Principal Architect (Banking IT)

Office location:BaselDepartment:BankingUnit:Banking ITService:
Employment – Duration:2 yearsContract type:Fixed-termFTE%:100Application Deadline:12/02/2024

Description

The Bank for International Settlements is looking for a Principal Architect to join our Banking IT team. The position reports to the Head of Engineering.

This role is based in Basel, however, thanks to our status as an international organization, we can hire globally and welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities and located anywhere in the world. Relocation support is available for the successful candidate and their dependent family members.

Purpose of the role:

The Banking IT is a Line of Business (LoB) IT team managing software application portfolio that runs all banking activities globally, most of which are critical activities for the BIS. The application portfolio includes systems for electronic trading, EMS/OMS, financial messaging, assets management, data engineering and data integration. The team engages in in-house development, integration of SaaS as well as production support activities using agile and DevSecOps ways of working. We pride ourselves on our collaborative and can-do attitude, and our passion for excellence.

As a Principal Architect, you will lead architectural alignment on the strategic objectives of the Banking Department with Risk Management, Information Technology Services and Corporate Security. You will collaborate with leadership on strategy and architectural vision to satisfy the complex business and technological needs of the central bank reserve / treasury management and asset management needs today and well into the future.

By joining the team:

• As Banking IT Principal Architect, you will be a responsible for delivery of the Banking 2025 technology and architecture modernisation strategy underpinning the BIS banking services and will initiate work on emerging software technologies architecture.
• You will advise on the enterprise architecture across the Bank and actively engage in shaping Bank-wide architecture governance.
• You will work with a truly international team of professionals with a diverse set of personal and professional backgrounds and experiences.
• Benefit from the flexibility of hybrid working with a balance of home office and onsite work from our central office in Basel.

Principal accountabilities:

IT Architecture design and implementation

• Define and maintain all architecture-related aspects of the Banking IT strategy.
• Responsible for the architecture, data and system integration framework of Banking systems, current and future state
• Define and lead the high-level design of architecture maps for Banking (reference architecture), including key systems and information flows.
• Work with development teams across Banking IT to create and enhance applications architecture.
• Responsible for the integration layer framework and strategy, which includes middleware components of the banking IT architecture, including connectors, APIs and wrappers for core banking systems.
• Contribute to the design and development of key Banking technology projects by providing architectural oversight
• Implement and maintain security-by-design with regards to cyber- and IT security.
• Ensures Banking IT systems comply with BIS policies related to aspects such as security, risk, BCP and records management.
• Perform pre- and post-project architecture reviews
• Play a leading role in the identification and evaluation of new technologies.
• Assist the Head of Banking IT in the strategic planning

Advisory and technical leadership

• Represents Banking Department needs in the IT Architecture Group
• Provides technical and architecture leadership to development and product teams across the whole department.
• Act as an expert adviser to the Bank on application architecture and strategic technology issues and write reports for executive audiences.
• Foster collaboration, provide thought leadership and encourage innovation amongst central banking services community including participating on panels or giving talks
• Works with our client institutions and internal IT organisations on emerging technologies joint projects
• Designs emerging technologies architecture concepts for Banking Department (AI, blockchain, etc.).

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• University degree in a computer science related field.
• Strong experience and a clear record of achievement in asset management or treasury systems architecture and/or software development in banking, including an architecture leadership position.
• In depth experience with APIs, micro-service architectures, containerisation and message backbones
• Experience of creating and communicating architecture concepts and technology roadmaps
• Experience of working on cross-functional projects spanning multiple technology teams and business areas
• Experience working with complex enterprise data architectures with strong knowledge of relational database and NoSQL/big data technologies.
• Strong architecture modelling and visualisation skills.
• Excellent communication skills with proficiency in English.
• An ability to understand and adapt to a broad range of existing and new technologies.
• An ability to work independently.

Who we are:

The Bank for International Settlements is a diverse organization with colleagues from over 60 countries. By joining us in the international city of Basel, you will work in a unique, highly rewarding, and international work environment. We truly value diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the world we serve. We want the best people to work for us in an inclusive environment so welcome applications from all qualified candidates. At the BIS, we value equality and diversity in all its forms and one way we support diversity and inclusion is through our staff-run networks. You can discover more about diversity at the BIS here.

What the BIS offers:

We want your time at BIS to be a rewarding and career-enriching experience. We offer an agile and flexible working environment with hybrid working opportunities including home office and working from abroad days. To support our international applicants, we offer relocation support that extends to your dependent family members. In addition, thanks to our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including support for working families including childcare and education allowances (where applicable). Finally, we offer a genuinely unique international working environment, which will give you exposure to the global financial system and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate experts from all over the world.

We strive to ensure that individuals are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, and to perform essential job functions. Should you wish to request accommodation, support in completing this application or participating in the application process, then please reach out to the recruitment team at staffing@bis.org.