Financial Change Director

Job description

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 Finance Change Director to join our team. The purpose of this role is to drive Finance change activity across all Finance functional teams. The role will involve using existing and new technology to the greatest extent possible through close liaison with ITSD teams, influencing delivery and technology capabilities for the benefit of Finance. A key element of the role initially will be to focus on improvements to the Derivatives Product Control function – with a focus on increasing efficiency and control strength. Business Area The Finance change team is bifurcated into pillars for firm-wide change and for Finance driven change. To support Finance-driven change, this role will work closely with ITSD and other relevant stakeholders to ensure new technology is enabled to support the teams to be successful. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of delivering new process and technology into a Finance function. Developing a deep understanding of the current system landscape will be essential for this role to ensure change activity is well understood and prioritised and to ensure relevant support is provided to the Change pillars and BAU functional teams as necessary. The book of work will contain both corporate banking and capital markets related initiatives. 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 Change team comprises 14 permanent change professionals and 9 temporary team members The Finance function across EMEA is approximately 150 strong The SMBC BI Balance sheet is approx. USD60b the German Bank Balance sheet is approx. USD30b Position Description Assist in leading 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 Challenge the status quo bringing fresh ideas for process and technology capability in order to transition the team into a Finance function for the future Establish and cultivate strategic partnerships with internal and external Technology stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term value creation Forge strong delivery partnerships with ITSD teams, providing leadership and direction to ensure timely execution of Finance priorities Influence ITSD technology strategy for the benefit of Finance processes 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 Drive strategic initiatives and respond to emerging priorities, taking ownership of ad hoc projects that align with Finance transformation goals Assist the Finance-driven change lead as required. Qualifications Technology expertise relevant to Finance processes and reporting capability in a universal banking context. Essential Project Management/Business analysis qualification Desirable Part or fully qualified accountant Desirable Job Knowledge First rate data and problem-solving skills and the ability to understand and improve systems relating to a modern Finance function in a universal bank setting. Essential Functional expert in Banking sector and across multiple countries (system currently supports UK, France, Belgium, Dubai, Italy, German, Spain, Ireland and Netherlands). Desirable Financial Product Knowledge gained through working in the banking sector. Fixed Income derivatives experience preferred. Essential Experience in process re-engineering and producing business requirements in liaison with Business reporting teams. Essential Ability to be able to interrogate and analyse data on Oracle based platform. Desirable 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). Essential Ability to challenge internal and external IT teams when discussing solution design. Essential Knowledge of upgrade procedure for management of all system testing and end to end testing of new software. Desirable Manage testing phases with users in different entities/countries, including software training, user set-up and bespoke development software training. Essential Experience Good knowledge of Finance Systems, General accounting and business knowledge. Essential Good working knowledge of major universal banking products. Very strong knowledge of Product Control processes and controls in an investment banking environment. Essential Fixed Income Derivative experience strongly desired. Desired Experience of building out strong delivery teams with extensive SME capability Essential Clear demonstration of delivering processes improving efficiency and control Essential Skills/Abilities/Personal Qualities Highly mathematical with the ability to break down and solve complex technical problems. Essential SQL, MS 365 and Power Platform Essential Strong understanding of Finance systems in a modern universal bank. Essential Ability to manage all functional issues as they inter-relate between teams and countries Essential Working knowledge of the modern AI landscape, including the ability to demonstrate its application in a large Finance function Desirable Proactive and self-motivated with excellent communication skills. Essential Able to work in a flexible and responsive manner according to the needs of the company. Essential Ability to drive multiple complex initiatives simultaneously Essential Strong stakeholder management with excellent communication skills Essential Positive attitude to the team and customers Essential Ability to handle pressure of extensive urgent project with tight deadlines Essential 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. We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.