At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Middleware Platforms Support, ensuring reliable messaging and automation services.
- Company: Join SMBC, a trusted partner in finance with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to social change and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in finance while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in middleware and technology support within financial services.
The predicted salary is between 108000 - 162000 £ per year.
Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we'll always strive to be better, we're proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.
Role Summary: Lead our Middleware Platforms Support function, owning the strategy, resilience, performance and lifecycle of business-critical messaging, integration and workload automation services across EMEA. Develop specialist teams and drive modernisation, automation and monitoring improvements to deliver reliable, well-controlled services.
- Essentials of the role:
- Own service outcomes and platform strategy across IBM MQ, AutoSys and associated middleware services.
- Lead managers and technical specialists, building capability and coordinating delivery with global teams and third-party providers.
- Strengthen operational resilience, direct major incident recovery and ensure new or changed services are ready for production.
Candidate requirements:
- Proven leadership of middleware, production management or technology support functions within financial services.
- Experience accountable for IBM MQ and AutoSys or comparable workload automation services, including resilience, performance and lifecycle management.
- Strong people leadership, senior stakeholder influencing and risk-based decision-making, supported by experience in service governance and major incident management.
Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this role is £108,000 - £162,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.
Business Area: Production Management & Service Delivery keeps the technology behind SMBC Group EMEA's business running reliably, while shaping how those services evolve. Within the department, Middleware Platforms Support looks after the messaging, integration and workload automation platforms that connect critical applications and keep essential business processing moving.
You will work closely with Front Office, Treasury, Operations-including payments, settlements and trading operations-Finance, Risk and regulatory reporting teams, connecting their business priorities with resilient technology services. Alongside application development and support, infrastructure, architecture, cyber security, service management, and Monitoring and Observability teams, you will strengthen reliability, improve recovery and ensure change is ready for production.
Working with global technology colleagues and third-party providers, you will help modernise core platforms such as IBM MQ and AutoSys, reduce manual intervention and build a more automated, sustainable service. This is an opportunity to shape a specialist function with a direct impact on the bank's day-to-day operations and future technology capability.
Position Description: Lead the platforms that keep critical business processing moving-and shape what comes next. As Middleware Platforms Support Director, you will lead the specialist teams responsible for the messaging, integration and workload automation services underpinning SMBC Group EMEA's business operations. Your remit spans IBM MQ, AutoSys and associated middleware services, combining strategic service ownership with the leadership needed to keep critical platforms reliable, resilient and ready for change.
Reporting to the Head of Production Management & Service Delivery, you will set the direction for the function, develop its people and shape investment in platform modernisation, automation and Monitoring and Observability. You will balance today's operational priorities with the changes needed to build a more sustainable, less manually intensive service.
You will connect business priorities with technology delivery, working across business stakeholders, technology teams, global colleagues and third-party providers. From leading recovery during major incidents to challenging production readiness, you will bring clear judgement, technical credibility and a focus on business impact.
- Key responsibilities:
- Shape the future of middleware services.
- Support the strategy, operating model and roadmap, directing investment towards stronger resilience, simpler platforms and sustainable support.
- Take ownership of business-critical platforms.
- Lead service performance, availability, capacity and lifecycle management across IBM MQ, AutoSys and associated middleware services.
- Build capability that lasts.
- Develop managers and technical specialists through coaching, cross-skilling and succession planning, creating clear ownership and reducing reliance on individual expertise.
- Lead when it matters most.
- Provide senior leadership during major incidents, bringing teams together to assess business impact, restore services and communicate clearly.
- Turn recurring problems into lasting improvements.
- Drive root-cause resolution, strengthen recovery arrangements and address technical debt, control weaknesses and capacity risks.
- Make operations smarter.
- Champion automation, standardisation and better Monitoring and Observability to reduce manual effort and give teams clearer insight into service health.
- Challenge change before it reaches production.
- Govern operational acceptance for releases, upgrades, migrations and transitions, ensuring support, recovery, monitoring and control requirements are met.
- Connect teams around business priorities.
- Build effective partnerships across business, application, infrastructure, architecture, cyber security, service management, global technology and provider teams.
- Bring a clear voice to senior decisions.
- Translate platform risks and technical priorities into business terms, influencing governance decisions and investment priorities.
Competencies: Customer Focus, Driving Change, Driving Results, Embraces Diversity, Enterprise Leadership, Judgement and Decision Making, Risk Management, Strategic and Visionary, Trust and Integrity.
What we offer: For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it's only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-being and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members' perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work-life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.
As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Competitive paid leave days
- Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
- Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
- Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities
- Ambitious remuneration package
So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!
We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We'll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.
We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.
Director, Middleware Platforms Support - SMBC in London employer: SMBC
At SMBC, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that values diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where every employee can thrive. Located in a dynamic environment, our team enjoys access to extensive professional development opportunities and the chance to work on impactful projects that drive sustainable growth. Join us to be part of a collaborative atmosphere that not only supports your career aspirations but also encourages you to bring your authentic self to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Middleware Platforms Support - SMBC in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like SMBC. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from SMBC.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like SMBC. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Middleware Platforms Support - SMBC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in SMBC and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show SMBC how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at SMBC
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with SMBC.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with SMBC's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
