Assistant Director

[What the role is]

MAS' IT Department seeks an experienced professional with expertise in SWIFT-related domain knowledge, including standards, payments and securities, combined with strong technical knowledge in payment systems and SWIFT solution design capabilities.

In this role, you will provide comprehensive expertise in SWIFT-related business and technical workflows whilst overseeing SWIFT technical design. You will review SWIFT infrastructure architecture blueprints in collaboration with MAS internal cross-functional IT and operations teams to ensure architectural designs fulfil all requirements. You will also design and manage scalable SWIFT solutions that align with MAS's technology standards and integration requirements.

As the designated Point-of-Contact for third-party SWIFT technical teams, you will review and guide SWIFT infrastructure implementation planning whilst coordinating with MAS internal teams to ensure resource availability.

[What you will be working on]

SWIFT Solution Design:

• Design scalable and secure SWIFT infrastructure solutions that support current and future business requirements

• Create technical designs for SWIFT message flows, system integrations, and connectivity patterns

• Review and validate SWIFT solution architectures to ensure alignment with MAS technology standards and security requirements

• Develop integration specifications for connecting SWIFT systems with core banking platforms and applications

• Evaluate SWIFT technology options and provide technical recommendations for system enhancements and upgrades

Technical Implementation & Operations:

• Implement SWIFT message flows, routing configurations, and integration with core banking systems and applications based on approved designs.

• Configure and optimise SWIFT Alliance Access, Alliance Gateway, and related infrastructure components for maximum efficiency.

• Monitor SWIFT message traffic, system performance metrics, and availability statistics using platforms such as Zabbix and Elastic Search to proactively identify issues.

• Manage daily operational tasks including message queue monitoring, exception handling, and system health checks.

• Troubleshoot complex SWIFT connectivity issues, message processing errors, and performance bottlenecks to ensure minimal service disruption.

• Implement and maintain SWIFT Customer Security Programme (CSP) requirements and all mandatory security controls.

• Monitor SWIFT systems for security threats and maintain cybersecurity measures including network segregation, access controls, and threat detection systems.

• Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability testing, coordinating with compliance teams on regulatory requirements and audit preparations.

• Maintain compliance with local banking regulations and international financial messaging standards, particularly for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).

• Coordinate with SWIFT support teams, correspondent banks, technology vendors, and financial institution partners to resolve operational challenges and implement system enhancements.

• Execute SWIFT-related projects including system upgrades, new service implementations, and infrastructure improvements whilst managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of SWIFT configurations, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides.

• Provide training programmes and knowledge transfer sessions to operations teams and stakeholders, ensuring knowledge management systems remain current and accessible.

• Identify and coordinate with business process owners and third-party SWIFT teams to oversee business process modelling.

• Support process automation by coordinating with third-party SWIFT teams to ensure processes are automated and adopted by business process owners.

• Act as the primary contact with MAS functional team and translate the requirements to the third-party analyst and developers when necessary to automate processes

• Provide SWIFT subject matter expertise to the Program testing team to ensure the test coverage is comprehensive

• Provide subject matter expertise as required should contentions arise on the technical requirements during the design phase between the third party and MAS and provide necessary arbitration to achieve a common goal

• Provide operational guidance on best practices for implementation plans.

Procurement & Vendor Management:

• Lead procurement initiatives for SWIFT solutions, including preparation of comprehensive technical specifications, evaluation of vendor proposals, and contract negotiations

• Develop and execute procurement strategies that align with MAS's architectural vision and budgetary constraints, ensuring value for money and risk mitigation

• Establish and manage strategic vendor relationships with technology providers, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and business requirements

• Conduct comprehensive technical and commercial evaluations of SWIFT solutions, balancing cost-effectiveness with performance and security requirements

• Oversee vendor performance management and ensure compliance with contractual obligations and service level agreements

• Collaborate with MAS procurement and legal teams on contract approvals exceeding delegated authority

[What we are looking for]

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in the financial services, in particular in a technical business lead role with demonstrated experience in both hands-on SWIFT implementation and procurement management

• Extensive experience with banking operations, back-office business operations or back-office system integration knowledge

• Strong understanding of SWIFT-IBM MQ integration

• Strong technical background, with good understanding of SWIFT's products, services and applications, including SWIFT PKI, SWIFT Alliance Gateway, SWIFT Alliance Access, SWIFT WebAccess, SWIFTNet, FIN/MX ISO20022 messaging formats

• Strong knowledge of payments and securities messaging and their flows is a must

• Good understanding of SWIFT's Customer Security Program (CSP) and the proposed controls by SWIFT

• Experience in designing SWIFT technical solutions, integration patterns, and system connectivity architectures

• Strong understanding of API design, messaging patterns, and system integration methodologies

• Proven experience in vendor management and procurement processes, including technical specification development and contract negotiations

• Familiar with IT Infrastructure Technology Stack in a medium to large-scale implementation

• Familiar with Agile/Scrum

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Must be organized, able to work with minimal supervision in a fast-paced working environment and adhere to organisational process and governance

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, you may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.

This is a 2-year contract position. All applicants will be notified on whether they are shortlisted or not within 4 weeks of the closing date of this job posting.

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