PERM - OPPD - Enterprise Business Management - Vice President

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

•    As part of the Operational Resilience Group, the Resilience Test Lead will support the Head of Operational Resilience to develop the Resilience Test Strategy, and plan, execute and coordinate a range of resilience assurance activities to validate service resilience or identify vulnerabilities for remediation. 
•    The Resilience Test Lead will be specifically responsible for working with senior sponsors, service owners, Incident Management teams, and other assurance SMEs across the EMEA region to maintain the Scenario Testing Library, oversee and coordinate the execution of the Annual Resilience Test Plan, and facilitate the identification and completion of actions to improve the firm’s resilience and comply with assurance standards. 

Business Area

•    The Operational Resilience Group within the Operations Planning Department (OPPD) is the capability which defines and supports consistent and standardised E2E Operations across key business services in order to drive efficiencies, effective controls, appropriate governance and support the implementation of priority change to meet strategy. 
•    SMBC Group in EMEA provides a full suite of Banking and Securities Services to our clients to support their growth, with close coordination with other regional entities. 
•    This includes the firm’s Operational Resilience function, responsible for the framework, policy/standards, governance and key assets which ensure compliance with UK (FCA/PRA) Operational Resilience regulation and in support of key elements for compliance with the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). 
•    Further, this includes the firm’s Resilience Testing function, responsible for standards, governance and the maintenance and coordination of key assets which validate the Operational Resilience of our Business Services and the effectiveness of the resilience testing strategy including business continuity, recovery and communication framework across EMEA. 

Position Description

•    Accountable for Resilience Testing in EMEA to ensure the firm complies with regulatory expectations / market standards and internal policy in order to evidence sufficient service resilience and continuity, or identify gaps, vulnerabilities or areas for improvement to ensure we remain within tolerances. 
•    Accountable for the development and maintenance of the Resilience Testing Strategy, Standards, Annual Test Plan, Scenario Library and other key assets associated with test planning and execution in line with regulatory requirements.
•    Accountable for the oversight and coordination of the Annual Test Plan where Severe But Plausible (SBP) scenarios are executed across a range of assurance activities on IBSs/CIFs.
•    Directly accountable for conducting Operational Resilience scenario testing and ensuring alignment with Business Continuity, Business Recovery, IT Disaster Recovery, Incident and Crisis Management, Recovery Suite, Work-from-Home strategies, and Communication Plans.
•    Responsible for coordinating with other resilience assurance activities to ensure appropriate scenario coverage, an integrated testing approach, and sharing of lessons learned and outcomes achieved.
•    Responsible for the identification and reporting of vulnerabilities identified from resilience testing and supporting appropriate prioritisation for their resolution.
•    Engage with 2LOD for oversight and challenge of resilience testing when required.
•    Responsible for testing communication plan across EMEA.
•    Responsible for developing maturity improvements for resilience testing by applying existing knowledge and experience or through exposure to industry best practice and peer firm insights.
•    Responsible for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders including Service Owners, SMEs, Incident & Crisis teams to ensure good outcomes.

•    Strong knowledge of Operational Resilience regulation in UK and EU (DORA)
•    Broad experience delivering a Testing capability for Operational Resilience within financial institutions. 
•    Good experience of management and coordinating resilience testing across multiple entities or regions.
•    Ability to identify resilience vulnerabilities as part of the resilience testing.  
•    Proficient understanding of core banking services, ideally covering both investment banking and capital markets 
•    Excellent communication skills with the ability to tailor the delivery and content to the audience. 
•    Strong attention to detail, with the ability to navigate and challenge complex scenarios and identify areas of strength or weakness. 
•    Strong analytical skills, to assess complex situations and develop effective solutions.
•    Acts as an advocate for Operational Resilience and utilises best practice testing techniques to provide assurance or highlight areas for improvement. 
•    Strong awareness of dependency management and service mapping
•    Understands risk management practices including risk appetite and control design
•    Understand effective for management and executive level governance, reporting and escalation
•    Ability to challenge stakeholders in the right way to clarify fact from perception 
•    Able to develop trust amongst sponsors, stakeholders and peers 
•    Ability to balance strategic thinking with the reality of what is proportional, appropriate and operationally viable.
•    Strong knowledge of Incident and Crisis Management and associated Communication. 
•    Strong knowledge of incident lifecycle and best practices to mitigate or reduce harm. 
•    Strong knowledge of Business Continuity best practice and ISO22301 beneficial 
•    Proven facilitation skills 

Competencies

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!