Product Manager - Core Banking

About the Role: We are looking for an experienced Core Banking Ledger Product SME to lead product strategy, localization, and market readiness for the Philippines banking sector.

The role involves deep expertise in Philippines banking regulations, Core Banking Systems (CBS), KYC/AML, and local payment infrastructure. The individual will drive product development and localization for rural, thrift, and commercial banks, work closely with engineering and client stakeholders, support implementations, and engage with regulatory bodies such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Strategy & Development

• Own and drive the Philippines localization roadmap for the Core Banking Ledger product.
• Identify market-specific requirements for rural, thrift, and commercial banks.
• Define product roadmaps, feature priorities, business requirements, epics, and user stories.
• Work closely with engineering teams on solution design, API integration, system architecture, and technical feasibility.
• Drive product enhancements based on regulatory changes, market requirements, and client feedback.
• Manage product backlogs, sprint planning, testing, and product documentation.

2. Client Management & Implementation

• Engage with banks and financial institutions to understand business and technical requirements.
• Conduct requirement-gathering workshops with business, operations, compliance, and IT teams.
• Support CBS implementations, UAT, parallel runs, and successful go-lives.
• Translate local banking and regulatory requirements into product configurations and workflows.
• Resolve product-related issues and guide junior product owners and business analysts.

3. Regulatory Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure product alignment with BSP, AMLC, PDIC, AMLA, and Data Privacy Act requirements.
• Define regulatory reporting requirements, including prudential and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Work with engineering and compliance teams on reporting capabilities and accurate data mapping.
• Stay updated on regulatory changes, banking practices, payment systems, and foreign exchange regulations.

4. Documentation & Stakeholder Management

• Develop product specifications, user guides, and training materials.
• Represent product capabilities and roadmap to senior clients and regulatory stakeholders.
• Train and support internal teams on product functionality and market-specific requirements.

Candidate Requirements

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• 10–12 years of experience in Core Banking, Product Management, Business Analysis, or Functional Consulting within banking technology.
• Strong functional expertise in Core Banking Systems (CBS), covering:
• Customer onboarding and maintenance.
• Assets, liabilities, deposits, and lending products.
• General Ledger (GL) and accounting.
• Branch banking and payment operations.
• Foreign exchange and multi-currency/FCDU operations.
• Strong understanding of Philippines banking regulations, BSP compliance, AMLC, KYC/AML, and regulatory reporting.
• Knowledge of Philippines payment systems such as PESONet, InstaPay, PhilPaSS, and ISO 20022.
• Experience supporting at least two end-to-end Core Banking Ledger implementations across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Hands-on exposure to platforms such as Finacle, Flexcube, T24, Silverlake, or Equation.
• Good understanding of APIs, system architecture, and technical solution design.
• Experience working in Agile environments using JIRA, GitHub, Confluence, or similar tools.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Finance, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Philippines banks, particularly rural, thrift, or commercial banks.
• Exposure to BSP regulatory interactions, audits, licensing, and compliance reporting.
• Experience with FCDU, multi-currency deposits, lending, FX conversion, and cross-currency settlements.
• Knowledge of correspondent banking and nostro/vostro account management.
• Local language proficiency for client and business communication.
• Working knowledge of SQL or data analytics tools.
• CBAP, CCBA, or CTP certification is an advantage.