Data Products and Architecture - Executive Director

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

The ED of Data Products and Architecture is responsible for shaping and driving the organisation’s data platform, data product, and data architecture strategy, ensuring delivery of scalable, high-quality data capabilities that meet business, regulatory, and operational requirements.

A key role within the CDAO Senior Leadership Team, the role leads product management for data, owning the enterprise data platform backlog, setting priorities and defining the features and capabilities required to deliver scalable high quality data solutions.  In parallel the role oversees the Data Architecture function with the Head of Data Architecture accountable for defining and implementing target state architectures and standards in line with the overall data strategy.

Working in close partnership with IT the role defines the “what and why” of the Data Platform, Data products and Data Architecture, ensuring that business requirements are translated into coherent architectural designs, while IT delivers the “how” through engineering and operations.

Operating at the intersection of Business, Data and Technology, the role ensures that the EMEA Data Platform, Data Products and underlying architecture are aligned to enterprise priorities and enable downstream analytics, governance, and utilisation to deliver measurable value.

In addition, the role will also own Master & Reference Data Management (MRDM) for EMEA, establishing consistent definitions, golden sources and standards to ensure critical data is trusted, standardised and used consistently across the organisation.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience of working in a data management team and establishing organizational capability in Data Platforms as well as  Master Data Management (MDM) (people, process, and technology factors). They will leverage their knowledge and expertise to support establishing the new delivery and support models within SMBC and help to drive the transformation of data management practices across the organization.

The candidate must be willing to challenge the status quo in an empathetic manner, while helping the wider Data Office to have an ethos of openness and transparency that will help us nurture real business innovation. If you want to make a real difference, and not just in one team but across the entire bank, we would love to speak to you more.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Owns the product vision, roadmap, and backlog for the EMEA Data Platform
• Lead and oversee the Data Architecture function, with the Head of Data Architecture accountable for defining and implementing target state architectures, standards, and design patterns aligned to the overall data strategy.
• Ensure strong alignment between Data Architecture, Data Platform, and Data Products, driving consistency, scalability, and interoperability across the data estate through effective governance and adoption of enterprise standards.
• Defines and manage the EMEA Data Platform backlog, ensuring alignment to business priorities, regulatory requirements (ECB onboarding, BCBS239, Compliance Transformation etc) and strategic data objectives.
• Accountable as the senior product owner for defining what is built and why.
• Establish and lead a structured intake and prioritisation framework
• Chair prioritisation forums with business and IT stakeholders as well as senior management, ensuring transparency and discipline in trade-off decisions
• Define and implement a data product framework and product management operating model for data, including standard definitions and taxonomy, ownership and accountability models, lifecycle management (design, build, iterate, retire)
• Drive development of reusable, scalable data products aligned to business domains
• Ensure Data products are discoverable, accessible, trusted and fit for purpose
• Track delivery against roadmap and backlog holding IT accountable to agreed priorities, timelines and outcomes
• Define and track product success metrics including adoption and usage of data platform focussing on value delivered not technical execution
• Own the EMEA MRDM strategy and operating model including MRD adoption across systems, reporting and processes
• Owns and implements the strategy for MRD adoption within EMEA
• Work with strategic programmes and the business to ensure adoption of MRD
• Work in partnership with the regions at a global level to ensure alignment of strategy to the Global Master Data Management Strategy for both the Data Platform and MRDM
• Build effective relationships with the wider Data Office teams, Technology Teams, and Business Departments.
• Manage, coach, and mentor a variety of technical roles to create a high-performing delivery team.

Skills

Essential:

• Experience operating as a senior product owner in a multi-stakeholder environment with ideally previous experience of setting up and managing a successful Data Platform and MDM Delivery capability, including both project and support aspects.
• Strong understanding of enterprise data architecture principles, including data modelling, integration patterns, and scalable platform design, with the ability to guide and challenge architectural decisions at both strategic and detailed levels.
• Proven experience working with, or overseeing, Data Architecture teams, ensuring alignment between architecture, platform, and product delivery within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Ability to define product vision, roadmap and backlog for complex data platforms
• Good understanding of, and experience of applying, project management principles and approaches relevant to data management.
• Exceptional ability to influence across business, data teams, IT/Engineering
• Comfortable operating without direct authority over delivery teams
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify, scope, and deliver solutions
• Strong conflict resolution and alignment skills
• Strong understanding of Data Platforms and architectures, Data products and Data Governance principles
• Solid understanding of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) as relevant to data management.
• Understanding of ETL, data manipulation, and data preparation processes.
• An outstanding problem solver who has an analytical mindset, is inquisitive, and excellent with technology enabling a creative approach to solution scoping and delivery
• Effective written and verbal communication skills: (i) comfortable presenting to and facilitating groups of business users at all levels, (ii) ability to describe technical solutions to non-technical colleagues.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and issues within the Data Management and MDM landscapes
• Experience of working in the financial services industry and a good understanding of data-related regulatory requirements for the financial services sector.

Desirable:

• Experience of DataBricks and Informatica MDM
• Experienced of working in a global organisation with dynamics of operating in a matrix structure across regions.
• Experience of working in an organization that has rolled out enterprise-level MDM solutions.
• Experience working with cloud environments & components (e.g., on Microsoft Azure or equivalent)

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!!