[Hiring] AVP - Infrastructure Architect @Mashreq

Role Description

The Infrastructure Architect is a senior expert within the Enterprise Architecture function, responsible for designing, standardizing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-wide infrastructure architecture that supports the organization’s business operations. This role ensures that all IT systems are robust, scalable, secure, and aligned with business objectives. The Infrastructure Architect works closely with infrastructure teams, development teams, and external vendors to develop and optimize infrastructure solutions that drive operational excellence.

• Define and maintain the enterprise infrastructure target state, including principles, standards, patterns and reference architecture across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.
• Monitor the infrastructure landscape and recommend improvements to enhance reliability, scalability, performance, availability and security.
• Lead the development and ongoing evolution of domain-level infrastructure architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture direction and business priorities.
• Lead the selection and implementation of infrastructure technologies, tools, and platforms.
• Establish architecture guardrails that promote standardization, reuse, resilience and security by design across the organization.
• Work collaboratively with applications, platform, network, database, security and operations teams to ensure seamless integration of solutions.
• Collaborate with business domain architects and solution architects to translate business needs into viable infrastructure capabilities.
• Develop and maintain documentation including reference architectures, standards, patterns and implementation guidelines.
• Ensure infrastructure architecture aligns with banking requirements for regulatory compliance, data residency, and security.
• Plan for capacity, scalability, and disaster recovery, including the creation and testing of backup and recovery strategies.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure the organization’s infrastructure remains competitive and cost-effective.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior IT staff and project teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 15 years in Infrastructure Operations and/or engineering and last 5-7 years’ experience in IT infrastructure architecture.
• Demonstrate experience defining enterprise-wide infrastructure standards and target-state roadmap in complex environments.
• Strong knowledge of compute & OS, networking & security, storage and data platform, virtualization, container platforms & orchestration, and cloud technologies both on premise and public cloud (e.g., Azure, OCI, AWS).
• Knowledge of the following technology platforms: Unix (AIX), Linux (RHEL), Oracle Database, Red hat OpenShift Container Platform, Dell EMD Storage, Pure Storage, Data Domain, Dell ECS, Cisco, Palo Alto, Checkpoint.
• Experience in one or more of the following domains: DevOps/Platform Engineering, Data, AI / Machine Learning, Observability.
• Experience with security best practices and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience with infrastructure automation, orchestration tools, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, Cisco CCNP/CCIE) are a plus.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture framework (e.g. TOGAF, Zachman) are a plus.
• Proven track record of successfully leading infrastructure projects from design to deployment.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience with Agile/DevOps practices and tools (e.g., Jenkins, Ansible, Terraform).
• Familiarity with ITIL or other IT service management frameworks.

Company Description

The leading financial institution in MENA, while more than half a century old, we proudly think like a challenger, startup, and innovator in banking and finance, powered by a diverse and dynamic team who put customers first.

• Together, we pioneer key innovations and developments in banking and financial services.
• Our mandate? To help customers find their way to Rise Every Day, partnering with them through the highs and lows to help them reach their goals and unlock their unique vision of success.
• Delivering superior service to clients by leading with innovation, treating colleagues with dignity and fairness while pursuing opportunities that grow shareholders value.
• We actively contribute to the community through responsible banking in our mission to inspire more people to Rise.