Headquartered in Tokyo, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is a leading global financial institution and a core member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group). Built upon our rich Japanese heritage since 1876, we put our customers first and provide seamless access to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. SMBC is one of the largest Japanese banks by assets and maintain strong credit ratings across our global integrated network. We work closely as one SMBC Group to offer personal, corporate and investment banking services to meet the needs of our customers.
With sustainability embedded within our strategy and operations, we are committed to creating a society in which today’s generation can enjoy economic prosperity and well-being, and pass it on to future generations.
Role Summary
The Chief Operating Officer for Corporate Banking drives the strategic, operational, and analytical foundations of the franchise across Asia-Pacific. The role shapes and executes the regional strategy, strengthens the operating model, and embeds disciplined performance management to improve profitability, efficiency, and franchise value. It partners closely with central functions—particularly Data & Analytics, Technology, Risk, and Finance—to translate insights into better credit outcomes, stronger client engagement, and more effective frontline execution. The COO leads major transformation and digitization initiatives, enhances operational governance, and supports disciplined business expansion in priority industries. As a visible change leader, the role builds high-performing teams, fosters collaboration across regions, and ensures Corporate Banking delivers consistent, scalable, and competitive outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic leadership and operating model
- Shape and articulate the Corporate Banking strategy for Asia-Pacific, grounded in market analysis, competitive insights, and regional business dynamics.
- Define and execute the target operating model, coordinating across business, risk, finance, technology, and regional leadership teams.
- Translate strategy into clear priorities, execution plans, and measurable performance outcomes that strengthen profitability and operational efficiency.
- Entrench the bank’s market presence by executing on targeted industry growth plans, coordinating with product‑coverage efforts and deepening client relevance across priority markets.
2. Business performance and governance
- Lead business performance management, including planning, forecasting, KPI frameworks, and strategic target setting.
- Drive improvements in profitability and capital efficiency through disciplined resource allocation, portfolio optimization, and enhanced cost management.Strengthen operational governance, regulatory adherence, and risk management discipline across regions.
- Ensure business initiatives align with the Group’s risk appetite, governance standards, and long-term franchise objectives.
3. Analytics-driven transformation
- In close partnership with Group Data & Analytics,
- Drive sustainable franchise growth by embedding analytics into Corporate Banking decision-making and performance management. Shape and execute on the application of analytics across client engagement and frontline processes.
- Translate analytics-enabled insights into improved profitability, efficiency, and client outcomes across Corporate Banking.
- Embed models, early-warning systems, segmentation tools, and decision-support solutions that strengthen credit discipline, improve risk-adjusted returns, and elevate commercial effectiveness.
4. Business expansion and industry growth
- Support business expansion across APAC by identifying and prioritizing high-potential expansion industries (e.g., energy transition, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics).
- Partner with product, risk, and regional teams to design scalable frameworks that enable disciplined, profitable growth in these priority sectors.
- Strengthen the bank’s presence in chosen industries to reinforce competitive advantage and long-term franchise value.
- Communicate strategic initiatives and progress to Group executives.
5. Operational excellence and transformation
- Lead process re-engineering, digitization, and automation to improve speed, efficiency, and client experience.
- Drive adoption of workflow tools, standardized processes, and data-driven operating practices that reduce cost-to-serve and enhance productivity.
- Oversee major transformation programs with clear prioritization, disciplined execution, and measurable impact on profitability and operational performance.
6. People and change leadership
- Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
- Build and develop high‑performing teams across operations, transformation, analytics, and business management.
- Act as a visible change leader across regions and Group forums, fostering collaboration, alignment, and a performance-driven mindset.
7. Strategic partnership and stakeholder engagement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head of Corporate Banking.
- Align priorities with Technology, Risk, Finance, Compliance, and regional CEOs to ensure cohesive execution and efficient delivery.
- Represent Corporate Banking in global governance forums and enterprise-wide initiatives that enhance franchise value and operational effectiveness.
Qualifications & Attributes
- Proven leadership in COO roles, transformation, and/or large-scale operating model change.
- Strong understanding of credit, risk and frontline operations across markets.
- Experience deploying analytics or digital capabilities at scale.
- Board-ready communicator with strong execution discipline and global mindset.
- Commercially grounded, collaborative, culturally fluent, and resilient under pressure.
What We Offer
- A defining leadership role in a major global bank’s APAC growth agenda.
- Direct engagement with senior leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Competitive compensation and significant career impact within SMBC Group.
