Department Head – Enterprise Architecture
Location: Doha, Qatar
Function: Technology & Operations – Information Technology
Reporting Line: Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly accomplished and forward-thinking Enterprise Architecture leader to drive the strategic direction, governance, and execution of enterprise-wide technology architecture.
This role is pivotal in shaping the bank's digital transformation agenda, ensuring alignment between business strategy, technology investments, and operational capabilities. The incumbent will lead the development of a holistic enterprise architecture framework spanning applications, data, infrastructure, and security, while enabling innovation, resilience, and regulatory compliance.
As a key member of the technology leadership team, this role will actively influence strategic decision-making, IT investments, and modernization initiatives, ensuring the bank remains competitive in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape.
Key Accountabilities
1. Enterprise Architecture Strategy & Governance
- Define, lead, and continuously evolve the enterprise architecture strategy and roadmap aligned with business goals and digital priorities
- Establish and enforce architecture governance frameworks, standards, policies, and principles across the organization
- Lead architecture review boards to ensure solution adherence, consistency, and long-term sustainability
- Translate business vision into scalable, secure, and future-ready technology blueprints
- Provide strategic advisory to executive leadership on technology direction, risks, and investment prioritization
2. Digital Transformation & Innovation
- Drive enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives, including:
- Cloud adoption and hybrid architecture
- Open banking and API ecosystems
- Microservices and modern application design
- Identify and evaluate emerging technologies such as AI/ML, blockchain, and fintech integrations
- Champion innovation across customer experience, digital channels, and operational efficiency
- Benchmark against industry standards and competitors to ensure technological leadership
3. Applications, Data & Integration Architecture
- Develop and maintain current-state and target-state architecture landscapes
- Oversee application portfolio management, including rationalization and modernization initiatives
- Define and govern enterprise data architecture, ensuring strong data governance, lineage, and quality
- Enable advanced analytics, AI, and regulatory reporting through scalable data platforms
- Lead enterprise integration strategy across API gateways, ESB, middleware, and event-driven systems
4. Infrastructure, Cloud & Security Architecture
- Define and implement cloud and hybrid infrastructure strategies
- Lead infrastructure modernization initiatives (virtualization, containerization, orchestration)
- Ensure architecture supports high availability, scalability, and resilience
- Embed robust cybersecurity, data privacy, and risk controls into architecture design
- Ensure compliance with international standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, PCI DSS
5. Operational Excellence & Performance Management
- Establish enterprise-wide monitoring and performance frameworks
- Define KPIs, SLAs, and metrics for system reliability, availability, and throughput
- Ensure robust disaster recovery, business continuity, and resilience planning
- Promote adoption of DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and automation to enhance delivery speed and quality
- Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on architecture performance, risks, and opportunities
6. Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Drive collaboration between business, IT, and executive stakeholders
- Evaluate and manage strategic partnerships with technology vendors and solution providers
- Provide architectural oversight for implementation of third-party banking platforms (payments, AML, etc.)
- Influence investment decisions through structured cost, risk, and value assessments
7. Leadership & People Management
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing Enterprise Architecture team
- Set clear performance objectives and drive a culture of accountability and innovation
- Develop team capabilities aligned with emerging technologies and banking trends
- Drive effective collaboration across cross-functional teams and projects
- Ensure readiness for internal and external audits, and timely resolution of findings
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Extensive experience in Enterprise Architecture leadership, preferably within banking or financial services
- Proven track record in delivering large-scale digital transformation programs
- Strong experience across applications, data, infrastructure, and security architecture domains
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF or equivalent)
- Deep expertise in:
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, hybrid)
- API-driven architecture & microservices
- Enterprise data architecture & analytics platforms
- Cybersecurity frameworks and governance
- Experience with modern engineering practices (Agile, DevOps, CI/CD)
Leadership & Behavioral Skills
- Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capability
- Excellent stakeholder management at executive level
- Ability to drive change and influence across large organizations
⚠️ Important Note
We are specifically seeking candidates who bring:
- Proven leadership experience in Enterprise Architecture within banking or financial services
- Strong expertise across cloud, APIs, data, and cybersecurity domains
- A track record of delivering large-scale digital transformation programs
- Demonstrated ability to influence at C-suite level and drive strategic outcomes
