Director | Enterprise IT Architecture Lead (m/w/d)
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 Enterprise Architect Director for our ITSD EU department to join our team.
We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to provide technical and architectural leadership in enabling SMBC’s digital transformation and modernization strategy.
The Enterprise Architect ensures alignment with business goals, regulatory requirements, and global architectural principles and standards. This role requires close collaboration with senior stakeholders, external partners, and global teams to deliver scalable, secure, and future-ready technology platforms.
The anticipated annual salary range for this role is 86,000 – 130,000 €, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.
Business Area
This role has been been created to support SMBC EU AG’s continued growth and increasing regulatory expectations under ECB direct supervision.
As the Bank expands its product set, balance sheet and regulatory footprint, there is a clear need to strengthen the delivery and evolution of technology supporting SMBC EU AG.
This role ensures alignment with global standards while addressing regional regulatory and business needs. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role requires close collaboration with regional and global leaders, including the EU Head of ITSD, CISO, CDO, and global enterprise architects. The incumbent also maintains a strong cross-functional partnerships with data, security, and business architecture teams
Position Description
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure architectural decisions comply with EU regulations including GDPR, DORA, and UK operational resilience standards.
- Collaborate with the Security Architecture team to embed security-by-design principles.
- Conduct architectural risk assessments and maintain documentation for audits and reporting.
Stakeholder Management
- Partner with EMEA business leaders to align architecture with business transformation goals.
- Facilitate collaboration across architecture, data, security, and business teams.
Architecture Implementation
- Support architecture governance forums and design authorities.
- Produce high quality architecture artefacts including logical and physical diagrams, interface contracts, and design documentation.
- Design and implement hybrid multi-cloud strategies using Azure, GCP, and Databricks.
- Identify and mitigate risks, including technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and system dependencies.
Technology Innovation & Strategic Planning
- Develop architectural roadmaps to support business growth and innovation.
- Drive architectural innovation while ensuring operational stability and compliance.
Knowledge & Experience
- 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise architecture roles within large, complex organizations
- Proven leadership in enterprise architecture within financial services, with a strong grasp of regulatory and compliance requirements.
Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent working experience
- Certifications in enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman)
- Cloud platform certifications (e.g., Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
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
- 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.
We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.