Dr. Director, Core Banking Strategy & Transformation (Center of Excellence) 5178

Dr. Director, Core Banking Strategy & Transformation (Center of Excellence)Location: RemoteEligibility Requirement: Candidates must reside in one of the following states: Arkansas (AR), Missouri (MO), Oklahoma (OK), Kansas (KS), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Tennessee (TN), or Texas (TX)Compensation: $200K–$275K base + bonus + profit sharing. Up to $350K/year total compensation. Role OverviewThe Senior Director of Core Banking (Center of Excellence) will lead the fundamental re-imagining of the bank’s operational core, transforming technology from a business constraint into a primary engine for growth.This role is central to architecting the organization for its next phase—building an Enterprise Digital Backbone that supports a $40B future. The leader will drive the modernization of a complex, multi-core banking ecosystem while aligning business strategy, technology platforms, and organizational structure.Mission & Strategic ObjectiveMission: Transform core banking into a scalable, modern, and business-aligned ecosystemObjective: Build an Enterprise Digital Backbone that enables speed, agility, and innovation across all banking domainsKey ResponsibilitiesCore Transformation & ArchitectureLead the deconstruction of a 30-year-old monolithic core environment into modular, scalable componentsDrive the transition of:Account origination → Terafina (Salesforce-based)Servicing → Salesforce Service CloudImplement modern architectural principles including:Event-Driven Architecture (EDA)CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)Reduce point-to-point integrations and enable loosely coupled, domain-driven servicesPlatform Strategy & OversightOwn the strategy and optimization of core platforms (Fiserv, Signature, Thought Machine Vault, TSYS, FIS, etc.)Establish and maintain a capability roadmap aligned with enterprise and product strategyDrive platform simplification, reuse, and scalabilityManage vendor relationships across key core providersOperating Model TransformationTransition the organization from a platform-centric to a domain-based, business-aligned modelEstablish best practices across:CI/CD and release managementCapacity planning and prioritizationWorkflow governance and execution frameworksBuild a scalable structure supporting both:“Keep the lights on” operationsNew product and platform innovationStrategic Alignment & Business PartnershipAct as the bridge between business, product, and technology teamsEnsure all initiatives align with both:Immediate business needs (growth, revenue)Long-term architecture goalsDefine and track ROI and IRR metrics for platform investmentsRisk, Security & CompliancePartner with Information Security to enforce best practices across platformsEnsure compliance with:Regulatory requirementsBSA/AML standardsPCI and Non-Public Information (NPI) protectionsOwn resilience strategy including:Business continuityDisaster recoveryLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead a team of ~40 (4–6 direct reports)Redesign organizational structure for scale and efficiencyCoach and develop talent to align with evolving technical and business needsPlay a key role in leadership succession planningRequired Experience15+ years in banking, financial services, or fintech10+ years of relevant experience across technology, operations, or platform leadership5+ years of leadership experience managing teamsDeep expertise across core banking platforms and multiple lines of businessTechnical & Architectural ExpertiseStrong understanding of:Event-Driven Architecture (EDA)CQRS patternsDistributed systems and modern integration patternsExperience modernizing legacy monolithic systems into modular architecturesKnowledge of:Customer 360 / Operational Data StoresTransaction processing systemsPayment hubs (e.g., Fiserv EPP)Experience building observability practices (telemetry, tracing, monitoring)Strategic & Problem-Solving CapabilitiesProven ability to:Address scalability constraints in legacy environmentsBalance modernization with ongoing deliveryAlign infrastructure investments to business outcomesExperience navigating complex environments with multiple stakeholdersLeadership CompetenciesTrack record of improving:Speed to market (target: 50% reduction in lead time)System reliability (target: 99.99% uptime)Strong cross-functional collaboration skillsAbility to influence without direct authority in complex organizationsPreferred BackgroundExperience across multiple institutions or environmentsBackground with core providers (Fiserv, FIS, Thought Machine, etc.)Exposure to M&A or platform consolidation initiativesCertifications such as Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or banking/finance credentialsCompensation & BenefitsBase Salary: $200K–$275KAnnual Bonus: Target 25% of base salary, with potential payout up to 150% of target based on performanceProfit Sharing: Included as part of total rewards401(k): Immediate vestingComprehensive health, financial, and wellness benefitsWhat Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)Stand up a domain-based operating modelEstablish structured delivery, capacity, and governance processesDeliver measurable progress toward a modern digital core architectureImprove alignment between business priorities and technology executionAdvance adoption of next-generation core platformsKey Interview TopicsCandidates should be prepared to discuss:Leading multi-year core modernization effortsApplying EDA and CQRS in real-world environmentsAligning infrastructure investments with customer and business needsDesigning secure architectures that minimize PCI and compliance scopeWhy This RoleOpportunity to lead a full-scale transformation of a core banking ecosystemDirect impact on enterprise growth and digital strategyHigh visibility with executive leadershipClear path toward expanded leadership responsibility