Head of Sustainability Strategy (Director) SMBC BI

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 Head of Sustainability Strategy, SMBC BI to join our Strategic Planning Department. This role will lead the implementation of SMBC's Social Value Creation and Sustainability Strategy within SMBC Bank International plc, driving sustainable business growth, regulatory readiness and governance while helping shape the firm's long-term sustainability agenda.

Essentials of the role

Lead the execution of sustainability strategy and social value creation initiatives across SMBC BI.
Sponsor strategic regulatory and transformation programmes, including sustainability-related regulatory implementation and organisational change.
Provide thought leadership on sustainable finance, sustainability risk, disclosures and governance, engaging with senior management, regulators and clients.

Candidate requirements

Deep knowledge of sustainability, sustainable finance and relevant regulatory and disclosure frameworks.
Extensive leadership experience within a major financial institution, regulator, international organisation or similar environment.
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead diverse teams and deliver strategic change in a complex international organisation.

Position Description

In this role you will lead SMBC's Social Value Creation and Sustainability activities and oversee environmental, social and governance-related regulatory compliance matters in our UK entity, SMBC Bank International plc, (SMBC BI) , in close collaboration with the Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA, to ensure an efficient and joined-up approach to sustainability across the EMEA region.

Background

• A confluence of external forces, including an increasing focus on environmental and social sustainability by both customers and competitors, new regulations, and international efforts to avoid the worst effects of climate change, have meant that financial services firms must be on the leading edge of sustainability efforts. SMBC Group has responded through our FY26-28 Medium-Term Management Plan, which features Social value Creation as a foundational component of our Group Vision. This includes a focus on decarbonisation through SMBC’s ambition to achieve Net Zero in our financed emissions by 2050 and directing capital social value creating activities. This role will be a key player in driving the Group strategy implementation in EMEA.
• SMBC Group EMEA has also implemented a regional Social Value Creation strategy, with ambitions across our value chain:
  • Our Customers: We direct capital toward businesses and projects that create social value alongside economic value, and support customers on their journey to sustainability.
  • Own Operations: We operate in a way that reflects the value we place on the environment, human rights and reducing inequality, embedding social value creation into our business and culture.
  • Our Communities: We make a difference for local communities by sharing our skills and resources to support initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities and improving  environmental sustainability.
• The complex and growing businesses of SMBC and their integration require a Sustainability Strategy team that is flexible and highly skilled. They require a team that is efficient and well organised and able to define, communicate and execute its strategic goals across EMEA as part of the wider corporate strategy of SMBC. 

Stakeholders & Scale

• Internal: This role will work with a wide range of EMEA departments teams, with specific accountability for SMBC BI counterparts, including, the Risk Management Department, Compliance Department, Corporate Secretary team, Finance & Control Department, Marketing Departments; and in Tokyo the Sustainability Planning Department, the Global Banking Unit Planning Department, and the Environmental and Social Risk Management Department . The role holder will coordinate and work closely with the EMEA Head of Sustainability Strategy to ensure consistency and seamless coordination at the regional level.
• External: SMBC’s stakeholders, including customers, peer banks, regulators and wider society.
• The role will make a direct and significant contribution to executing the EMEA wide sustainability strategy with a particular focus on SMBC BI.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

You would be responsible for enhancing and leading the execution of the SMBC EMEA Sustainability Strategy and Social Value Creation Framework in SMBC BI, in close coordination with the Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA. The role holder will be required to attend relevant committees such as the Sustainability Risk Management Committee (SRMC), the EMEA Reputational Risk Committee, Social Value Management Forum, among others, and may be involved in their decision-making processes where relevant. The role holder will represent SMBC BI on sustainability initiatives when communicating with external parties including, but not limited to, regulators or clients. 

Examples of the responsibilities of the Head of Sustainability Strategy SMBC BI are as follows:

Business Development
•    Co-Lead the setting of both organisational departmental KPI targets and guidelines/benchmarks for sustainable business via the SMBC EMEA Sustainable Finance Framework.
•    Co-Chair the Sustainable Finance Transaction Review Forum (for BI transactions or as a delegate of the EMEA Head of Sustainability Strategy), a governance forum focused on ensuring alignment of sustainable finance issuance with the SMBC EMEA Sustainable Finance Framework and avoiding greenwashing.
•    Advise Marketing Departments with respect to individual deals as necessary, including in respect of reputational risks or alignment with the bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework
 

Product Enhancement
•    As needed, advise Marketing Departments when developing new sustainable finance products. 
•    Work closely with the Communications teams in EMEA and Tokyo (and other regions where appropriate) on the preparation of SMBC BI marketing materials, press releases, and other stakeholder communications to enhance the bank’s reputation and avoid greenwashing claims
•    Ensure that SMBC’s sustainable finance offering remains aligned to the firm’s commercial strategy, carefully balancing social and economic value creation
•    Advise on the risk of greenwashing by reviewing products and maintaining relevant procedures.

