Head of Business Platforms Transformation

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 Act as the senior strategist for Business Platforms, working with key business stakeholders to define how technology can create competitive advantage, strengthen client propositions and improve business performance across Markets, Payments, Loans and Cash Management. Develop a detailed understanding of business priorities, platform capabilities and market developments, assessing relevant technologies, vendors and industry practices to provide evidence-based insight on where and how the organisation should invest. Translate strategic choices into a coherent transformation roadmap, working across Business Platforms, Technology, Data, Operations, Risk and Finance and in close collaboration with overseas colleagues on global transformation initiatives. Define the KPIs, maturity measures and adoption metrics needed to track whether the strategy is being embedded and is delivering sustained business value, using the evidence to challenge priorities and refine the roadmap. Business Platforms operates within a complex, highly regulated and globally integrated environment undergoing significant business and technology change. This role provides strategic leadership by connecting business ambition, market developments and emerging technology to define a differentiated, multi-year direction for the function. The role partners with senior stakeholders across the relevant business domains and with Technology, Operations, Data, Finance, Risk, Compliance and Architecture. It brings an informed external perspective on technology providers, fintech capabilities, competitor direction and industry trends, converting that insight into clear strategic options, investment recommendations and target-state roadmaps. Accountable for the quality, coherence and measurable impact of the Business Platforms strategy, including alignment of investment choices to business outcomes, enterprise architecture and platform capabilities. The role works with overseas colleagues to align regional priorities, share market insight and deliver transformation initiatives that support the global business. Fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement across internal teams, contractors and delivery partners, building organisational capability and ensuring the successful adoption and embedding of transformational change across the Business Platforms function. Compensation The anticipated salary range for this role is £104,000 - £156,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision. Scale and Scope Director-level strategy role accountable for defining and embedding the Business Platforms transformation strategy across multiple business services, legal entities, jurisdictions and regions. Provides authoritative advice on how technology, market offerings and emerging capabilities can be used to improve client outcomes, increase efficiency, manage risk and create competitive advantage. Shapes the transformation agenda through deep business understanding in at least one of Markets, Payments, Loans or Cash Management, combined with sufficient breadth to identify cross-platform opportunities and dependencies. Acts as a trusted strategic partner to senior business and technology executives, challenging constructively, influencing strategic direction and translating business ambition into clear technology choices and investment priorities. Works in close collaboration with overseas colleagues to align regional and global strategies, evaluate common solutions and jointly shape and execute transformation initiatives. Defines and maintains the strategic scorecard, including KPIs and maturity, adoption and value measures, to provide transparent evidence of progress and to drive corrective action where the strategy is not becoming embedded. Leads a multidisciplinary strategy and transformation capability, drawing on business, technology, architecture, data, change and delivery expertise to convert strategic intent into sustained outcomes. Accountabilities & Responsibilities Own and continuously evolve the Business Platforms strategy, setting the strategic narrative, target state, priorities and multi-year roadmap in partnership with key business and technology stakeholders. Build a detailed understanding of business strategy, client needs, operating processes and platform capabilities, with recognized expertise in at least one of Markets, Payments, Loans or Cash Management. Maintain an informed view of what is available in the market, including relevant technologies, vendors, fintech capabilities, competitor approaches and emerging trends, and translate this into detailed strategic insight and actionable recommendations. Develop strategic options and investment cases that show how technology can differentiate the business, strengthen products and services, improve client experience and deliver measurable commercial and operational value. Define the KPIs, maturity indicators, adoption measures and value metrics needed to manage implementation of the strategy, establish baselines and targets, and report progress and areas requiring intervention. Use the strategic scorecard and stakeholder feedback to assess maturity and adoption, identify barriers to embedding, and adjust priorities, interventions and investment recommendations. Communicate complex business and technology choices through clear executive-level insight, ensuring stakeholders understand the rationale, trade-offs, expected outcomes and measures of success. Collaborate with overseas colleagues to share insight, align target states and roadmaps, evaluate common market solutions and jointly shape transformation projects that meet regional and global business needs. Skills & Experience Extensive experience defining and embedding business and technology strategy within a regulated financial services environment, with evidence of shaping executive decisions and delivering measurable business outcomes. Strong business expertise in at least one of Markets, Payments, Loans or Cash Management, with the credibility to engage senior business stakeholders on products, clients, operating models and strategic priorities. Deep understanding of technology-enabled business transformation, together with the ability to assess external market offerings, vendors, fintech capabilities and emerging trends and determine their relevance to the organisation. Demonstrable ability to develop strategic options, investment recommendations and target-state roadmaps that connect technology choices to competitive advantage, client value and business performance. Experience establishing strategy KPIs, maturity models, adoption measures and value metrics, and using them to manage embedding, challenge progress and refine strategic priorities. Experience operating within regulated environments (e.g. banking, financial services) with strong risk and control oversight. Experience working across regions and cultures in close collaboration with overseas colleagues, aligning strategic direction while recognising local business, regulatory and market requirements. Delivery using various technical delivery methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches) within a complex technology environment. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with a disciplined approach to planning, documentation, and follow-through. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to convey complex technology concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. 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.