Head of IT

Job purpose:

This role serves as the key person-in-charge (PIC) for the company's online trading and brokerage systems, ensuring that all platforms operate smoothly, securely and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The position oversees system reliability, security controls, and operational integrity, while also managing and investigating client and dealer complaints related to system performance or trading activities. Acting as the bridge between IT, operations, and compliance, this role safeguards the firm's trading ecosystem from both technical and procedural risks.

Key responsibilities:

a) System Operations & Reliability

• Oversee day-to-day performance and stability of trading and brokerage systems to ensure continuous availability and accuracy.
• Coordinate with IT and vendors to resolve any system downtime, latency, or transactional anomalies promptly.
• Monitor key system alerts, controls, and configurations to maintain high operational integrity.
• Ensure regular system health checks, documentation, and preventive maintenance activities are carried out effectively.

b) Complaint Handling & Incident Investigation

• Act as the main PIC for client and dealer complaints related to trading system issues (e.g., order execution, stop-limit triggers, access errors).
• Lead root-cause analysis by reviewing trading logs, FIX messages, and system behavior to verify facts and resolve disputes.
• Prepare investigation summaries and formal reports for internal management and regulatory submission when required.
• Maintain an incident and complaint register to ensure traceability and timely closure of all reported cases.

c) Compliance & Regulatory Coordination

• Work closely with Compliance and Risk teams to ensure systems meet regulatory expectations set by the Securities Commission (SC) and Bursa Malaysia.
• Support periodic audits, inspections, and regulatory inquiries related to trading system integrity, security, or incident handling.
• Ensure compliance with audit trail, data retention, and reporting requirements

d) System Security & Access Control

• Oversee and monitor user access (clients, dealers, internal users) to prevent unauthorized activities.
• Coordinate with Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure teams to manage 2FA, IP whitelisting, and other access control mechanisms.
• Review and ensure that access logs and security measures are properly implemented, tested, and updated regularly.

Role requirements & qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in brokerage system operations, trading platform management, or IT compliance within a financial institution or stockbroking firm.
• Deep understanding of order management systems (OMS), trading gateways, FIX protocol, risk checks, and order lifecycle.
• Familiarity with Securities Commission Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia, and capital market regulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical skills in log analysis, data correlation, and incident forensics.
• Excellent communication skills for drafting regulatory responses and presenting findings to management and regulators.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with online trading platforms (mobile/web), backend trade servers, and APIs.
• Knowledge of cyber incident response, SIEM tools, and audit trail reconstruction.
• Prior exposure to compliance systems (e.g., surveillance, insider trading monitoring).
• Familiarity with SQL, ELK stack, or Splunk for log analysis.
• Professional certifications such as CISA, CISSP, or FRM are an advantage.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person