Senior Manager, UNIX / Middleware / Database Platforms - Reputable FI

About the Company

Our client is a reputable financial institution in Hong Kong with a complex, mission-critical technology environment. They are seeking a Senior Manager to lead the UNIX, middleware and database platforms team, ensuring high availability and performance of core systems.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Platform Ownership

• Lead a team of UNIX/Linux, middleware and database specialists, providing direction, coaching and technical guidance.
• Take overall accountability for the stability, security and efficiency of UNIX, Linux, middleware and database environments supporting business applications.
• Contribute to annual infrastructure budgeting and planning, including hardware, software and support services.

Database Administration

• Oversee administration of enterprise databases such as Oracle RAC, DB2 and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Ensure proper database provisioning, configuration, performance tuning, capacity management and maintenance across environments (dev / UAT / production).
• Define and enforce robust backup, recovery and high-availability strategies to safeguard data integrity and support business continuity.

UNIX / Linux System Administration

• Manage UNIX / Linux platforms including AIX, Solaris and Red Hat, covering server build, configuration, patching and performance optimisation.
• Define standards and best practices for system configuration, hardening and lifecycle management, including End-of-Support (EOS) upgrades.

Monitoring, Capacity & Governance

• Work with monitoring teams / tools to ensure proper SNMP configuration and system health visibility.
• Produce and review system performance and capacity reports, and prepare annual capacity planning documentation (utilisation trends, growth projections, upgrade recommendations).
• Ensure proper documentation for audit and regulatory compliance, including system acceptance testing (SAT) records and periodic user access reviews.
• Oversee routine operational tasks and ensure they are completed in a timely and controlled manner.

Resilience, Incident & Change Management

• Design and maintain backup job configurations and disaster recovery (DR) runbooks for UNIX and database platforms.
• Coordinate and support DR drills, including failover and fallback exercises.
• Lead major incident investigations, drive root cause analysis and ensure preventive / corrective actions are implemented.
• Coordinate infrastructure changes and upgrades, and work closely with vendors on procurement, implementation and ongoing support of hardware and software.

Requirements

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related discipline.
• Formal training or certifications in AIX, Solaris and/or Red Hat Linux administration are highly regarded.
• Professional certifications such as IBM Certified System Administrator, Oracle Certified Professional or Red Hat Certified System Administrator are advantageous.

Experience

• At least 8 years of relevant experience as a UNIX/Linux Administrator, Database Administrator, or in a similar infrastructure-focused role, with some years in a leadership or senior role.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, mission-critical UNIX and database environments, preferably in financial services.

Technical & Soft Skills

• Strong hands-on knowledge of AIX, Solaris, Red Hat Linux and enterprise databases (Oracle RAC, DB2, MSSQL).
• Experience with backup and recovery solutions, DR planning and execution, and EOS / lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with audit and compliance requirements in regulated environments, including documentation, SAT and access review processes.
• Excellent analytical, communication and documentation skills, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional IT and business teams.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and prioritisation skills; able to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, detail-minded and committed to continuous improvement.