Project Management Cross-Function Director
London, LND, GB, EC2M 2AT
SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term
Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.
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 Portfolio Director with Sales and Trading domain knowledge to join our Transformation and Change Management Group
The Portfolio Director is accountable for the strategic oversight, coordination, and prioritisation of multiple programmes and projects across Sales and Trading portfolio. Leading the strategic direction and ensuring alignment with the bank’s strategy.
The successful candidate must have: strong effective communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge and experience of banking and markets activities and the surrounding regulatory framework and be an effective team-builder with the willingness to get involved in tasks, when necessary, to ensure the objectives are achieved.
Business Area
The Transformation and Change Management Group (TCMG) provides the SMBC enterprise professional project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) resource and expertise to the organisation. It was established in Nov 2019 as an independent, centralized business function operating at a strategic level to provide enterprise-wide oversight, standards and delivery of change.
The oversight function includes governance, guidance, best practices, mentoring and up-skilling project managers from other departments and BAU staff.
Implementation of a standard enterprise-wide project framework including tools, templates and standardized processes. The aim is that TCMG ensures strategic alignment between business objectives and projects executed.
TCMG is also a resource centre/ centre of excellence. It is comprised of professionally qualified project, programme and change managers, business analysts and junior analysts. These are divided into multi-disciplinary teams with report lines to a Team Lead.
Position Description
Responsible for managing and overseeing all Sales and Trading programmes and projects, you will work closely with the senior executives across Financial Markets department (Trading, Customer Sales) and, Global Markets department (Derivatives, Fixed income, Equities, Research and, Planning). Partnering with Risk, Finance, Operations to drive portfolio level decisions.
The Sales and Trading portfolio composed of a variety of complex projects medium-long term in length, that impact multiple departments and/or offices and are medium to high in risk, scope and complexity that aim to achieve growth, greater compliance and decrease the potential for reputational risk.
Accountable for the strategic oversight, coordination, and prioritisation of multiple programmes and projects across a defined business area. They act as the strategic interface between transformation and business lines to ensure that initiatives are aligned to SMBC’s mid- to long-term objectives.
Responsible for strategic Alignment with business line heads to understanding the 2-3 year business strategy and objectives. Translate strategic goals into a clear, actionable business transformation roadmap. Prioritise initiatives based on strategic value, business impact, regulatory commitments, and resource availability.
Oversee the programme/project lifecycle, from initiation through to benefits realisation. Ensure the right balance between run-the-bank (RTB), change-the-bank (CTB), and transformation initiatives.
Establish and maintain robust portfolio governance structures and decision-making forums. Ensure Programme/Project Managers provide transparent reporting to Management/Steerco on performance, risks, and benefits realisation.
Drive accountability and continuous improvement through regular portfolio reviews.
Stakeholder management is critical to the role. Primary liaison between transformation and business units. Engage executive sponsors to ensure strategic intent remains aligned throughout the delivery lifecycle.
Ensuring that all deliverables achieve compliance for the organisation, meet the objectives of the project, are in line with best market practise and can withstand formal regulatory scrutiny.
Qualifications and Experience
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years’ experience in Sales & Trading, Corporate Banking or Financial Markets with at least 5 years in a senior portfolio management or strategy role
- Proven track record of managing complex financial portfolios with deep understanding of capital, liquidity and market risk dynamics
- Strong knowledge of products such as FX, fixed income, money markets, derivatives, and structured solutions
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and influence at executive level
- Experience managing remediation, optimisation or transformation initiatives in a regulated banking environment
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!!
We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.