Head of Enterprise Architecture - UBP

Head of Enterprise Architecture

Description

The COO division encompasses several departments supporting the client-facing teams, with a global presence covering a multitude of activities and client services including Operations, Finance & Tax, Information Technology, Credit, Human Resources, Security & Data Governance, Programme Management and General Services. It strives to provide both in-house departments and external providers with a first-rate service to ensure our business operates efficiently.

Mission

The right candidate combines a strong functional expertise in the wealth management industry and a good technology background, with a strategic mindset and the ability to translate complex business requirements into effective IT solutions.

Challenges

UBP is looking at significantly increasing the maturity of its systems and technology. As such, we are strengthening our IT governance at large and our Enterprise Architecture service specifically. We are renovating our technology, rationalizing our system, reinforcing our standards, strengthening solution designs, managing obsolescence, defining, and documenting our target operating model. In this context the Group Chief Enterprise Architect will enforce the IT governance on all aspects of how we integrate, design and build software.

The position is a full-time position, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Main responsibilities

Functionally

• A strong functional expertise is required to take the right build vs buy decisions, rationalize our systems, and define our Target Operating Model and technology landscape of the bank.As such an excellent knowledge of the various banking functions and processes is required across the key functions of the bank (such as wealth management, client advisory, asset management, risk management, and compliance).
• The ideal candidate will have a good knowledge of the banking packages, financial products and their lifecycle, integration patterns, from core banking capabilities to client lifecycle management and the specific security and regulatory constraints of the industry.
• Also, excellent communication abilities in English (and French as a strong plus) are required to collaborate with senior management, business units, and other stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions. Acting as a clear and strong liaison between business and technology while ensuring a clear communication and alignments on objectives is a key strength.

Technically

• A strong technology expertise is required to structure the systems into an open platform build around a service-oriented architecture using micro services, and the promotion of the use of cloud based managed service implementations whenever relevant for the bank as an enabler is aligned with the wider technology strategy.
• The candidate will have to demonstrate leadership, a strong credibility, seniority and convincing abilities to drive and, when necessary, enforce changes.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Leadership

• The definition of the Target Operating Model of the bank is a key element of the role. We need to define the role and scope of the core banking versus specific functions around it. As such, the Chief Architect needs to have a strong functional Wealth Management expertise to drive and reach a consensus on the bank’s Target Operating Model jointly with the key functional leaders of the bank.
• Part of the role is to reduce the number of applications managed by the bank and therefore to drive consolidation initiatives. It will therefore be part of the role of the Chief Architect to propose initiatives to simplify and rationalize the bank technology environment around a consistent set of functional services.

Technology Leadership

• Document our technology standards: Our technology standards are evolving with the pace of technology. The role of the chief architect is to promote the current standards, enforce them but also make sure they evolve according to the best practices of the industry.Enforce the technology governance of the bank: The implementation of new services and solutions must be validated by the Enterprise Architecture practice. As Chief Architect, the candidate will be accountable for the solution designs in such a way that they comply with the technology standards of the bank.
• Identify and Initiate technology driven initiatives: The Chief Architect maintains an overall understanding of the bank’s software estate. As such the decommission and simplification agendas of the bank shall be initiated by Enterprise Architecture. Obsolescence must be managed, and technology upgrade initiatives must be driven by the Chief Architect.
• Data Modeling and collaboration with the Data Governance Office: UBP aims at controlling the amount of data duplication within the bank and enforce the consistency of its data models. As such Enterprise Architecture has a remit of documenting and enforcing the data models implemented throughout the software ecosystem.
• API Governance: As we are moving towards a service-oriented architecture, the governance behind our APIs become essential. Our APIs must be consistent, managed, entities well defined and documented under the governance of Enterprise Architecture.

Management

• We aim to strengthen the Enterprise Architecture group to drive the technology transformation of the bank. This will require the selection of the right architects and the management of the Enterprise Architecture service.
• The Chief Architect will have to present the key activities of its service, with key indicators indicating the performance of the service and proposals to increase the value of the service and accelerate the technology transformation of the bank.

Analysis and Domain Expertise

• Experience in wealth management / private banking.
• Ability to functionally understand the problem statements being solved for.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Strong understanding of security and compliance regulations.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions.

Education

Experience

Years of experience:

+10 : senior

Experience required:

Extensive experience (10+ years) in the banking industry in transformation roles, with a significant portion spent in the private banking sector.

Deep knowledge of private banking functions and processes, including wealth management, client relationship management, financial products, and regulatory requirements.

Proven track record of developing and implementing enterprise architecture strategies that drive business value.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Experience in private banking:

Mandatory

Language

English:

Fluent

French:

Fluent

Personal skills

Previous functional and technical leadership experience in the private banking industry at a senior level

Excellent leadership and management skills, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams

Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand the impact of technical solutions on business outcomes

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders

Proven experience in managing client stakeholders.