SVP, Engineering Lead of Database, Data Platforms, Middleware and Web, Technology Group

This role will be the strategic, technical, and engineering leader for all database, data-platforms, middleware, and web services across the global estate. Reporting into the Head of Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Engineering, this lead will define and drive the next-generation strategy for data, database, middleware, and web services: evolving legacy relational systems (Oracle, SQL Server, etc.) while leading build, integration and migration to cloud-native, open-source, AI/agent-powered databases, data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, data mesh, etc.). The incumbent must combine deep technical credibility with visionary leadership and ability to partner with application, AI, analytics, and operations teams. Over the next 5 years, this role is expected to transform GIC's data infrastructure and middleware into differentiators for performance, scale, agility, and insight. 

What will you do as the Engineering Lead of Database, Data Platforms, Middleware and Web Services

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and own a multi-year roadmap covering databases (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc.), data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, data lakes, data mesh), middleware (message brokers, application servers, API gateways), and web services.
• Modernize monolithic, traditional systems toward cloud-native patterns, integrating streaming, operational analytics, and AI/ML readiness.
• Incorporate AI/AIOps for automated tuning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and self-healing across data, middleware, and web services.
• Oversee GIC’s SWIFT infrastructure and financial messaging evolution (e.g., ISO 20022), ensuring robust engineering, security, and regulatory compliance.

Engineering Execution & Delivery

• Lead globally distributed engineering teams responsible for building, integrating, and securing data/service layers.
• Champion DevOps/SRE best practices: Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and robust observability.
• Collaborate with app development teams to minimize latency, provide consistent data, and integrate solutions into existing operational models.
• Conduct technology evaluations, pilots, and vendor engagements (Snowflake, Databricks, open-source DBs, middleware tools) to drive innovation and resilience.
  
  

Security & Compliance

• Embed security, compliance, privacy, and audit requirements into the design from day one, ensuring regulatory and data residency mandates are met.
• Implement strong access control, encryption, vulnerability assessments, and continuous monitoring.
• Maintain consistent security baselines, leveraging automated checks and configuration management to prevent drift.
  
  

Governance & Collaboration

• Serve as the global authority for database and middleware architecture governance, ensuring consistency across clouds and geographies.
• Engage with executive stakeholders to present strategy, trade-offs, budget needs, and progress.
• Partner with security, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure alignment on risk management and operational excellence.
• Contribute thought leadership externally (conferences, forums) to enhance GIC’s presence in data and platform engineering.

Talent & Culture

• Foster a collaborative, “automation-first,” and innovation-driven culture, encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
• Set performance metrics (throughput, latency, cost efficiency, time to market) and empower teams to deliver on those KPIs.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership managing global, cross-functional teams in database, data engineering, middleware, or platform engineering.
• Proven track record migrating legacy relational systems to cloud-native/hybrid data platforms. Deep expertise in DB technologies (Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.), data orchestration, analytics/AI tooling (Snowflake, Databricks), and advanced frameworks (AIOps for predictive/self-healing systems).
• Certified AWS Solutions Architect Associate (preferred Professional). Skilled in modern DevOps, SRE, IaC (Infrastructure as Code), container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), and advanced middleware/web services (message brokers, REST, SOAP, API gateways).
• Significant experience with SWIFT infrastructure—engineering, security, regulatory standards, and operational best practices.
• Strong security background spanning authentication, authorization, encryption, and vulnerability management. Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, load balancing, and HA for distributed systems.
• Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and multi-region standardization.
• Innovative mindset, adept at championing organizational change and continuous improvement in large-scale, regulated environments.