Tech and Global Payments Director

The Applications Development Senior Group Manager is a senior management level position responsible for accomplishing results through the management of a team or department in an effort to establish and implement new or revised application systems and programs in coordination with the Technology Team. The overall objective of this role is to drive applications systems analysis and programming activities.

Citi is seeking a visionary and results-driven Senior Engineering Manager to lead critical Payments' FX modernization initiatives within our major revenue-generating Cross-Border Payments Team. This high-impact role demands a strategic thinker with a proven track record of hands-on execution, capable of balancing long-term strategic vision with immediate delivery objectives.

As a pivotal leader, you will provide in-person leadership to a large, dynamic team in India, significantly shaping the culture of the Services Technology team in Chennai by instilling and driving principles of engineering excellence. Your primary focus will be orchestrating the strategic build-out of Payments capabilities for FX handling, a critical component of our Cross-Border Modernization program. This involves close collaboration with key Payments and Markets stakeholders to revolutionize this essential area.

This role requires exceptional communication prowess, bridging technology and business stakeholders, and comes with a high degree of visibility across the organization. You will leverage a deep understanding of building scalable, enterprise-level global applications to guide your teams. Beyond direct delivery, you will foster a culture of continuous improvement through active coaching and mentorship for the broader Services Tech Team in Chennai.

The ideal candidate is a dependable and resourceful software professional, thriving in a globally distributed, fast-paced environment that champions diversity, teamwork, and collaboration. The ability to perform under pressure and consistently deliver impactful solutions is paramount.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for providing technical leadership of multiple enterprise scale complex software solutions, with focus on recovery, stability, reliability, scalability and performance. FX/Payments experience will be definite plus.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented analysis and design, design patterns, high availability and concurrent programming.
• Cultivate and lead a high-performance engineering culture across diverse teams, championing a 'technology-first' mindset and driving the adoption of engineering excellence principles to elevate our technical capabilities and innovation.
• Manage/develop multiple teams of professionals to accomplish established goals and conduct personnel duties for team (e.g. performance evaluations, hiring and disciplinary actions) as well as ensure team adheres to best practices and process Develop vision for team around roles and responsibilities, and structure team to ensure greatest impact, efficient use of resource, and alignment to business structures
• Prepare and present regular team/project reviews to senior management and business leaders
• Drive the design and development of system architecture, work with end-users of the systems, and enhance the quality of deliverables Ensure staff follows Citi documented policy and procedures as well as maintain desktop procedures and supporting documentation for filings on a current basis and in comprehensive manner
• Monitor and manage approach/end results, budgeting, planning, policy formation, and contribute to future strategy of the area(s)
• Ensure change is managed with appropriate controls, documentation, and approvals including implementation of new and revised regulatory reporting requirements
• Research and resolve issues, provide recommendations, and escalate to senior management as needed
• Manage and maintain all disaster recovery plans, oversee appropriate testing, and provide permit-to-operate for new applications
• Lead and deliver local staff forums, present global, regional, and location news and updates to engage team in the progress of organization
• Contribute to defining and implementing best practices and processes for the department and ensure transparency and consistency across teams
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Technical / Functional Proficiency:

• Responsible for providing technical leadership of multiple large scale/complex software solutions, even by extending the existing platform through custom development, customization and integration with in-house solutions and vendor solutions leading to a complete platform that caters to key business requirements.
• Strong experience in working with various Payments schemes, preferably Faster Payments scheme of any country, and Payments messaging formats such as ISO 8583, ISO 20022, and SWIFT etc.
• Experience in building enterprise transaction-based system with focus on recovery, stability, reliability, scalability and performance.
• Responsible for providing technical leadership of multiple large scale/complex global software solutions for payment processor platform
• Conversant with various technologies, experience in transforming legacy systems to new age technologies befitting the needs of business function.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented analysis and design, design patterns, high availability and concurrent programming
• Interpret business strategy and determine innovative technology solutions with the ability to manage and evaluate data and innovation pipeline
• Design, research, develop, analyse and recommend new solutions to enable strategic decision making and go to market process
• Strong knowledge to design payment flows & provides solution.
• Work closely with Program Management and Quality Control teams to deliver quality software to agreed project schedules.
• Compliance with Citi's System Development Lifecycle and Information Security requirements
• Demonstrated excellent software development acumen. Strong experiences in implementation of the following technologies: Java, J2EE, Spring framework, Hibernate, JPA, App Server, JMS / MQ applications
• Experience in building multithreaded applications and troubleshooting complex issues related to it.
• Experience in working multiple OS (Unix, Linux, Win)
• Experience in performance tuning of large technical solutions with significant volumes

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of relevant experience working on payments landscape handled technical delivery and support. Hands-on development experience in Core Java, Springboot, and middleware technologies.
• 8-10+ years of managerial experience, with demonstrated leadership, management, and development skills.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in leading globally distributed and large teams successfully.
• Experience with financial products.
• Working knowledge of the industry and competitors' products and services.
• Advanced knowledge of strategic direction of the function within relevant part of the business.
• Strong expertise in driving complex program strategy and Implementation.
• Experience in application run the bank needs and production support management.
• Proven track record for innovation, payment strategy and overall technology governance.
• Project management, interpersonal, and communication skills, with high attention to minute details.

Education:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Master's degree preferred

Job Family Group:

Technology

Job Family:

Applications Development

Time Type:

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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