Operations Planning - Business Management Vice President

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 are looking for a Vice President, Governance & Strategic Oversight for our Operations Planning Department (OPPD) to join our team.

The Vice President will play a critical role in strengthening the governance, strategic alignment, and overall operating effectiveness of the Operations Planning Department (OPPD). The role serves as a central coordination point for governance activities, strategic planning, and cross‑departmental collaboration. Working closely with the Co‑Heads of OPPD, senior stakeholders across EMEA Operations, and wider SMBC functions, the VP will ensure that governance forums operate effectively and strategic initiatives are clearly articulated and well‑tracked. The position requires strong analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to drive consistency, quality, and strategic coherence across all OPPD outputs.

The purpose of this role is to enhance and improve the operating effectiveness of the Operations Planning Department through:

• Maintaining and strengthening OPPD’s governance framework, ensuring high‑quality reporting and enabling more efficient, consistent delivery of department‑wide responsibilities.
• Supporting the preparation and effective operation of OPPD governance forums, partnering across OPPD and the wider organisation to source, validate, and develop high‑quality materials that meet senior management expectations.
• Advancing initiatives to enhance the operational governance of SMBC EMEA, ensuring that OPPD’s contributions to governance committees and forums are robust, transparent, and decision orientated.
• Performing a comprehensive read‑across of governance papers and materials to ensure consistent messaging, strategic alignment and accuracy across all submissions to senior stakeholders and governance bodies.
• Supporting the development, communication, and delivery of the OPPD Strategy within EMEA Operations, including tracking progress, milestones, and deliverables to ensure transparent reporting and effective execution of strategic initiatives.

Business Area

The remit of OPPD spans all SMBC EMEA entities and countries, all business units and supporting functions, including:

• OPPD Planning Group: Responsible for Business Service Management, including Governance, Strategic Oversight, Financials and Headcount Planning.
• Transformation and Change Management Group: Responsible for programme and project design and delivery, change methodology and toolset and providing Project Management and Business Analyst resources to support programmes and projects.
• Data Management Group: Responsible for the Data Strategy, design of the Data Architecture and supporting delivery of data solutions.
• Financial Crime Business Service Management Group: Responsible for strengthening our first line financial crime capability, particularly as we strive to grow our Transaction Banking business
• Operational Resilience: Responsible for strengthening the firm’s operational resilience, management of third-party providers (internal and external) and managing third party risk.
• CRES: Responsible for Corporate Real Estate & Services, Health & Safety, Workplace adjustments and services, Technical and Environmental services and Security & Risk.
• Control Office: Responsible for mitigating non-financial risks, including but not limited to operational risk and compliance risk within the First Line of Defence (1LoD) of SMBC EMEA

Position Description

Experience, Skills and knowledge:

• Previous experience in Business Management, Planning, Governance or COO functions (5+ years minimum), ideally within a large financial institution or complex operating environment.
• Strong experience working within operational governance, control frameworks, or strategy delivery, including support for governance committees and senior decision‑making.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development, execution tracking, and performance reporting, with the ability to translate strategic objectives into structured deliverables.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders, with confidence to challenge constructively and ensure alignment of messaging across governance materials.
• Strong analytical skillset, including the ability to interpret complex data and derive meaningful management insights.
• High proficiency with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint, with the ability to develop high‑quality reports, dashboards, and governance materials.
• Strong organisation and planning capabilities, including the ability to establish and communicate operating cadences, manage timelines, and ensure timely delivery of high‑quality materials.
• Ability to multitask efficiently, managing multiple priorities and parallel workstreams under tight deadlines.
• Strong capability to work effectively with a wide range of profiles, including technical teams, functional stakeholders, and medium‑to‑senior management.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and resilient under pressure, particularly when managing senior‑level requirements.
• High level of attention to detail, especially when performing read‑across reviews of governance papers to ensure consistency, accuracy, and strategic alignment.
• Good knowledge of banking operations, risk concepts, and internal governance frameworks applicable to large financial institutions.
• A mindset of continuous improvement, actively seeking opportunities to enhance governance, planning, and business‑management processes.

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!!