Client Data Product Owner - Director

Who we are

The EMEA Data Office was established in 2022 within the Operations, Planning and Data Department and is responsible for building out the Bank’s data capabilities across all EMEA entities and all datasets.

The Data Office initially concentrated on building foundational governance through improved Data Architecture, Data Management and Data Quality but is ultimately committed to exploiting data more effectively and innovatively across SMBC, to drive new ways of working and improved business outcomes.  Our Data Strategy defines a vision for a data-enabled organisation and sets out the strategic outcomes that data must support across the bank. We will continue to evolve the strategy while prioritising key foundational initiatives and business priorities for the next financial year.

We are driving data-led transformation through the bank, and it is a great opportunity to join us on this exciting journey.

Role Summary

We’re seeking an experienced Product Owner to drive the development and enhancement of our Client Data products, defining and driving the strategy and direction, ensuring their alignment with business goals and customer needs. The role holder will create the strategy for Client Data products and ensure this vision is realised, enabling the use of data to optimise client experiences, improve decision-making processes, and drive business growth. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including data engineers, analysts, developers, and stakeholders, the role holder will leave the definition, prioritisation, and delivery of data-driven solutions.

Essential:

• Proficient in Product Ownership, with experience of defining a product vision, strategy, roadmap and managing a backlog to meet user needs
• Experienced in developing a product strategy, associated prioritisation and budget management against a defined roadmap. Proven track record of delivering tangible change and progressing a product strategically
• Experience of leading a team or function, building and maintaining a cohesive team dynamic, providing direction and managing performance of all levels
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, confident in building business, data and technology relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders and leading dialogue between colleagues with differing interests and needs to reach an agreed outcome
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience of writing board and committee submissions and the ability describe technical solutions to non-technical colleagues
• Project management experience, with a good understanding and experience of applying project management principles to agile deliveries. Experienced in making change happen and driving a change agenda

Business Area

The EMEA Data Office has grown quickly to over 100 members (permanent employees, contractors, and consultants) in under 3 years, with continued growth expected over the next 2-3 years. The Data Strategy & Advice Team currently comprises 15 members, with further expansion planned over the next 1–2 years.

Position Description

Strategy and Roadmap Development and Ownership: As the Product Owner, develop, own and execute a comprehensive vision, strategy and roadmap for client data products. This will be aligned with the bank's overall business strategy and objectives and the current and future business needs. Translates this strategy into goals and objectives for the team which support sustainable growth. This will be aligned globally with colleagues

Innovation: Conducting industry analysis, and competitor benchmarking to identify emerging trends, opportunities, and customer demands in the field of client data management. Ensuring our plans leverage such understanding and that this information is shared with direct reports and wider team members

Product Planning and Prioritisation: Define product features, requirements, and user stories based on insights from stakeholders, market analysis, and customer feedback. Drive strategic partnerships with the business to prioritise product backlog items based on business value, strategic goals, and customer impact. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to estimate effort, establish timelines, and ensure timely product delivery. Own specification of required funding, associated business case and bidding, and manage budget effectively to provide for business priorities whilst ensuring value for money is delivered for the organisation

Leadership and people management: Leading the Client Data Product team, managing all aspects of team and people development, performance and career progression. Role modelling positive behaviours as a leader in the Data Office, taking a broader strategic view outside of own role into the Data Office and wider SMBC

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with internal stakeholders and leading the prioritisation working group across the business including compliance, risk, and technology teams, to understand user needs, gather requirements, and manage expectations. Collaborate closely with data engineers and developers to translate business requirements into technical specifications and data-driven solutions. Act as a key liaison between the business and technical teams, facilitating effective communication and promoting a shared understanding of objectives. Liaising with external providers to ensure the product and our own expertise are advanced, and priorities delivered on to plan (time, cost, quality)

Training and Documentation: Outline training materials, documentation, and best practices for utilising the Client Data Products. Conduct training sessions and workshops to enable self-serve capabilities and empower users to leverage the capabilities effectively. Acting as role model for a learning culture

Competencies

What we offer

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 operating in over 40 countries worldwide. SMBC Group has offices in 20 cities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) including its regional headquarters in London.

SMBC's competitive advantages include:

• A strong client base with broad coverage of the Fortune 500
• Worldwide operations that enable us to provide clients with global solutions and that make SMBC the leading choice for US businesses expanding in Asia
• A solid balance sheet and conservative approach

We prize energy, enthusiasm, excellence, and entrepreneurship and aim to attract the highest calibre of staff to join our existing talent and to contribute to the dynamic environment which we have established. With a focus on staff development and creating continual career opportunities, we are committed to our mission of providing a challenging and professionally rewarding work environment for our employees.

We operate a range of flexible benefits for our employees and are actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility through a variety of workplace events and opportunities for staff to contribute to and be involved with the local community.

As an employer, SMBC is dedicated to equality and values diversity within our workforce.  SMBC group is a proud signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, and as equal opportunity employers, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.   We strongly encourage an inclusive environment that allows all our employees to be their true selves and fully thrive in their roles. Our culture is one of integrity and respect, where we welcome all input and accept it without judgement.