Database Platform Lead / DBSRE (Oracle & MSSQL) - (NPW)

This is the technical and engineering lead for database services across GIC's global estate. The role owns the evolution of the database platform from a mixed RDBMS footprint to a cloud-native, open-source and AI/agent-enabled architecture — while keeping a highly regulated, latency-sensitive production estate stable and secure. Over a five-year horizon, this role is expected to turn GIC's database infrastructure into a differentiator for performance, scale, agility and insight.

The successful candidate combines deep technical credibility with architectural vision and the ability to partner across application, AI, analytics and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and architecture

• Own and drive a multi-year strategic roadmap for the database platform, aligned to business goals — cloud migration, cost optimisation, latency SLAs and AI/ML readiness.

• Define the multi-year technical vision for the global database estate in line with enterprise business objectives.

• Architect across Oracle, MSSQL and PostgreSQL, with working knowledge of modern database platforms (CockroachDB, Cassandra, MongoDB, Databricks and equivalents).

• Drive adoption of cloud-native patterns for database services on AWS or equivalent, while sustaining the stability and security of critical on-premises applications and data.

Automation, AIOps and reliability

• Drive adoption of AI, agentic and AIOps capabilities: anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, self-healing, auto-scaling and automated patching of databases.

• Build end-to-end observability for database platforms using Grafana, Datadog or equivalent.

• Build secure self-service capabilities in the database space through UI- and API-based solutions consumable by end users and applications.

• Automate operational tasks and infrastructure changes using Python, Ansible or PowerShell.

• Embed Database Reliability Engineering (DBRE) and Agile practice in day-to-day delivery.

Security, risk and compliance

• Enforce enterprise information security protocols, audit hardening and vulnerability patching across database components.

• Analyse customer requirements to ensure information-security standards, policies and guidelines are upheld, and support routine compliance activity.

• Interpret information-security procedures and help implement them across IT and the business, applying sound judgement and decision-making.

Talent and culture

• Foster a culture of innovation, "build once, reuse everywhere", knowledge sharing, automation-first delivery and measured risk-taking.

• Set performance metrics and KPIs for reliability, throughput, latency, cost, error budgets and time to market.

• Build and inspire a high-performing global team of database engineers and technical managers.

• Manage and optimise resource allocation to balance project delivery against operational stability.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 18+ years in information technology, including 15+ years hands-on with enterprise database platforms in a large organisation — banking or financial services strongly preferred.

• Deep administration and architecture expertise across Oracle (RAC, Data Guard, OEM), MSSQL (Always On) and PostgreSQL; exposure to CockroachDB, Cassandra, Neptune or equivalents.

• Hands-on experience with at least one public cloud — AWS, Azure or GCP.

• Strong scripting and automation: Python, Ansible, SQL, Shell/Perl.

• Unix/Linux system administration, with a working understanding of underlying network and storage technologies; proficiency across Linux/Unix and Windows.

• IT security compliance experience, including implementation and use of security protocols (SSL, server certificates).

• DevOps and CI/CD pipeline experience using Jenkins or equivalent, with GitHub-based source control.

• Infrastructure as Code with Terraform — writing, testing and deploying clean, reusable modules.

• Support services and change management via ServiceNow.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting capability; excellent written and verbal communication with internal customers and team members.

Desirable

• Certification in a public cloud platform and in database products.

• Prior experience leading a database modernisation programme toward a lakehouse or modern data platform target state.

Success Attributes

Initiative, composure under pressure, strong leadership and interpersonal skills, analytical problem-solving, and the ability to work autonomously and self-direct.