Business Management Vice President

Who we are

SMDAM UK is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Ltd ("SMDAM UK"), one of the largest investment management companies in Japan, offering discretionary investment management, investment trust and advisory services to a range of institutional investors, pension funds and government agencies worldwide. We have offices in Tokyo, London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai and manage assets on behalf of financial institutions, pension funds, government agencies and retail investors. 

Alternative Fund Investment is the department in SMDAM UK responsible for establishing and operating investment vehicles focused on providing investors with access to European LBO direct lending / private credit investments.

SMDAM UK will collaborate with SMBC to source investment opportunities for its investment vehicles, the collaboration will be governed by a sourcing and support services agreement and close working relationship with SMBC’s Specialised Products Department, Leveraged Finance team. SMDAM UK intends to raise a series of LBO private credit funds as well as evaluating expansion into adjacent private credit asset classes significantly expanding its investment activities outside of Japan over the next 10 years.

Role Summary

This is a role with a wide set of responsibilities, to support all the functions of the SMDAM UK Alternative Investment business in managing and delivering on day-to-day workstreams and medium-term strategic value creation projects.  Coordination of multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure recurring business deadlines and objectives of special projects are met in a timely manner. 

Business Area

SMDAM UK Alternative Investment is a newly created team and has promary forcus on;

• Capital for KDL investment vehicles is provided by a global base of institutional investors. KDL I Fund has ~€500m investible capital including leverage and is expected to have between 30 and 40 investments. KDL II Fund has a target fundraise amount of between ~€0.75-1.25bn and is expected to have between 30 and 40 investments;
• The SMDAM EU Alternative Investment team is comprised of 10-15 team members (including dedicated support personnel) and sits within the European Alternative Investment business trading under the brand (TBC); 
• The SMDAM EU Alternative Investment business partners with SMBC’s European Specialised Products, Leveraged Finance team to source suitable investments for KDL investment vehicles; and
• Frequently responsible for 3-5 projects that all have different drivers and deliverables with associated deadlines and priorities.

Working in close collaboration with each of the functions of the SMDAM UK /Alternative Investment business and with the support of the SMDAM EU Alternative Investment Team assistance

Position Description

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Business management:
  • Create and maintain an internal task tracker to support all the functions of the SMDAM UK Alternative Fund Investment business. Facilitate recurring meetings with the relevant teams to track progress, prompt next steps and ensure timely delivery of recurring business tasks
  • Create and manage Alternative Investment team calendar, provide timely prompts as deadlines approach and ensure that tasks are completed before their relevant deadlines
  • Create and maintain the SMDAM UK Alternative Investment Department microsite in Microsoft Teams
  • Support the Alternative Investment  team and placement agent advisors (if applicable) in fundraising roadshow planning
• Internal reporting:
  • Overall responsibility for the creation of a suite of recurring internal reporting (with input from each relevant expert or team) including facilitating minute taking (and approval) where applicable
  • Coordinate a complicated landscape of internal stakeholder reporting across five SMBC Group companies
• Project management:
  • Lead, influence, motivate and manage project teams, including representatives from different functions to ensure timely delivery of required results with least possible impact on SMDAM UK’s ongoing business
  • Plan and drive completion of all project deliverables including the business case, project roadmap, budget, testing, deliverables implementation and handover into business as usual
  • Identify and then judge when to escalate risks and issues and their associated mitigation plans to SMDAM UK senior management and appropriate committees (if applicable) to prevent impact or additional risk
  • Achieve appropriate governance and transparency for the project so that the appropriate oversight is achieved
• Governance and record keeping:
  • Responsible for ensuring that internal approvals are made in a manner consistent with SMDAM UK terms of reference and delegated authorities

Responsible for ensuring that business materials are filed in the appropriate Microsoft SharePoint repositories in-line with SMDAM UK internal record keeping policies

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of asset management or financial services activities
• Prior experience of successfully delivering projects within financial services
• Strong interpersonal skills including ability to lead rather than manage, to set the vision for the project, gain team and organisational buy-in, anticipate and resolve conflict, motivate, negotiate and coach so that project objectives are met
• Strong, effective communication skills both written and oral, including diplomacy in offering challenge
• Knowledge of effective team building and some experience of team management skills
• Practical and willing to get involved in tasks, when necessary, to ensure objectives are achieved
• Ability to work to multiple deadlines and under pressure
• Some experience in legal or accountancy is a positive, but not required

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!!