Project Management Cross-Function Executive Director

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. Purpose of the Role Provide senior leadership and single‑point accountability for the planning, prioritisation, and delivery of the regional Enterprise / Cross Regional transformation portfolio. Ensure portfolio alignment to strategic objectives, optimised use of resources, and delivery of measurable business and regulatory outcomes. Act as the primary interface between executive management, senior stakeholders, and delivery teams, driving transparency, governance, and performance excellence. Maintain effective senior oversight across the portfolio, including risk management, issue escalation, and dependency management to enable informed decision‑making and successful delivery of change Background and Organisational Context TCMG provides the SMBC enterprise professional project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) resource and expertise to the organisation. It was established in Nov 2019 as an independent, centralized business function operating at a strategic level to provide enterprise-wide oversight and management of change. The oversight function includes governance, guidance, best practices, mentoring and up-skilling project managers from other departments and BAU staff. Implementation of a standard enterprise-wide project framework including tools, templates and standardized processes. The aim is that TCMG ensures strategic alignment between business objectives and projects executed. TCMG is also a resource centre/ centre of excellence. It is comprised of professionally qualified project, programme and change managers, business analysts and junior analysts. These are divided into multi-disciplinary teams with reporting line to a Team Lead. While working on projects or programmes individual staff retain their report line but for the purposes of the project have a dotted line to the Project or Programme manager and/or Sponsor. The teams handle the bank’s most complex programmes and projects that require strong regional or global co-ordination, are often regulatory deadline driven or key for business strategy, require close cooperation with multiple departments, offices and other regions and have significant budgets. The TCMG remit includes management of the enterprise project portfolio. This is a growing function within the team and provides: Central coordination of change delivery. Efficient use of resources, identification of conflicts, constraints and transparent reporting for the portfolio Identification of trends or themes impacting delivery progress Scale and Scope Successful design and delivery of the Transformation & Change Portfolio is expected to be a business-critical activity and key to delivering the strategic objectives of SMBC EMEA and the mid term management plan (MTMP). The scale of the Transformation & Change Portfolio will vary over time, currently there are 39 programmes / projects (29 active) with an estimated budget of c. USD 150 million per annum. The Transformation & Change Management Group consists of c.80 FTE Project length can range from 6months - 3 years in duration Interfaces with C-level project sponsors. Must meet and brief the Project Sponsor on a regular basis and educate them on the complexities of the change and the regulation Frequently responsible for multiple projects that have different drivers and deliverables with associated deadlines and priorities Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities Own and manage the Enterprise / Cross Regional, ensuring alignment to strategy, business priorities, and delivery of measurable outcomes. Establish and maintain robust portfolio governance, standards, and controls, with clear oversight of performance, benefits realisation, and dependencies. Provide regular, high‑quality reporting to senior leadership on portfolio health, risks, resource utilisation, and financial performance. Partner with executives and business leaders to assess new initiatives, drive prioritisation, and lead annual and quarterly portfolio planning cycles. Oversee portfolio‑level financial and resource management, ensuring effective allocation, cost discipline, and accurate forecasting. Act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders, proactively identifying and mitigating portfolio‑level risks and issues to ensure successful delivery Knowledge, Skills and Experience Extensive c-suite stakeholder management experience and communication skills. Proficiency in portfolio management tools and data visualisation platforms. Proven experience in project/programme management, and ideally portfolio management. Strong understanding of project governance, financial management, and resource planning. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field; project management, or equivalent certification or equivalent in working experience required Challenges The business objectives of SMBC as articulated in the 3 year plan are ambitious and require significant change delivery in order for the required outcomes to be achieved. Hence the Change Portfolio is likely to be complex, multi-location, multi-product and impact the majority of teams, processes and systems within SMBC EMEA. A major challenge for this role will be to balance the competing priorities to ensure a coherent Roadmap that will enable the business strategy of SMBC EMEA. 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.