Senior Manager IT Operations
The Saudi British Bank - SABB
Total years of experience :13 years, 0 Months
Assumed the role of Senior Manager IT Operations when required (iSeries AS 400)
SABB Infrastructure Team Representative at HSBC Hong Kong
Leading the middleware and automation team, and providing necessary training
Managing front-end systems such as internet banking and staff channels
Ensuring effective communication and reporting mechanism is in place
Developing infrastructure design requirements and supporting the Internet Banking Global Service Platform (GSP) project
Leading team members to configure reliable internet banking infrastructures with middleware components including WebSphere Application server and LDAP
Lead the integration of new technologies such as SaaS, PaaS, and IBM DataPower to SABB IT infrastructure.
Proactively updating procedures to minimize production issues and interruption
Securing Middleware Estate Audit Metrics to 98.3% by improving components
Managing BMC Control-M upgrade to V9 in order to enhance automation infrastructure and introduce new procedures automation vision in SABB.
Increasing the number of automated procedures by 40% for critical services.
Developing new procedures to utilize (Control-M) automated jobs
Collaborating with vendors and maintaining business relationships to ensure necessary support, smooth purchasing transactions, and future expansion
Identifying operational issues and providing innovative solutions in record time
Addressing vulnerability problems and providing immediate fixes for tickets submitted through the Information Security Department and vendors
Collaborating with cross-functional departments including IT Development, IT Operations, and IT Quality Management to ensure optimal project completion
Conducting risk assessment analysis with IT BRCM to control mitigation
Assumed the role of Technical Engineering Manager when required
Established a dedicated middleware team by recruiting and mentoring new talents
Managed day-to-day operations and ensured delivery of excellent technical support
Staff Front End (SFE) Project: Managed SABB middleware components and ensured all required infrastructures are designed installed and configured correctly for the SFE processing system to be utilized by the Operation Department and retail branches
iSeries High Availability (iHA) Project: Managed to redesign the MQ infrastructure after upgrading the back-end machine to ensure reliable front-end systems for users, and to save the organization approximately SAR 850, 000 in extended support fees.
Managed the full life-cycle of integration projects and ensured reliable middleware solutions
Applied highest technology standards by addressing middleware vulnerabilities
Collaborated with the IT Departments to ensure HSBC group standards are applied
Identified as a Subject Matter Expert in WebSphere application server and MQ
Completed PCI audit points ensuring inclusion of solutions within daily operations
SMS Services: Migrated the SMS service from single node on Windows, to two nodes of UNIX and WEBSPHERE servers connecting to iSeries via WEBSPHERE MQ
SWIFT Services: Successfully set up a WebSphere MQ infrastructure, and developed MQ connections to join a secure and reliable cluster utilizing SSL, by collaborating with HSBC global entities and teams
3D Secure Service: Designed the infrastructure of an e-channel project consisting of highly available middleware components
MUREX Systems: Involved in the development of WebSphere MQ, a MUREX system requirement, critical within the financial industry and utilized by Treasury
Developed and configured WebSphere application servers and IBM HTTP servers to receive customers’ requests and send messages from WebSphere MQ to iSeries
Evaluated, implemented, and maintained efficient new projects and solutions
Supported day-to-day operations of middleware components within UNIX (SOLARIS & AIX) and LINUX (REDHAT & SUSE) servers
Built, configured, and administered production and development environments
Built and configured middleware components in flagship channel projects
Designed and configured WebSphere MQ connectivity with SABB core systems
Analyzed existing middleware components to prevent production issues and to reduce service downtime
Provided on-call support, analysis, and troubleshooting for critical technical issues
Led the initiative to increase the quality and utilization of the OASIS product
Successfully led the installations and functions at new and existing sites
Conducted training workshops for a diverse group of employees at hospitals, including physicians, on the utilization of the OASIS products and services
Analyzed products and provided recommendations for quality improvement
Applied engineering expertise and analysis techniques to resolve product issues
Ensured maximization of customer satisfaction by coordinating site visits, maintaining client relationships, and addressing clients’ feedback
Developed strategies to increase revenue through the sale of service contracts, upgrades, and the assessment of product usage levels