Operations Cross-Function 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 Operations Cross-Function Director to join our team. This role ensures that change activity impacting Operations Department including bank wide transformation programs, large system change and small change initiatives are clearly prioritised and resourced appropriately. They will oversee Operations change portfolio management, roadmap delivery, testing governance, workforce planning, and executive reporting, enabling safe, compliant, and efficient operational transformation. Role spans the full Operations back office delivery function, supporting governance, planning and reporting activities. Works across all Operations teams with regional interaction across EMEA Responsible for coordination of Operations inputs into executive level reporting Interfaces regularly with Transformation and Tech functions Makes recommendations to senior management regarding headcount requirements Business Area Operations - Operations and Administration Department Position Description Manage the Operations Change function, supporting effective governance, planning and management, ensuring activities are well‑controlled, transparent and aligned with internal standards and regulatory expectations. Define and maintain integrated, multi-year change roadmaps across Operations (e.g., payments, lending, onboarding, servicing). Identify and manage cross-program dependencies to ensure coordinated delivery within Operations. Continuously adapt plans to reflect regulatory changes, market conditions, and internal priorities. Oversight and responsibility for delivery as assigned of various projects or workstreams assigned to Operations. Coordinate Operations input into management, executive and Board‑level reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness. Support headcount planning ensuring periods of high delivery of change are resourced appropriately. Act as a key liaison between Technology and Transformation and Change . Support portfolio‑level reporting and tracking of Operations internal initiatives, providing consolidated views of progress, issues and dependencies. Coordinate actions, priorities and deliverables across Operations teams, supporting clarity of objectives benefits realisation. Contribute to the continuous improvement of governance, reporting and planning processes across the Operations functions. Experience & Qualifications The role will be expected to engage with stakeholders across Operations (OAD) across EMEA and represent Operations to Senior Management when required. Strong experience in banking operations and large-scale change delivery for Operations including portfolio management, planning, and governance. Proven ability to manage complex dependencies, regulatory-driven initiatives, and resource constraints. Ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines Collaborative leadership and stakeholder engagement 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.