Risk Control

•    Communicate relevant policy and regulatory developments. appropriately within the firm. 
•    Head of Sustainability Strategy SMBC BI will lead the Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) Project and  ongoing process for EMEA deals under the guidance of the Sustainability Planning Department at head office.
•    Advise Risk Management Department on the Sustainability risk framework, risk appetite statements, or other policies related to sustainability matters.
•    Provide challenge and guidance through risk focused governance forums, such as the Sustainability Risk Management Committee

Accountabilities and Responsibilities, contd.

Leading Transformation
•    Leads and sponsors projects to implement regulatory related change, such as the UK PRA SS5/25 plan, UK Sustainability Reporting Standards , ensuring alignment with European implementation. 
•    Play a leadership role in the ECB Onboarding Sustainability project, in close collaboration with the EMEA Head of Sustainability Strategy, ensuring clear coordination with overlapping deliveries for PRA SS5/25, and supporting the development of new processes and capabilities that will be implemented regionally. 
•    Handle project governance activities, such as setting agendas for steering committees, identifying and resolving risks and issues, ensuring proactive engagement with relevant stakeholders, and challenging relevant project managers or workstream leads to ensure an on time, within budget delivery. 

Governance 
•    Responsible for providing strategic direction to setting the bank’s longer-term Social Value Creation and Net Zero strategies and embedding sustainability as a priority in strategy at an organisational level and at individual department level
•    Provide regular updates on strategy, performance, and disclosure to the relevant SMBC BI management committees (e.g., Executive committee, Finance Committee, etc.) and the BI Board and its sub-committees, working in close collaboration with the Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA, to ensure an aligned message with other EMEA legal entities, and with the Finance & Control function. 
•    Advise on reputational risks related to bank’s sustainability activities by attending Reputational Risk Committee.
•    Oversee the budget administration for the region’s Social Value Management activities across sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Ensure clear alignment between the CSR strategy and the broader Social Value Creation framework. 

 Leadership & Communication
•    Maintain relationships with banking trade organisations, partners and other sector associations on sustainability aspects 
•    Maintain a good relationship with relevant colleagues in Tokyo in order to understand the global approach to Social Value Creation and to ensure Tokyo understands what is happening in EMEA
•    In partnership with Finance & Control Department, prepared the annual SMBC BI Sustainability disclosures. This includes maintaining disclosure documentation such as the reporting criteria, working with internal and external assurance, narrative review by local and Group stakeholders, and good engagement with colleagues from various functions that contribute (e.g., Risk Management, Corporate real estate, Corporate Secretary etc.) 
•    Develop internal and external communications such as training, seminars, communications with regulators, for clients, and on behalf of SMBC Group.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

•    In depth knowledge of sustainability and regulatory frameworks such as UN Sustainability Developments Goals,  ISSB, TCFD/TNFD, ICMA/LMA Sustainable Bond/Lending principles, the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework, relevant PRA and EBA       regulations, and an understanding of the Conference of Parties UNFCC (COP) goals and the principles of the other major sustainability/climate change regulations or disclosure frameworks.
•    Familiarity with the public sector and with the relevant policy making bodies (But a candidate with a pure public sector background is unlikely to be a good fit).
•    International and extensive experience of sustainable/ESG financial products including green, social and sustainability-linked loans/bonds and transition finance. 
•    Scientific/academic background in Sustainability/Climate Change with experience as a strategy adviser/consultant.
•    Proven track record of developing and leading teams in a major institution, either public sector or private sector, such as a global bank, a major regulator or international agency leading and developing strategy on Sustainability/ESG/Climate Change activities.
•    Proven track record of successful decision-making, problem solving and conflict resolution
•    A leader who promotes collaboration and good teamwork
•    Excellent good oral and written communication skills in English and an ability to communicate complex proposals.
•    Previous experience leading teams across multiple disciplines and cultures
•    Ideally able to communicate in another major international language, in addition to English
•    Relevant degree from a leading university

Competencies

Challenges

•    The Head of Sustainability Strategy UK will be required to lead the firm on all aspects of the execution of its Sustainability strategy at a time of rapidly changing standards and regulations
•    Helping the firm prioritise social value creation ambitions alongside economic value creation expectations. 
•    Manage the firm’s reputational risk relating to its Sustainability activities

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!!