Director - Credit Risk - Capital Stress Testing Expert (m/fd)
Frankfurt, HE, DE, 60311
SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term
Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.
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
Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We’re looking for a Director - Capital Stress Testing (m/f/d) for our Risk Management Department to join our team.
We are looking for a strategic professional to join our Credit and Capital Risk Management team as Director, responsible for designing and leading the institution’s internal and external stress testing framework.
This role is central to enhancing the bank’s risk management capabilities, supporting ICAAP, and informing strategic capital planning.
The role may also evolve to include participation in regulatory stress testing exercises (e.g., EBA/ECB) as the institution’s involvement in such initiatives grows.
Business Area
The Risk Management Department (RMD) is responsible for managing all aspects of the risk management function within SMBC Bank EU AG.
As part of the 2nd line of defence, RMD works in partnership with all first, second and third line departments to ensure that the organisation remains fully compliant with all regulatory policies and procedures.
As a 2nd line, RMD defines standards and minimum requirements for the 1st line of defence to effectively manage risks as risk owners and monitors and oversees adequate implementation.
Position Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, implement, and continuously enhance the internal stress testing framework and methodology for all risks, ensuring it is robust, forward-looking, and aligned with the institution’s risk appetite and capital planning needs.
- Where relevant, coordinate the development and maintenance of internal stress scenarios, including macroeconomic, idiosyncratic, and reverse stress tests, tailored to the institution’s risk profile to be applied across all risk types
- Lead the design and execution of internal and regulatory stress tests for credit risk;
- Collaborate and coordinate with all relevant individual risk teams for the design and implementation of individual risk stress tests to ensure consistency and alignment of the stress testing programme throughout the capital risk management frameworks and overarching risk management;
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with Finance, Treasury, Risk, and Business Units to ensure consistency and accuracy in stress testing inputs, assumptions, and outputs across business and strategy planning.
- Design and maintain the stress testing programme central to the ICAAP process and as a key steering risk management tool for capital allocation and strategic decision-making under normal and stressed conditions
- Ensure strong governance and documentation around stress testing methodologies, assumptions, and outcomes.
- Monitor regulatory developments and best practices in stress testing, ensuring the internal framework remains aligned with evolving expectations.
- Lead and ensure the coordination of the execution of the Bank anticipated participation in EBA/ECB stress testing exercises, including methodology alignment, data preparation, and stakeholder coordination.
- Engage with senior management and internal committees, presenting key findings and recommendations.
- Mentor and lead junior team members, fostering a culture of analytical excellence and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Risk Management, or a quantitative discipline; professional certifications (e.g., CFA, FRM) are highly desirable.
- Extensive amount of experience in risk management, capital planning, or stress testing within a financial institution or regulatory body.
- Proven experience in developing and managing internal stress testing frameworks, ideally within ICAAP or enterprise risk contexts.
- Experience with EBA/ECB stress testing methodologies and regulatory expectations.
- Strong understanding of credit risk, capital adequacy, and macro-financial linkages.
- Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives across functions.
- Proficiency in stress testing tools, data analytics, and risk modelling platforms; knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SQL) is a plus.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex topics clearly to senior stakeholders.
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!
We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.