Head of Technology – SG Market - FSI Industry

Overview

The Head of IT is responsible for leading the country/local market technology function within a Financial Institutions (FI) environment, ensuring secure, stable, scalable, and compliant technology operations aligned with business objectives and regional/global technology strategy. The role oversees both applications and infrastructure domains while managing complex stakeholder relationships across a highly matrixed organisation and leading regional/offshore delivery teams.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Leadership

• Lead the local market IT function across application delivery, infrastructure, production support, cybersecurity, and end-user services.
• Partner with business leadership to define and execute technology strategy aligned to regulatory, operational, and commercial priorities.
• Ensure high availability, resilience, and performance of critical banking/financial systems.
• Drive technology transformation, modernization, automation, and operational efficiency initiatives.

Applications & Infrastructure Oversight

• Oversee enterprise applications including core banking/financial platforms, digital channels, middleware, and data solutions.
• Manage infrastructure operations covering networks, servers, cloud platforms, databases, workplace technologies, and disaster recovery.
• Ensure integrated governance across both applications and infrastructure domains.
• Lead incident, problem, change, and release management processes.

Stakeholder & Matrix Management

• Operate effectively within a complex regional/global matrix environment with shared services and multiple reporting lines.
• Collaborate closely with global technology teams, operations, compliance, risk, cybersecurity, and business stakeholders.
• Influence senior leadership and navigate competing priorities across regional and local teams.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, system integrators, and support partners.

Risk, Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial services regulations, cybersecurity standards, audit requirements, and internal policies.
• Partner with Risk and Compliance teams to address technology controls, audits, and remediation activities.
• Maintain strong governance over operational risk, data protection, business continuity, and disaster recovery.

Team & Vendor Management

• Lead and develop local IT teams while managing offshore and distributed support/delivery teams.
• Drive accountability and service excellence across internal and outsourced functions.
• Establish KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics for technology operations and vendor management.
• Foster a high-performance and collaborative technology culture.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure stable BAU operations with strong incident response and crisis management capability.
• Oversee budgeting, resource planning, and technology investment prioritization.
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery, system reliability, and user experience.

Requirements

Experience

• 15+ years of IT leadership experience, preferably within banking, financial services, or regulated FI environments.
• Proven experience leading technology functions across both applications and infrastructure domains.
• Strong experience operating within complex matrix organisations across regional and global structures.
• Demonstrated experience managing offshore, distributed, or outsourced technology teams.
• Track record delivering large-scale technology transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
• Experience engaging with regulators, auditors, and senior stakeholders.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of enterprise applications, infrastructure platforms, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and IT service management.
• Familiarity with banking systems, digital platforms, IT controls, and regulatory technology requirements.
• Knowledge of ITIL, SDLC, DevOps, infrastructure operations, and incident management frameworks.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong people leadership and team development capabilities.
• Calm and decisive under pressure in critical operational incidents.
• Commercially minded with strong governance discipline.

Argyll Scott Singapore Pte Ltd
EA License No. 16S8105
Koh Ching Wen (Xu Jingwen)
EA Reg No: R1108631