Head of SWIFT Engineering

Highly important - Must be technical, having lead teams of developers, extensive hands on personal SWIFT experience and now managing people. This is not a Product/Programme/Project management position. This is heading up a technical team.

Payments Technology is a mission-critical function within the Wholesale Operations Technology Division, responsible for delivering comprehensive global payments infrastructure and solutions that enable seamless financial transactions across the organization’s worldwide operations. Operating through a globally distributed model, the team provides essential payments processing capabilities, SWIFT connectivity, and financial messaging services that underpin the organization’s core Wholesale banking operations and strategic initiatives.

The team structure comprises highly skilled SWIFT Engineers, Payments Infrastructure Specialists, and Product Owners. The team holds responsibility for executing and delivering complex, high-impact payments technology initiatives across the division, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and technological capabilities.

Working in close collaboration with Global Markets, Operations, Cash Management, and Compliance teams, Payments Technology maintains strategic partnerships across the organization. The team’s effectiveness is built upon strong stakeholder relationships and executive sponsorship within the business lines. Additionally, the function maintains robust partnerships with SWIFT, correspondent banks, payment networks, and technology vendors, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge payments solutions that meet evolving business and regulatory requirements.

The role is for an Executive Director to lead our Global Payments function (specifically the SWIFT Engineers), reporting directly to the Global Head of Wholesale Operations Technology. This executive-level position represents a transformational leadership opportunity to drive the strategic vision and implementation of next-generation payments infrastructure that will serve our Wholesale Banking operations worldwide.

The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing the technical direction, organizational strategy, and operational excellence required to deliver cutting-edge payments technology that positions our organization at the forefront of global financial services.

As Executive Director of Payments Technology, you will serve as the senior executive responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and implementing comprehensive payments infrastructure solutions that meet the evolving needs of our Wholesale Banking business. This role demands a visionary leader who can seamlessly integrate strategic business acumen with deep technical expertise in SWIFT messaging, payments processing, and financial infrastructure to deliver transformational capabilities across multiple business lines, geographic regions, and regulatory environments.

You will lead a global team of SWIFT engineers, payments specialists, and technical professionals while collaborating closely with senior stakeholders across the organization to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategic vision and technical roadmap for Global Payments Technology infrastructure (primarily SWIFT), ensuring alignment with Wholesale Banking business objectives and long-term organizational goals.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Global Markets, Compliance, Operations and Cash Management business lines to identify requirements, design solutions, and implement payments capabilities that drive competitive advantage and operational efficiency.
• Establish and oversee the technical direction and architectural standards for SWIFT infrastructure, including Swift Alliance Access, Gateways, and messaging platforms, ensuring scalability, security, and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global team of SWIFT engineers, payments infrastructure specialists, and technical professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
• Drive the development and implementation of comprehensive payments governance frameworks, compliance standards, and operational procedures that ensure transaction integrity and regulatory adherence.
• Optimize existing AML technology solutions and their integration with payments infrastructure to enhance transaction monitoring effectiveness, sanctions screening accuracy, and regulatory reporting capabilities while ensuring comprehensive financial crime compliance across all payment workflows.
• Partner with senior executives, business leaders, and technology stakeholders to translate complex payments requirements into scalable technical solutions and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, and vendor management for all Payments Technology initiatives, ensuring optimal return on investment and cost efficiency.
• Establish key performance indicators, success metrics, and reporting frameworks to measure infrastructure performance, business impact, and strategic value delivery across payments operations.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of payments technologies, SWIFT upgrades, and compliance solutions that enhance capabilities and maintain competitive positioning.
• Ensure robust risk management, security protocols, business continuity, and disaster recovery capabilities are embedded throughout the payments infrastructure.
• Implement comprehensive monitoring frameworks and operational controls to ensure platform resiliency, data integrity, and uninterrupted SWIFT message processing through real-time system health monitoring, automated alerting, and robust recovery procedures while maintaining the highest levels of data accuracy and completeness.
• Manage relationships with SWIFT, correspondent banks, vendor partners, payment networks, and regulatory bodies to ensure optimal connectivity and compliance.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives including real-time payments, API connectivity, and emerging payments technologies.

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required

• Management and leadership experience in financial services payments technology, with experience in a senior executive role focused on SWIFT infrastructure and global payments platforms.
• Proven track record of successfully designing, building, and implementing large-scale payments infrastructure specifically for Wholesale Banking or Investment Banking environments.
• Deep expertise in SWIFT messaging standards (MT and MX formats), Swift Alliance Access, SWIFT gateways, and related payments infrastructure technologies.
• Comprehensive understanding of global payments ecosystems, including correspondent banking, Compliance, cash management, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated success in leading large, geographically distributed technical teams and managing complex, multi-year payments technology transformation programs.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management, P&L responsibility, and demonstrating ROI for large-scale payments technology investments.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, regulators, and external partners.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, or related field; MBA or equivalent business qualification preferred.
• Proven ability to drive organizational change, establish new operating models, and build consensus across complex matrix organizations in payments environments.
• Experience with vendor management, strategic partnerships with SWIFT and payment networks, and technology procurement processes for enterprise-scale implementations.
• Deep knowledge of payments regulations, compliance frameworks, and risk management practices across multiple jurisdictions.
• Understanding of emerging payments technologies including real-time payments, digital currencies, and API-based payment solutions.

Nomura competencies

• Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.
• Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.
• Respect DEI, foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).