Who are we?

At Finastra, we’re a global leader in financial services software, dedicated to expanding access to financial services and shaping what’s next for the industry. Our technology powers mission‑critical solutions across Lending, Payments and Universal Banking, supporting over 7,000 customers, including 80% of the world’s top 50 banks, in more than 110 countries.

Director, Research & Development – CTO Organization (Global Pay Plus)

What will you contribute?

Reporting to the VP, Head of GPP Engineering, the Director, Research & Development will lead a global, cross‑functional engineering organization responsible for the technical strategy, AI adoption, product innovation, and delivery of the Global Pay Plus (GPP) platform.

This role is accountable for modernizing engineering practices using AI‑augmented development, driving intelligent automation, enabling AI‑driven decisioning, and embedding AI capabilities into both the engineering organization and the product itself.

You will lead architecture, design, data engineering, performance engineering, and software delivery while building high‑performing distributed teams across multiple geographies.

AI Leadership & Engineering Transformation

• Champion the adoption of AI‑augmented engineering practices (e.g., code copilots, automated unit test generation, intelligent refactoring, AI‑driven defect prediction).

• Establish the AI‑first engineering vision, ensuring productivity and quality improvements using AI tools and frameworks.

• Drive AI‑enabled automation across SDLC — including coding, testing, release management, documentation, and operations.

• Partner with architecture and product teams to identify areas where AI can enhance the GPP product, such as:

  • predictive analytics

  • anomaly detection

  • intelligent routing

  • fraud insights

  • operational intelligence

• Establish best practices for MLOps, data governance, and responsible AI usage.

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide technical and organizational strategy for all R&D areas supporting GPP.

• Build, mentor, and scale global engineering teams with a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Define engineering roadmaps aligned with modernization, cloud, and AI initiatives.

• Ensure disciplined execution, metrics-driven delivery, and strong cross-functional alignment.

Technology & Architecture

• Lead data architecture initiatives—data modeling, Oracle/Postgres optimizations, performance engineering, and cost-efficient design.

• Guide modernization from legacy systems to cloud-native, modular, AI‑ready architectures.

• Drive adoption of DevOps, CI/CD, test automation, and early-stage testability.

• Oversee analytics and BI strategy using Power BI, SSRS, MicroStrategy, and cloud-native analytics stacks.

Execution & Delivery

• Deliver high-quality, secure, scalable releases on time and within budget.

• Drive measurable improvements in defect leakage, release stability, cycle time, and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Oversee global hiring, talent development, and team performance.

• Partner closely with Product, Architecture, Program Management, Operations, and Customer Support.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education & Technical Background

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or similar technical field.

• Deep technical understanding with the ability to dive into complex architecture and engineering challenges.

AI‑Specific Experience (Critical)

• Proven experience driving AI transformation within engineering organizations.

• Hands-on understanding of:

  • LLM-based development tools

  • generative AI patterns

  • AI‑driven analytics

  • MLOps and model lifecycle management

  • AI-assisted test automation

• Ability to integrate AI into the product roadmap and engineering workflows.

• Experience evaluating and adopting emerging AI frameworks and platforms.

Leadership Experience

• 10+ years of engineering leadership in technology or product companies.

• Experience managing large global teams (100+ people) across multiple time zones.

• Strong talent development and organizational scaling capabilities.

Engineering & Delivery Expertise

• 5+ years of senior-level software development or architecture leadership.

• Extensive experience building enterprise software with high performance, reliability, and scalability requirements.

• Strong background in database systems, data engineering, performance engineering, and distributed systems.

• Experience delivering SaaS, cloud-native, and containerized applications.

• Deep knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and metrics-driven engineering disciplines.

Domain & Collaboration

• Payments or financial services domain experience is highly desirable.

• Strong communication, executive presence, and stakeholder management.

• Experience partnering with:

  • Architects

  • Developers & QA

  • Infrastructure & Operations

  • Program/Project Managers

  • Business Analysis teams

  • Offshore engineering & testing teams

  • Customer support

What This Role Enables

This is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of a global payments platform by infusing AI into engineering, operations, and product capabilities, while leading one of the most complex and impactful product teams within the organization.

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

·       Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.

·       Well-being: Access Confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, find support from our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and a calendar of monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive - Inside and Outside of work.

·       Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*

·       Sustainability: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.

·       DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).

·       Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.

·       Recognition: Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

*Specific benefits may vary by location.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!