Payments - Architect (Techno Functional)

Project description

A bank in UAE is embarking on a transformative PaymentHub Program to enhance its payment processing capabilities, ensure compliance with regulatory mandates like ISO20022, and support multi-country, multi-scheme workflows across Corporate, Retail, and Operational domains. To achieve seamless execution, the bank is seeking vendor expertise to establish robust program management and governance frameworks while designing and managing a scalable, secure, and compliant architecture that integrates with existing systems and supports future growth.

Responsibilities

• Build a robust, scalable, future-ready, target state and compliant architecture that integrates seamlessly with the bank's ecosystem and supports multi-scheme payment workflows.
• Establish seamless integration with existing systems (e.g., core banking, middleware, reconciliation tools) and external applications.
• Ensure high performance, scalability, and fault tolerance for the Payment Hub platform.
• Implement robust security controls to protect sensitive data during processing and storage.
• Design and manage a hybrid infrastructure that supports on-premises systems for production and cloud environments for non-production phases (e.g., SIT, UAT).
• Design APIs and microservices to ensure modularity, flexibility, and easier maintenance across integration points.
• Align architecture with regulatory standards, such as ISO20022 and central bank guidelines.
• Ensure functionality supports Corporate, Retail, and Operations needs, including multi-scheme payment workflows.
• Develop reusable components for future scheme rollouts to reduce time-to-market.
• Enable dynamic rule-based workflows to adapt quickly to new payment schemes and regulatory changes.
• Work closely with domain squads and platform squads to design and validate workflows and interface points.
• Conduct workshops and deep-dive sessions to align the architecture with business priorities.
• Provide detailed architectural documentation, including:
• Functional requirements.
• Integration designs and workflows.
• System scalability and performance guidelines.
• Conduct regular reviews of architecture for compliance with internal and external standards.

SKILLS

Must have

• At least 8 years of professional experience as an architect implementing large programs in Central Bank/Regulatory payments area.
• Experience of Payment Hub implementation and knowledge of Central Bank UAE payments scheme will be preferred.
• Experience of working in large organizations and collaborating with multiple entities/departments and managing senior stakeholders.
• Flexible to travel to the bank's international location, if needed.
• Experience in reviewing the technical product/services contract and working with procurement and legal for closure and alignment.

Nice to have

• Understanding/experience of the following payment platforms/Schemes: SWIFT, MUREX, Smart Stream (Cash Management System and Intraday Liquidity), Gloss.
• Experience in Banking/FI in relation to payments standardization, reconciliations, payments regulation, fraud, anti-money laundering, financial crime systems.
• Good understanding of the following operational areas: regulatory reporting, derivatives trade support, money market processing, bonds, collateral management, confirmations, credit control, fixed income trade support, loan participation, loan agency, and settlements.