OVERVIEW
Our client is seeking an experienced Head of Core Banking to serve as the organisation’s internal ex-pert on core banking systems, with a strong emphasis on Sopra Banking Software (SBS/SOPRA). This role bridges a critical knowledge gap following the departure of the current Head Architect, who held deep Sopra expertise.
Acting as the organisation’s Core Banking SME, you will provide technical leadership, challenge supplier proposals, guide integration activity, and ensure that the core banking platform remains robust, scalable, and aligned with our clients’ strategic objectives: particularly in relation to digital, cloud, and AI-enabled transformation.
This position sits within the Core Banking & Payments workstream and works closely with Enterprise Architecture, Sopra, Atos, and wider delivery teams.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Core Banking Leadership
- Review, challenge, and steer decisions relating to the core banking platform, with a primary focus on SOPRA/SBS.
- Act as the internal “voice of SBS/SOPRA” to ensure alignment between business expectations and product capability.
Technical & Architectural Governance
- Provide architectural and technical guidance for all core banking components and integrations.
- Evaluate, critique, and challenge proposals from partners and suppliers (e.g., Sopra, Atos).
- Ensure commercial and technical scrutiny of all banking products and agent deliverables.
Configuration & Product Expertise
- Configure and optimise the banking engine while maintaining strong understanding of product functionality.
- Provide subject matter expertise on our clients core products, especially Premium Bonds.
Modern Architecture & Transformation
- Lead digital, cloud, and AI driven integration strategies within the core banking estate.
- Promote and support event driven architectures and AWS aligned, cloud native patterns.
- Support large scale integration and migration efforts, including legacy system conversion.
Delivery & Governance
- Drive end to end architectural oversight across build, test, and release cycles.
- Work collaboratively with Enterprise Architecture, Programme Managers, System Integrators, and delivery teams.
Key Interactions
- Reports to: Head of Enterprise Architecture
- Works closely with:
- Enterprise Architects
- Programme & Project Managers
- Supplier teams
- System Integrators
- Core Banking & Payments delivery workstream
EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Deep, hands-on experience with core banking platforms, ideally SBS/SOPRA.
- Approximately 10 years+ experience in banking architecture, core banking engineering, or solution architecture.
- Demonstrable ability to influence, challenge, and direct suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Strong technical understanding of banking products, processes, and industry standards.
- Proven experience in core banking implementation and large-scale system integrations.
- Experience in FinTech or modern digital banking environments.
- Hands-on expertise with event-based architectures and cloud-native integration models (AWS preferred).
- Evidence of delivery ownership across full build/test/release cycles.
- Experience of legacy system conversion projects.
Team & Environment
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- Fast-paced, delivery-oriented environment.
- Requires someone comfortable working in a structured but evolving landscape.
- High autonomy with strong expectations for technical leadership and proactive challenge.
DESIRABLE SKILLS
- Previous public sector experience beneficial, though not essential.
- Exposure to large-scale regulated environments.
- Relevant cloud, architecture, or core banking certifications (or equivalent experience.