ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a senior Core Banking Transformation Lead to be the face of Sutherland as the SI (System Integrator) for Finastra Essence-led core banking transformation programs.

The role requires a strong combination of banking domain expertise, Finastra Essence knowledge, core banking implementation experience, and client-facing consulting capability.

The candidate will work closely with banks, Sutherland teams, and Finastra to understand business challenges, challenge requirements, recommend solutions based on banking best practices, and translate business needs into practical Essence functional design, configuration, and implementation.

This is not a pure Business Analyst or configuration role. The expectation is to lead the journey from business discussion $B"(B solution design $B"(B Essence configuration $B"(B implementation $B"(B testing $B"(B Go-Live.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Act as the face of Sutherland as the SI and senior banking/functional SME for Essence-led transformation programs.
- Lead customer discussions, business process assessment, BPA, and requirements workshops.
- Understand banking products, processes, and business challenges and recommend solutions aligned with banking best practices.
- Challenge requirements where appropriate and shape the target banking solution and operating model.
- Own functional solution design and translate business requirements into Finastra Essence capabilities and configuration.
- Provide functional leadership across products, product parameterization, GL/accounting, and core banking processes.
- Work with Banks / Finastra to validate platform capabilities,



solution options, and product gaps.
- Direct and guide BA, Integration, Data Migration, QA/Test, and Technical teams to ensure end-to-end solution alignment.
- Provide functional leadership through SIT, UAT, defect resolution, business validation, and Go-Live.
- Represent Sutherland confidently with senior bank stakeholders and provide pragmatic, implementation-oriented recommendations.
- Support the development of reusable banking transformation approaches, accelerators, and best practices within the BFS practice.

MUST-HAVE EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

- 15+ years of experience in banking, core banking implementation, or banking transformation.
- Strong banking domain experience across retail banking products and processes, including deposits, payments, lending, cards, and customer servicing, with experience in core banking transformation/implementation programs.
- Strong understanding of banking products, processes, and operating models.
- Strong working knowledge of Finastra Essence, including functional capabilities, configuration, and implementation.

Hands-on understanding of:



o Essence core banking capabilities o Product setup and parameterization o GL and accounting o Business processes and workflows o Functional design and requirements mapping o Integration dependencies o SIT/UAT and Go-Live
- Proven experience working with banks / financial institutions on transformation or core banking programs.
- Strong client-facing consulting and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead business workshops and translate complex requirements into practical banking solutions.
- Ability to work directly with both bank stakeholders and Finastra teams.
- Strong communication, presentation, influencing, and solution-shaping skills.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

- Previous Finastra Essence implementation experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience with other core banking platforms such as Finacle, T24, Flexcube, or FIS will be considered where the candidate demonstrates robust transferable core banking expertise.
- Experience in large-scale core banking modernization/transformation programs.
- Understanding of integration, data migration, and end-to-end testing in core banking implementations.
- Experience working in an SI / consulting environment.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR A senior banking practitioner who can walk the talk with customers someone who can understand a bank $B!G (Bs business challenge, recommend the right solution based on banking best practices, maps it into Essence, and stay engaged through implementation and Go-Live. The ideal candidate will have the banking credibility, Essence knowledge, implementation experience, and consulting presence to become the trusted face of Sutherland with both the client and Finastra.

📌 Core Banking Transformation Lead - Finastra Essence (Chennai)
🏢 Sutherland
📍 Chennai