Executive Director, Head of Business Strategy Group

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION SINGAPORE BRANCH; Singapore; On-site; SGD 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION SINGAPORE BRANCH seeks a senior APD strategy leader to shape regional strategy, planning and execution for APD across Asia Pacific. You will steer strategy formulation, governance, and engagement with Head Office, branches and investee companies.

You will build and coach a high-performing team, align with regulatory expectations, and partner with Risk, Legal and Compliance while leveraging strong stakeholder networks and Japanese corporate culture awareness.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of banking leadership in strategy, planning or senior roles.
• Degree in business, economics, finance or related discipline; postgraduate qualifications advantageous.
• Translate strategy into execution with strong analytical, financial and project management skills.
• Broad network of senior relationships across the Bank and Group; ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Lead multi-functional teams across locations; coach talent and build succession depth.
• Emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership; drive performance and change.
• Integrity, resilience, sound judgment under pressure and deadlines.
• Good knowledge of local Banking Act and regional regulatory expectations.
• Ability to assess regulatory, compliance and reputational implications; collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Risk, Audit.
• Japanese language ability and understanding of Japanese corporate culture; English fluency essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and refresh of APD strategy, mid-term plan and annual business plan.
• Convert strategy into prioritised initiatives with owners, milestones, KPIs and governance cadence.
• Provide consultation and governance support to APAC branches and group companies.
• Act as primary contact with Head Office for regional strategy and investee matters.
• Oversee macro research and insights to inform country risk views and strategy.
• Drive inter-branch collaboration on business promotion and cross-regional initiatives.
• Oversee governance and regulatory compliance across investee companies.
• Build and coach a high-performing team; manage performance and succession.
• Prepare briefings for APD senior management and Head Office executives; represent SMBC in forums.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Change management

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Regulatory understanding

Cross-border collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/economics/finance

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning: Lead the formulation and refresh of APD strategy, mid-term business structure and the annual business plan, ensuring alignment with SMBC Group and Global Business Unit priorities and the APD MTMP.
• Strategy-to-Execution: Convert strategic ideas into prioritised initiatives with clear owners, milestones, KPIs and governance cadence.
• Branch & Subsidiary Oversight: Provide consultation, oversight and governance support to APAC branches and group companies on business development, strategy, operating model and organisational matters, ensuring consistency with regional objectives and Head Office direction.
• Head Office Strategic Partner : Act as the primary point of contact with Head Office departments for regional strategy, planning, organisational and investee-related matters
• Macro Research & Insights: Oversee regional macroeconomic and sector research to inform country risk views, business strategy, including timely ad hoc updates on geopolitical developments.
• Business Promotion & Alliances: Drive inter-branch and inter-department collaboration on business promotion, group alliances and cross-regional initiatives for Japanese and non-Japanese corporate clients.
• Equity Solutions & Investee Governance: Oversee governance, regulatory compliance, capital actions and strategic execution across a diverse portfolio of investee companies on behalf of Head Office.
• People Leadership: Build, coach and develop a high-performing, engaged team; set clear objectives, manage performance and succession, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and innovation, including the adoption of AI and new ways of working.
• Senior Stakeholder Engagement: Prepare and deliver briefings to APD senior management, Head Office executives and Boards, and represent SMBC in industry and regional forums as required.

Requirements

• At least 15 years of banking experience with a proven leadership track record in strategy, planning, business management or a comparable senior role within a financial institution, ideally with Asia Pacific, cross-border and Head Office / regional HQ exposure.
• Degree in business, economics, finance or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications are advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into execution, with strong analytical, financial and project management skills and a good understanding of bank profitability drivers, balance sheet and risk-return trade-offs.
• Broad and deep network of senior relationships across the Bank, Group companies and relevant industry bodies; proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Proven record of leading, motivating and developing multi-functional teams of diverse seniority, skills and cultures across locations, with the ability to coach talent and build succession depth.
• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to bridge diverse community of colleagues and management styles, building trust, psychological safety and a collaborative team culture.
• Capable of setting clear direction, delegating effectively, managing performance fairly and objectively, and navigating change and transformation while sustaining team engagement and retention.
• Role-model leadership with integrity, resilience and sound judgement under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of the local Banking Act and related regulations and guidelines), and familiarity with regulatory and supervisory expectations across Asia Pacific jurisdictions.
• Ability to assess the regulatory, compliance and reputational implications of strategic, organisational and business decisions, and to work effectively with Legal, Compliance, Risk and Audit.
• Ability to converse in Japanese and the understanding of Japanese corporate culture is desirable given the nature of day-to-day consultation with Head Office, including business-level spoken communication and comprehension of Japanese documents; fluent English is essential.