Job Description

11 Nov 2025
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

The current Finance change team resource has always bifurcated their time between Regulatory driven, Bank wide and Finance driven projects. This role is dedicated to Finance driven projects and is purposely segregated from other activity. This will allow focus to build a team, develop a roadmap of change and drive change specially for the benefit of Finance, prioritising technology enhancements, process and efficiency improvement and enhanced control.

The role is based in London but the Finance function spans the EMEA region and the change roadmap will encompass the broader Finance function across the region.

The purpose of this role is to build and lead a dedicated delivery capability for change specifically for Finance. The role has responsibility to develop a roadmap and deliver that change across Finance to ensure the day to day processes are better controlled and more efficient, utilising new technology, including AI, to the greatest extent possible.

Business Area

Strategic Planning Department - Finance

The Change team currently consists of 12 permanent change professionals and 8 temporary team members

The Finance function across EMEA is approximately 150 strong

The SMBC BI Balance sheet is approx. Usd 60Bn the German Bank Balance sheet is approx. Usd 30Bn

The role will begin with direct manger responsibility over 1 VP permanent resource, various VP or AVP permanent or temporary resource allocated to project deliver as demand dictates
Position Description

Lead the design and execution of the Finance change roadmap, championing the integration of modern technologies--including AI--to enhance reporting capabilities and drive digital transformation across the function

Establish and cultivate strategic partnerships with internal and external Technology stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term value creation

Own and govern the change development schedule, setting priorities, allocating resources, and driving delivery against strategic milestones

Forge strong delivery partnerships with ITSD teams, providing leadership and direction to ensure timely execution of Finance priorities

Oversee project portfolio management, adapting resource allocation dynamically to meet evolving business needs and ensure optimal impact

Provide executive-level visibility of project progress, delivering clear, concise updates and insights to senior stakeholders through structured governance forums

Direct the full lifecycle of business solution delivery, from requirements definition through to design, development, testing, deployment, and post-implementation support--ensuring alignment with budget and timelines

Lead the validation and approval of business requirements, guiding the creation of development specifications and overseeing UAT and implementation testing to ensure solutions meet strategic goals

Build and empower a high-performing team, use existing training and development frameworks to support capability growth and succession planning

Drive strategic initiatives and respond to emerging priorities, taking ownership of ad hoc projects that align with Finance transformation goals

Provide senior oversight of Finance operations across EMEA, ensuring consistent service delivery to SMBC London Branch under the Agreement for the Provision of Services, and fulfilling dual-hat responsibilities for NCM Finance teams as directed by EMEA F&C leadership
Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Part or fully qualified accountant

Project Management qualification

Technology expertise relevant to Finance processes and reporting capability

Knowledge

Extensive experience of delivery new technology, including AI, into a Finance function

Functional expert and certified business analyst in Banking sector and across multiple countries (system currently supports UK, France, Belgium, Dubai, Italy, German, Spain, Ireland and Netherlands).

Strong knowledge of data requirements within the Finance data domain

Financial Product Knowledge (IR & FX Derivatives, Securities, Equity, Loans, Deposits, Current Accounts) gained through working in the banking sector

Experience in producing business requirements in liaison with Business reporting teams.

Act as consultant to the Business for all tasks related to Finance Reporting

Ability to be able to interrogate and analyse data on Oracle based platform and / or MSAccess (SQL)

Provide Knowledge and Documentation support for all aspects of the development life cycle (requirements, gap analysis, test plans, testing, issue and risk logs, user procedures and ongoing continual process improvements).

Needs to be as functionally knowledgeable as the software supplier business experts to be able to engage in discussions and provide meaningful analysis to them, including bug fixing / testing.

Knowledge of upgrade procedure for management of all system testing and end to end testing of new software.

Manage testing phases with users in different entities/countries, including software training, user set-up and bespoke development software training.

Leadership experience including managing and developing strong performing team

Experience

Good knowledge of Finance Systems, General accounting and business knowledge.

Knowledge of all relevant banking products, including derivatives, securities & corporate banking products

Experience delivering Finance transformation projects

Experience of building out strong delivery teams with extensive SME capability

Qualifications

Part or fully qualified accountant

Project Management qualification

Technology expertise relevant to Finance processes and reporting capability

Skills

Oracle SQL, MS Office Suite

Very IT literate (very good level of Excel skills and ability to use SQL)

IT background with broad knowledge of technical aspects of system

Ability to manage all functional issues as they inter-relate between forms and countries

Personal qualities

Self-motivated.

A proactive individual who is willing and able to become a key player in a vital area of the bank's development and move to more technology driven processes.

Able to work in a flexible and responsive manner according to the needs of the company.

Ability to drive multiple complex projects simultaneously

Strong stakeholder management with excellent communication skills

Positive attitude to the team and customers

Ability to handle pressure of extensive urgent project with tight deadlines
Competencies
Customer Focus
Driving Change
Driving Results
Embraces Diversity
Enterprise Leadership
Judgement and Decision Making
Risk Management
Strategic and Visionary
Trust and Integrity
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.




About SMBC


A trusted partner for the long term

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, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.

about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers