Sponsor Coverage Strategy, Partnerships & Structured Solutions (EMEA), Managing 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 MD - Sponsor coverage strategy, Partnerships & Structured solutions for our Sponsor Coverage (EMEA) to join our team. 

This is a senior growth and governance leadership role within Sponsor Coverage. The role provides strategic leadership and commercial oversight for Sponsor Coverage’s joint ventures (JVs), partnership programs and structured solutions across EMEA.

The role will be implemented by:

• Driving strategic oversight of JVs and partnerships with sponsor clients, ensuring clear commercial objectives, governance and alignment to the firm’s priorities.
• Providing commercial oversight of sponsor client profitability, including KPI design, reporting cadence and actions to improve returns (e.g., ROE/RWA efficiency, fee capture and cost-to-serve).
• Driving the development of cross-product structured finance solutions for sponsor clients, partnering with product teams to originate, structure and execute scalable solutions.
• Assisting sponsor client strategy in emerging areas of opportunity, including ECM-related financing opportunities for SMBC and adjacent capital-markets-linked structures.
• Developing financing solutions for senior partners at sponsor clients that are hybrids of NAV-style financing and Wealth Management propositions.

Taking a leadership role on all internal-facing obligations for the Sponsor Coverage platform, including governance, management information, controls and coordination across functions.

Business Area

Sponsor Coverage operates in a complex, multi-product environment requiring disciplined governance, strong coordination with control functions, and an ability to translate strategy into execution through programs, partnerships and structured solutions.

The role sits at the intersection of client strategy, program management and operational resilience, ensuring Sponsor Coverage can scale sustainably while meeting internal and external requirements.

Position Description

High level of interaction with senior internal stakeholders across product, planning and control functions, and frequent engagement with senior sponsor decision-makers (including senior partners at Sponsor clients).

Owns the Sponsor Coverage JV/partnership oversight framework and sponsor client profitability/KPI scorecarding to support strategic prioritisation, capital efficiency and disciplined growth.

Acts as a coordinating point for cross-product structured solutions across leveraged finance, NAV/subscription solutions and capital-markets-linked opportunities.

• Strategic oversight of JVs and partnerships
• Commercial oversight: sponsor client profitability & KPI tracking
• Cross-product structured finance solutions
• Emerging opportunities (including ECM-related financing)
• Governance, controls and operating rhythm (internal leadership)
• Drive cross-department collaboration to deliver a One Bank approach for sponsor clients
• Significant senior-level experience in business management to include close alignment with sponsor coverage, structured finance, leveraged finance or adjacent capital markets with demonstrated ability to operate at Managing Director level.
• Proven capability in JV/partnership governance, programmatic structures and navigating complex internal approval processes.
• Preferred: cross-asset structured finance familiarity (e.g., NAV/subscription, real estate, leveraged finance programs)

Qualifications: Degree level required; higher-level financial qualification (e.g., CFA/ACA/ACCA) preferred.

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!!