Head of Payments Platform Engineering - Barclays
Role Overview
The Head of Payments Platform Engineering will lead the end‑to‑end engineering strategy, architecture, and delivery of our next‑generation payments platform. This role is critical in building a modular, API‑first, globally scalable platform that underpins multiple payment types, schemes, and client segments.
Key Responsibilities
* Platform Engineering Leadership:
o Define and execute the engineering vision for a unified payments platform with clear SLAs, performance benchmarks, and a positive developer experience.
* Architecture & Design:
o Drive a composable, modular architecture enabling reusable services such as authorization, clearing, settlement, FX, and fraud detection.
o Ensure API‑first design, developer‑centric tooling, and self‑service onboarding.
* Global Scale & Compliance:
o Architect multi‑region deployments supporting diverse schemes (SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, RTP) with embedded compliance and resiliency.
* Data & Observability:
o Integrate real‑time data streaming, analytics, and predictive insights as core platform capabilities.
o Implement full‑stack observability and monitoring for high availability.
* Security & Reliability:
o Embed zero‑trust principles, encryption, fraud detection, and auditability into the platform.
* Engineering Culture:
o Build and lead high‑performing platform engineering teams across regions.
o Foster a culture of Agile, DevOps, and CI/CD for continuous delivery and innovation.
* Ecosystem Enablement:
o Deliver open APIs and SDKs for partners and fintechs, enabling API monetisation and innovation.
* Governance & Standards:
o Define and enforce platform engineering standards and separation of concerns between core platform and product layer.
Required Skills & Experience
* Technical Expertise:
o 15+ years in software engineering with at least 8 years in leadership roles.
o Proven experience building large‑scale, mission‑critical financial platforms.
o Deep knowledge of payments systems, schemes, and regulatory frameworks.
* Architecture & Design:
o Expertise in API‑first architecture, microservices, cloud‑native deployments, and distributed systems.
* Leadership:
o Track record of leading global engineering teams and delivering complex programmes.
* Innovation Mindset:
o Experience with Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, and modern engineering practices.
* Stakeholder Management:
o Ability to partner with product, compliance, and business teams to align technology with strategic goals.
Purpose of the role
To drive technical excellence and innovation by leading the design and implementation of robust software solutions, providing mentorship to engineering teams, fostering cross‑functional collaboration, and contributing to strategic planning to ensure delivery of high‑quality solutions aligned with business objectives.
Accountabilities
* Provision of guidance and expertise to engineering teams to ensure alignment with best practices and foster a culture of technical excellence.
* Contribution to strategic planning by aligning technical decisions with business goals, anticipating future technology trends, and providing insights to optimise product roadmaps.
* Design and implementation of complex, scalable and maintainable software solutions, considering long‑term viability and business objectives.
* Mentoring and coaching to junior and mid‑level engineers to foster professional growth and knowledge sharing, elevating the overall skillset and capabilities of the organisation.
* Collaboration with business partners, product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions and ensure a cohesive approach to product development.
* Innovation within the organisation by identifying and incorporating new technologies, methodologies, and industry practices into the engineering process.
Director Expectations
* Manage a business function, providing significant input to function‑wide strategic initiatives and influencing policy and procedures for the function.
* Lead a large team or sub‑function, embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. As an individual contributor, lead organisation‑wide projects and act as a deep technical expert and thought leader.
* Train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long‑term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions.
* Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function‑wide strategic initiatives.
* Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub‑function.
* Escalate breaches of policies / procedures appropriately.
* Foster and guide compliance, ensuring regulations are observed and relevant processes are in place to facilitate adherence.
* Focus on the external environment – regulators, advocacy groups – to monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, where appropriate.
* Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division or group to achieve overall business objectives.
* Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline, and insight into external market developments and initiatives.
* Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/sensitive situations.
* Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and strategic recommendations within own area.
* Negotiate and influence stakeholders at a senior level, both internally and externally.
* Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions or business divisions.
* Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Accounting / Auditing and Finance
Industries
Banking and Financial Services
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