At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Middleware Platforms Support, ensuring reliable messaging and automation services.
- Company: Join SMBC Group, a trusted partner in finance with a diverse culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and wellness support.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- 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’ll 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'll strengthen reliability, improve recovery and ensure change is ready for production.
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'll 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'll set the direction for the function, develop its people and shape investment in platform modernisation, automation and Monitoring and Observability. You'll balance today’s operational priorities with the changes needed to build a more sustainable, less manually intensive service.
You’ll 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'll 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.
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
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 employer: Sumitomo Group
At SMBC Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that champions inclusivity and employee growth. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering competitive benefits such as hybrid working, comprehensive health support, and extensive learning opportunities. Join us in London to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the banking sector while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Middleware Platforms Support
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Director, Middleware Platforms Support at Sumitomo Group!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Sumitomo Group or be willing to refer you for that Director, Middleware Platforms Support position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Sumitomo Group who’s on the lookout for their next Director, Middleware Platforms Support star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Director, Middleware Platforms Support role at Sumitomo Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Middleware Platforms Support
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Sumitomo Group. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sumitomo Group
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Sumitomo Group. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
