At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Core Banking and Card Platforms, ensuring stability and driving innovation.
- Company: Join Investec, a forward-thinking bank that values curiosity and human connection.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, wellbeing benefits, and a flexible work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team in a culture that celebrates inclusion and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking technology while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in banking tech with strong strategic and financial skills.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
At Investec, we do things differently. We're a leading international bank and wealth manager built on a culture of curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit and human connection. Ideas are heard, ambition is celebrated, and impact is encouraged. As part of a team that challenges convention and strives for outperformance, you'll help shape bold solutions for clients who expect something more than the ordinary.
Our Core Banking and Card Platforms sit at the heart of everything Investec does for our clients. Every payment made, every card transaction authorised and every account serviced depends on technology that is secure, resilient and built to last. The Core Banking & Card Lead is accountable for the strategic leadership, operational excellence, delivery oversight and commercial management of these platforms.
This is a role for someone who enjoys holding three horizons at once. You will be accountable for running the Bank, keeping platforms stable, resilient and well controlled. You will be responsible for changing the Bank, delivering the capabilities that growth, regulation and new products demand. And you will shape the bank, setting a platform strategy and investment case that looks three to five years ahead. It is a genuinely senior seat: you will be the voice of these platforms, and the custodian of their architecture, integrity and long-term direction.
You will lead multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, product, architecture, delivery and operations, and work in close partnership with Product, Operations, Risk, Compliance and Finance, as well as with platform consumers across Investec UK, Investec Channel Islands and Investec Bank Switzerland. Alongside them sit our card schemes, processors and strategic technology partners. If you enjoy balancing competing priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture, you will find plenty to get your teeth into here.
What will I be doing?
- Setting and maintaining a clear multi-year strategy for the Core Banking and Card Platforms, and acting as long-term custodian of their architecture, principles and domain boundaries.
- Protecting platform integrity as new products, services and jurisdictions adopt platform capabilities, making decisions through a lens of resilience, scalability, security and commercial value.
- Leading the delivery of the platform capabilities that support business growth, regulatory change and new product development, orchestrating safe, predictable delivery across multiple teams.
- Establishing the governance, prioritisation and risk controls that balance change demand against operational stability, ensuring technology and operational risks are identified and mitigated early.
- Owning platform health, resilience, availability and service performance, backed by strong operational controls, monitoring and incident management, and driving continuous improvement through operational metrics, root cause analysis and engineering excellence.
- Owning platform budgets, forecasting and investment decisions, managing strategic vendor and partner relationships, and building the business cases that show where expenditure delivers real value.
- Acting as the senior technology voice for Core Banking and Card Platform matters, influencing decisions and giving executive stakeholders clear assurance on performance, risks and trade-offs.
- Leading and growing multidisciplinary teams across engineering, product, architecture, delivery and operations, building leadership capability, succession and a culture of accountability and ownership.
What are we looking for?
Essential skills and experience
- Significant leadership experience within banking or financial services technology, gained on credit, banking, payments, card or core banking platforms.
- A proven track record of running complex, business-critical technology services in a highly regulated environment.
- Experience balancing operational stability with strategic transformation and business growth, and a strong record of leading organisational change and delivery programmes.
- Strong commercial awareness and financial management capability, including complex technology investment portfolios, budgets, cost management and strategic vendor and commercial partnerships.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the confidence to make decisions on a three-to-five-year horizon while managing short-term business demands.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging Executive Committees and senior stakeholders.
- A proven track record of leading, developing and retaining high-performing teams, and of making sound decisions where priorities compete.
- A strong understanding of banking platform architecture, technology delivery, operational resilience, risk and governance, with the communication skills to make complex concepts clear to non-technical audiences at Executive and Board level.
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience across both retail or private banking and corporate transactional banking domains.
- Experience of modern cloud-native platform architectures.
- An understanding of core banking platforms, card processing platforms and payments ecosystems.
- Experience building platform operating models that serve multiple business consumers.
- Experience gained in a technology-led transformation environment.
- Familiarity with Mambu, Pismo, Visa and modern banking ecosystems.
- Experience leading geographically distributed teams.
- A strong grasp of emerging banking, payments and card industry trends.
As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote. We believe that being together enables us to live our values and support our clients and communities in an extraordinary way.
Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work.
Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation. We believe that innovation thrives when everyone feels respected, included, and empowered to contribute.
We actively seek out diverse talent and foster an inclusive environment, encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Here, you'll find networks, benefits, and development opportunities designed to support your career journey, wherever it may lead.
If this role excites you but you don't meet every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we are looking for. Get in touch!
At Investec, we're deeply invested in our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. It's more than a mindset; it's how we show up every day. Be part of something Out of the Ordinary.
Core Banking and Card Lead in London employer: Investec
Investec is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of curiosity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for Financial Planning and Analysis professionals. With a commitment to employee wellbeing, a flexible working model, and a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, we provide ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in the vibrant city of London. Join us to be part of a team that not only drives financial performance but also fosters a sense of belonging and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Core Banking and Card Lead in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Investec. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Core Banking and Card Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Investec.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Investec's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Investec
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Investec.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Investec will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Investec employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
