Enterprise Business Management 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

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We’re looking for a Director for our Enterprise Business Management team. 

The Operations Planning Department across both OPPD & OAD has recently undergone restructuring to broaden its remit and optimise its organisational design. OPPD and OAD operates across SMBC EMEA, covering all entities, business units, and support functions. Its core areas include:

• Operations : Responsible for the processing, administration, and settlement of banking transactions
• Transformation & Change Management: Defines and delivers the Transformation Strategy, oversees programme governance and execution, manages the transformation budget, and provides project delivery capability (PMO, Business Analysis, methodologies and tooling).
• Data Management: Leads the Data Strategy, data architecture design, and delivery of data solutions.
• Third Party Management: Oversees third-party provider management and associated risk.
• CRES: Manages Corporate Real Estate Services, including workplace services, Health & Safety, environmental and technical services, and security
• Control Office: Maintains the risk and control framework within 1LoD FO/C&S, with a focus on non-financial risk

Business Area

OPPD / Palnning Group

Position Description

Strategy Development & Execution

• Support the definition and delivery of the Operations strategy, ensuring alignment to EMEA and global priorities
• Translate strategic objectives into clear execution plans, tracking progress and outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement in operating models, governance structures, and decision-making frameworks

Governance & Executive Reporting

Lead the end-to-end governance cycle for Operations, including planning, coordination, drafting, and quality assurance of:

• • Board and Committee papers
  • Executive Committee materials
  • Management and regulatory reporting packs
• Ensure materials are concise, insight-led, and decision-focused, reflecting external best practice
• Establish and embed governance standards (templates, timelines, quality thresholds) across OPPD and OAD
• Maintain a forward governance calendar aligned to key business and regulatory milestones

SMF24 & Regulatory Oversight

• Support senior stakeholders in fulfilling SMF24 responsibilities, ensuring clear documentation, auditability, and governance traceability
• Coordinate responses to regulatory requests, internal audits, and assurance activities
• Ensure governance outputs adequately reflect risk, controls, and non-financial risk considerations
• Partner with Control Office and Risk functions to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as a central coordination point between OPPD, OAD, and wider Operations / Functions
• Build strong, credible relationships with senior leaders to influence content and drive alignment
• Challenge and enhance materials to improve clarity, consistency, and strategic narrative

Business Management & Operational Effectiveness

• Support oversight of cost, headcount, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities
• Drive improvements in management information, reporting, and performance tracking
• Enhance communication approaches to improve transparency of Operations priorities and delivery

Continuous Improvement & Best Practice

• Embed external best practice in governance, including:
  • Executive-level storytelling and narrative structuring
  • Clear articulation of risk, dependencies, and decision asks
  • Data-driven, insight-led reporting
• Leverage digital tools and automation to improve efficiency and consistency in governance production

Experience

• Extensive experience in financial services, ideally within:
  • COO / Business Management
  • Strategy & Transformation
  • Governance / Executive Office environments
• Proven experience producing Board and Executive-level materials in a complex, regulated environment
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and SMF responsibilities (SMF24 desirable)
• Demonstrated experience operating in multi-entity, international banking environments

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!!