Director, Underwriting Risk Management, Risk Management Department

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch) is seeking an experienced risk professional to oversee underwriting activities across APAC, evaluating transactions and providing strategic risk guidance to senior management.

You will lead governance for underwriting risk, monitor portfolio risk, and drive risk framework enhancements, partnering with Credit, First Line of Defence, and Head Office to ensure regulatory alignment and effective risk management.

Qualifications

• Degree in finance or related field; advanced qualifications advantageous (CFA, FRM, MBA).
• Minimum 15+ years in banking/financial services with credit risk/underwriting risk experience.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management; fluent English.
• Ability to lead initiatives in a fast-paced, complex environment with meticulous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent review and challenge of underwriting transactions across APAC with stakeholders in Credit and First Line of Defence.
• Oversee monitoring and management of unsold exposures and underwriting portfolio; review MtM and distribution strategies.
• Drive portfolio-level analysis of the regional underwriting book and present risk trends to committees.
• Develop APAC underwriting risk management strategy; enhance risk frameworks and governance standards.
• Coordinate cross-functional engagement with regional/global stakeholders to ensure regulatory alignment.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Teamwork

English fluency

Education

Degree in Finance/Related field

CFA

FRM

MBA

Job description

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Date: Oct 8, 2026

Location: Singapore

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.

We are seeking an experienced risk professional to play a key role in the oversight challenge, and governance of underwriting activities across the APAC region by evaluating underwriting transactions, overseeing portfolio risk, enhancing regional risk frameworks, and providing strategic risk guidance to senior management.

Job Responsibilities

Underwriting Transaction Oversight

• Support Senior Management and lead an independent review and challenge of underwriting transactions across APAC, partnering with stakeholders in Credit and First Line of Defence to support risk-based decision making by providing strategic oversight and expert assessment of credit, market, structural and execution risks associated with underwriting transactions.

Ongoing Risk Management and Governance

• Oversee monitoring and management of unsold exposures and underwriting portfolio including review of MtM and distribution strategy as well as escalation of key risk concerns.
• Drive portfolio-level analysis of the regional underwriting book presenting risk trends, concentrations, market developments and strategic recommendations to appropriate committees.
• Ensure full governance oversight for the Underwriting Business

Risk Framework and Strategy

• Drive the development and execution of the APAC underwriting risk management strategy.
• Lead enhancements to underwriting risk frameworks, policies, governance standards, and monitoring processes to ensure robust risk management and alignment with evolving regulatory and market expectations.
• Foster collaboration across regions and functions to promote best practices, consistency of risk standards, and continuous improvement of underwriting risk management capabilities.

Product and Business Initiative Risk Assessment

• Lead the risk assessment and governance review of new structured debt products, transactions and strategic business initiatives from a credit risk perspective.
• Coordinate cross-functional engagement with regional and global stakeholders, including Head Office, to ensure appropriate risk governance, regulatory compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.

Job Requirements :

• Degree or equivalent experience in Financial Institution; advanced qualifications such as CFA, FRM, MBA, or equivalent are advantageous.
• Minimum 15+ years of relevant experience within the banking or financial services industry, with strong experience in credit risk, underwriting risk, structured finance, leveraged finance, capital markets, or related risk management functions and a good understanding of key wholesale banking products and solutions
• Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with fluency in written and spoken English
• Team Player and highly self-motivated with strong ownership, execution discipline, and the ability to lead initiatives in a fast-paced and complex environment. Meticulous with an eye for detail.

Demonstrated ability to thrive in a regional or global environment, building effective relationships with stakeholders across multiple markets and driving initiatives across diverse jurisdictions.