Head of Engineering Digital Solutions Team / IT Retail Banking Modernization Program Director

IT Retail Banking Modernization Program Director at Garanti BBVA International (GBI) will play a pivotal role in transforming our Retail and SME banking landscape by delivering a modern, cloud‑native, future‑ready banking platform. Your expertise in digital banking, technology transformation, enterprise architecture, and programme delivery will drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and ensure operational excellence across our banking ecosystem.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Lead the end‑to‑end technology delivery of the Retail Banking Modernization Programme, ensuring successful implementation of a scalable, cloud‑native platform for Retail and SME customers.
  
• Own the strategy, roadmap, governance, delivery, and operational stability of Digital Channels across Retail and Corporate Banking, including mobile, internet banking, employee portals, onboarding, self‑service, and digital servicing journeys.
  
• Define and oversee target technology architecture, ensuring seamless integration across Core Banking, Payments, API & Orchestration, Digital Channels, Data, KYC/AML, Fraud, Security, and Reporting platforms.
  
• Lead cross‑functional technology delivery in collaboration with Garanti BBVA Technology, business stakeholders, delivery partners, and other strategic technology partners, ensuring alignment on scope, quality, timelines, and budget.
  
• Establish and govern the technology delivery model by managing program planning, dependencies, risks, release planning, executive reporting, and decision‑making processes while aligning with enterprise architecture and business priorities.
  
• Chair and contribute to technology governance forums, architecture boards, vendor governance meetings, go‑live readiness reviews, and executive steering committees, providing technology recommendations and driving strategic decisions.
  
• Manage strategic technology vendors and delivery partners by validating solution designs, monitoring delivery performance, ensuring contractual compliance, and promoting knowledge transfer to strengthen internal capabilities.
  
• Ensure technology solutions are secure, resilient, scalable, and compliant with enterprise architecture principles and regulatory requirements, embedding Secure‑by‑Design and Privacy‑by‑Design practices throughout the delivery lifecycle.
  
• Lead data migration, quality, reconciliation, reporting, and operational data flow activities, ensuring reliable migration strategies and high‑quality data availability across business and regulatory platforms.
  
• Own the end‑to‑end testing, release management, production readiness, go‑live planning, and post‑implementation stabilization activities.
  
• Define the future IT operating model, establish governance for Digital Channels and Retail Banking platforms, build internal technology capabilities, and implement DevSecOps, Service Management, Release Management, and Operational Excellence practices.
  

Skills / Qualifications

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• Minimum 15 years of experience in Banking Technology, Digital Banking, Core Banking Transformation, Payments, or large‑scale Financial Services Technology Delivery.
  
• Proven experience leading enterprise‑wide technology transformation programs involving multiple internal and external delivery teams.
  
• Strong experience managing Digital Channels across Retail and/or Corporate Banking.
  
• Solid understanding of Core Banking platforms, Mobile & Internet Banking, Payments, API & Integration Architecture, Data Platforms, KYC/AML, Fraud Management, and Customer Onboarding solutions.
  
• Experience with Cloud‑native architectures, SaaS banking platforms, microservices, APIs, and orchestration solutions.
  
• Strong knowledge of European Banking regulations, including DORA, GDPR, PSD2/PSD3, AML/CTF, Outsourcing, and Operational Resilience requirements.
  
• Strong knowledge of Enterprise Architecture, Technology Governance, Cyber Security, Operational Resilience, and IT Risk Management.
  
• Experience with Agile delivery methodologies, DevSecOps, Release Management, Service Transition, and IT Operating Models.
  
• Proven experience managing executive stakeholders, technology vendors, outsourcing partners, and strategic technology alliances.
  
• Experience working with international organizations and distributed technology teams is highly preferred.
  
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, decision‑making, and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Fluent in English.
  

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.

What We Offer

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• A unique opportunity to work in an international banking environment alongside talented professionals from diverse backgrounds.
  
• 30 vacation days to support a healthy work‑life balance.
  
• A 13th‑month salary as part of our attractive compensation package.
  
• 8% holiday allowance paid annually.
  
• A company laptop and mobile phone to support flexible and efficient working.
  
• An annual appreciation payment recognising your contribution and commitment.
  
• A competitive defined contribution pension plan to help secure your future.
  
• Access to collective health insurance benefits, including discounts on additional health insurance coverage.
  
• A dedicated learning and development budget, together with unlimited access to Coursera’s extensive learning platform, helping you continuously expand your knowledge and skills. xnkfpon
  
• The opportunity to contribute to exciting transformation initiatives while accelerating your professional and personal growth.