MCLAREN - Director - Technology Modernization

About the Role:

Visionary and seasoned technology executive responsible for leading end-to-end application architecture, product engineering, production services, and operational risk management within the BFSI sector. You will own global delivery models, vendor governance, and next-generation capability development (including AI, ML, and automation) while coaching high-performing technology and operations leadership teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the ideation and implementation of cutting-edge technology solutions that address complex client and enterprise challenges, aligned with overall business objectives.
• Oversee global shared services and delivery centers, ensuring operational excellence, optimized business management (budgeting, forecasting, resiliency), and effective transition management.
• Govern application architecture, custom product engineering, maintenance, testing practices (including Center of Excellence), and infrastructure/production services (APS/CTI).
• Act as primary champion for operational risk management, developing a proactive risk culture, driving internal audits, and interfacing with compliance and regulatory bodies.
• Evaluate, onboard, and manage strategic third-party staffing and platform partners to maximize efficiency and service quality through strong vendor governance.
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies (Generative AI, LLMs, predictive modeling) and automation frameworks (predictive analytics, self-healing systems, chaos engineering) to improve productivity.
• Serve as a servant leader to build, mentor, and coach high-performing technical and operational leadership teams, fostering continuous learning and succession planning.
• Manage large-scale cross-functional teams and global delivery models within the BFSI sector.
• Integrate AI/ML and conversational AI into corporate workflows in alignment with business and operational goals.

Required Skills:

• 18+ years of progressive technology leadership experience within the BFSI domain (Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, or Capital Markets).
• Proven track record in a COO or Global Delivery Head capacity.
• Deep understanding of legacy ecosystems including Mainframe and COBOL.
• Deep understanding of mid-range/distributed systems including Java, .NET, RDBMS, and Data Engineering.
• Familiarity with modern software development methodologies such as Agile and Waterfall.
• Experience with test automation framework design.
• Strong exposure to integrating AI/ML and conversational AI into corporate workflows.
• Experience overseeing global shared services and delivery centers, including budgeting, forecasting, resiliency, and transition management.
• Experience governing application architecture, product engineering, maintenance, testing practices, and production services.
• Experience in operational risk management, internal audits, and working with compliance and regulatory bodies.
• Vendor governance experience, including evaluation, onboarding, and management of third-party staffing and platform partners.
• Exceptional executive coaching abilities and servant leadership style.
• Strategic vision and strong vendor negotiation skills.
• Collaborative mindset capable of operating in both startup ecosystems and large enterprise environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience setting up or scaling Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in major Indian tech hubs.
• Prior experience setting up or scaling Centers of Excellence (CoE).
• Experience with Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), predictive modeling, predictive analytics, self-healing systems, and chaos engineering beyond basic exposure.