Trade Surveillance Officer - Compliance Vice President (m/f/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
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (‘SMBC’) is a core member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (‘SMFG’), a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. SMBC Group (‘the Group’) has offices in 20 cities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) including its regional headquarters in London.
SMBC Bank EU AG (‘SMBC EU’) is a credit institution established in Germany, authorised by the European Central Bank (‘ECB’) and supervised by Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, ‘BaFin’). It provides business and financial services in the European Economic Area (EEA) as a wholly owned European subsidiary of SMBC. In April 2022, it merged with SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Europe GmbH (‘SMBC Nikko CM Europe’) and now offers customers banking and securities products through a single entity. The Head Office is in Frankfurt, with seven branches across Europe in Amsterdam, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Prague.
Compliance Monitoring and Surveillance is a key second line of defence for the Bank in meeting regulatory expectations, improving the Group’s systems and controls and providing reasonable assurance of adherence to the firm’s regulatory obligations and thereby avoiding regulatory censure.
Business Area
The Trade Surveillance Officer is responsible for the design and implementation of a suite of trade surveillance models, designed to detect behaviours that may violate regulatory rules and/or internal policies and procedures focused on market conduct.
The role reports directly and in first place to the SMBC Bank EU AG Head of Monitoring and Surveillance and does not have any budgetary responsibility.
Position Description
Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Surveillance Development
- Support development of the trade surveillance framework for SMBC Bank EU AG and Group entities.
- Assist in implementing new policies and procedures driven by rule changes or new legislation.
- Work with stakeholders to enhance surveillance systems, reports, and processes as regulatory requirements evolve.
- Ensure surveillance reports align with regulatory expectations.
- Stay current on regulatory developments and good practice to keep the framework fit for purpose.
Surveillance Management
- Execute surveillance processes and the SMP, including timely review, investigation, documentation, and closure of alerts (incl. BTCA).
- Maintain and update the surveillance programme and support MARA methodology development.
- Complete MARA components, risk assessments, and gap analyses; support surveillance‑related projects and MI delivery.
- Escalate issues promptly, ensure investigations are completed and documented, and prepare suspicious activity submissions.
- Assist senior surveillance leads with investigation summaries and STORs.
- Prepare internal/external reports (incl. MI packs), identify control enhancements, and perform system testing and validation.
- Monitor regulatory developments, insider‑trading controls, and changes in business activities impacting surveillance.
- Attend Compliance meetings, complete mandatory training, and deputise for the EU Head of Monitoring & Surveillance when required.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to develop/enhance controls, surveillances, and procedures.
- Support the EU Head of Monitoring & Surveillance in coordinating with Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit.
- Provide management with regular updates on surveillance findings, investigations, and market developments.
- Collaborate effectively with the Surveillance team and wider Compliance function.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications
The role requires the candidate to be educated to degree level with professional qualifications desirable.
Further, the role requires:
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Experience in trade surveillance and related industry practices.
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Compliance background in a securities house, broker‑dealer, or wholesale bank.
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First‑line experience desirable; Bloomberg surveillance experience preferable.
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Regulatory awareness, including MiFID II, MAR, and emerging rules.
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Strong knowledge of capital markets, treasury products, and financial conduct areas.
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Ability to manage multiple issues and investigations simultaneously.
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Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
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Self‑motivated with high accuracy and attention to detail.
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Able to work under pressure, independently and in a team.
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Able to build effective relationships across the three lines of defence.
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Diplomatic and logical in challenging concepts, policies, and practices.
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Analytical, with disciplined and structured judgment.
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.