments
• Hands-on experience with event-driven architectures and cloud-native integration (AWS preferred)
• Experience owning delivery across full lifecycle (build, test, release)
• Background in legacy system transformation or migration programmes

• Experience with in highly regulated or public sector environments
• Exposure to large-scale transformation programmes
• Relevant certifications in cloud, architecture, or banking platforms

• Opportunity to shape the future of a critical core banking platform
• High-impact role with significant autonomy and influence
• Exposure to large-scale digital and cloud transformation initiatives
• Collaborative environment working alongside senior architecture and delivery professionals

For more information or to apply, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.