Head of Core Banking Capability Development

Job Introduction

The Head of Core Banking Capability Development is a critical leadership position responsible for supporting the strategic direction, operational management, and continuous improvement of the bank's core banking platform. Although this role requires technical expertise, the primary purpose of the role will be to help drive the evolution of capability and capacity to deliver mission-critical banking systems whilst ensuring the stability and security of these systems. 

The role will work closely with the IBIS Heads of Service (Core, Payments, Customer, and Lending & Credit) to manage teams of technical specialists, oversee the maintenance and enhancement of core banking applications, ensure regulatory compliance, identifying and mitigating risk, and support the drive for modernisation initiatives whilst maintaining operational excellence, and help us future plan for the teams’ role.

Main Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership

• Support the development and execution of the technology strategy for core banking systems and infrastructure
• Contribute to the bank's digital transformation and modernisation roadmaps, balancing legacy system maintenance with modernisation objectives
• Lead technology integration activities where applicable
• Identify opportunities for system improvements, automation, and efficiency gains
• Provide technical leadership and direction to ensure alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Act as deputy in the absence of the Head of Core Enabling Technology

Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of core banking applications running on IBMi platform (AS/400)
• Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of critical banking applications
• Manage the RPG codebase, including maintenance, enhancements, and defect resolution
• Coordinate release management activities, including testing, deployment, and post-implementation support
• Monitor system performance and capacity, implementing proactive measures to prevent issues
• Evaluate and justify technology investments and business cases
• Monitor expenditure and ensure value for money, manage third-party costs and contracts.

Payments Systems Management

• Oversee the bank's payments infrastructure, including Faster Payments, CHAPS, Bacs, and SEPA
• Ensure compliance with payment scheme rules and regulations

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, build and develop a team of technical specialists, including RPG developers, system owners and administrators
• Manage geographically distributed teams, including remote resources where applicable
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and technical excellence
• Manage resource allocation, prioritisation, and workload distribution across multiple locations
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development planning
• Build capability within the team to support both legacy and emerging technologies
• Empower teams through inclusive leadership, clear expectations, and accountability

Risk and Compliance

• Ensure all systems comply with FCA, PRA, and mandatory scheme requirements
• Own all IT operational risks, audits, and regulatory reporting for core systems
• Coordinate internal and external audits, including ownership and remediation of audit findings
• Maintain robust change management and version control processes
• Implement and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity procedures aligned with RTO/RPO objectives
• Oversee security controls and vulnerability management
• Manage Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and provide regular reporting to senior management and Board
• Ensure thorough documentation of systems, processes, and procedures

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with business units, including Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders
• Prepare and deliver monthly progress reports for senior management 
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party service providers
• Collaborate with IT infrastructure, security, and architecture teams
• Act as point of escalation for critical service delivery issues
• Represent the department in cross-functional projects and steering committees

Ideal Candidate

Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second guess themselves and not apply - so if you are worried you don't meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying…

• Technical Architecture: Deep understanding of core banking architectures, integration patterns, middleware, messaging solutions, batch processing, workflow management, and RESTful API development.
• Database Management: Proficient in database administration, including resource planning, incident management, replication, backup and recovery, security controls, and data migration/upgrade projects.
• Regulatory & Security: Experience working in regulated environments with a strong understanding of FCA/PRA requirements, PCI-DSS, audit and control processes, cybersecurity principles, GDPR, and data-protection obligations.
• Core Banking & Payments: Demonstrable experience administering core banking platforms, knowledge of UK payment schemes (Faster Payments, CHAPS, Bacs), ISO 20022 messaging, payment gateways.
• Leadership & People Management: Proven experience leading technical teams in regulated environments either in Banking and/or financial services, managing competing priorities, developing high-performing teams, and making balanced decisions under pressure.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to convey complex technical topics to non-technical audiences, effective presentation, negotiation, and influencing abilities, supported by emotional intelligence.
• Development & Delivery Practices: Skilled in SDLC methodologies, version control (e.g., Git), DevOps practices, automated testing, and Agile/Waterfall delivery frameworks.
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Knowledge of hybrid infrastructure and cloud migration strategies, virtualisation technologies, modern data platforms, CDC/replication tooling, and regulatory reporting solutions.
• Crisis & Continuity Management: Background in crisis response, business continuity planning, maintaining service delivery during disruption, and providing calm, decisive leadership in critical situations.
• Problem-Solving & Analysis: Strong analytical mindset with structured troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, strategic thinking, and data-driven decision-making; comfortable acting as an escalation point and taking accountability for resolution. 
• Business Acumen: Understanding of banking operations and customer impact, ability to align technical solutions with business needs, commercial awareness, and strategic yet practical thinking.
• Project & Change Management: Experience delivering complex initiatives, coordinating multiple workstreams, applying change-management practices, and managing risks within regulated environments.

Company Information

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products. 

We are embarking on an exciting Business Transformation journey. This transformation will significantly enhance our technology system systems, processes and services, bringing evolution to our ways of working. Join us in this transformative journey, where your dedication, adaptability and commitment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of banking for our valued customers. 

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation. 

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information

At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long terms successful career with the Bank.  

What is in it for you?

• We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development. 
• Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance
• A market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds)

Application next steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.   

How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email uk_talent@careers.handelsbanken.co.uk. 

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.

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