A major European retail banking group is transforming its technology landscape to support digital customer journeys, cross-border collaboration and data-driven operations across Europe. Within the IT Strategy Office, this senior role combines IT project management with enterprise architecture and IT analysis to shape CIO-level recommendations on legacy modernization and application rationalization, as well as other strategic technology decisions.
The mission
The IT Strategy Office supports the CIO as a trusted advisory function for strategic technology decisions in retail banking. It assesses choices across an international environment where core banking systems, payments, channels, regulatory constraints and legacy platforms must be considered together. Recommendations need to be actionable, concise and aligned with delivery realities, often within a fixed timeline such as two weeks rather than a three-month analysis cycle.
You will take a broad or initially ambiguous question, investigate the relevant technical landscape and define the strategic question behind it. Drawing on enterprise architecture, solution architecture, systems analysis and technical leadership, you will assemble ad-hoc cross-functional expert groups and guide them towards a clear recommendation. Your output will support decisions on modernization, application portfolios, cross-border initiatives and the future direction of IT, without taking over the detailed design work of architects.
Your responsibilities
- Frame ambiguous CIO questions as clear decision points, giving senior management a concise recommendation, realistic options, trade-offs and implementation implications.
- Lead short, focused workstreams with architects, analysts, security, data and business stakeholders to reach alignment and produce decision-ready outcomes.
- Evaluate strategic choices involving cloud computing, API-led connectivity, core banking modernization, agentic AI, data architectures, DevSecOps and AI-driven cyber threats.
- Prepare executive-ready PowerPoint presentations and memos that turn technical findings into practical direction for senior management.
- Build support across a matrix organisation and secure adoption of recommendations without relying on formal authority.
Your profile
Essential skills
- Bring at least 10 years of IT experience and an enterprise architecture or solution architecture background, with hands-on experience in systems analysis, IT analysis or a Tech Lead role.
- Translate deep technical analysis into strategic IT recommendations without taking over detailed design or delivery ownership.
- Understand modern IT paradigms, including cloud computing, API-led connectivity, core banking modernization, agentic AI, data architectures, DevSecOps and AI-driven cyber threats.
- Have moved from an architecture, analysis or technical leadership background into IT Strategy Consulting, an internal Strategy Office or a Chief of Staff / Advisor role in a large IT organisation.
- Make pragmatic decisions under fixed timelines, knowing when to stop analysing and start recommending, while remaining comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities.
- Influence without authority and communicate with CIO-level clarity through structured presentations, PowerPoint and concise memo-writing.
Preferred skills
- Experience in banking / financial services, particularly retail banking, with an understanding of core banking systems, payments, channels, regulatory constraints and legacy estates.
- Familiarity with application portfolios, legacy modernization and the practical constraints of cross-border technology collaboration.
Languages
- English: B2 or higher, with the ability to produce executive documentation and present recommendations clearly.
- French or Dutch: B2 or higher in at least one local language.