Executive Director, Sustainability Planning & Strategy, Asia Pacific Division (APD)

The Japan Research Institute, Limited (Singapore Branch); Singapore; On-site; SGD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Singapore seeks an Executive Director to lead Sustainability Planning & Strategy for the Asia Pacific Division. The role will shape the APD's sustainability agenda, driving culture, governance, and reporting in alignment with corporate objectives.

Leading a team of sustainability professionals, you will oversee policy implementation, engage regulators, and collaborate with Heads of Countries and BUs to embed sustainability across the bank’s

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of leadership in sustainability/climate advisory for financial services
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders externally and internally
• Strong network with senior industry relationships
• In-depth knowledge of sustainability standards and banking sector relevance
• Familiar with IFC/GHG Protocol and environmental and social due diligence

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive APD sustainability mindset and culture aligned with the bank’s mission
• Lead a team of sustainability professionals to deliver the strategy
• Oversee policy implementation and governance of sustainability reporting
• Collaborate with regulators and industry bodies on sustainability matters
• Define and monitor KPIs; report progress to senior management
• Coordinate cross-functional programs to build sustainability capability

Skills

Sustainability leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategy development

Climate risk and reporting

Project management

Job description

Executive Director, Sustainability Planning & Strategy, Asia Pacific Division (APD)

Date: Sep 24, 2026

Location: Singapore

Company Overview

• 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 maintains 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 as “Social Value Creation” , 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.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and further drive the agenda of APD wide sustainability mindset and culture aligned with the organization’s mission and values.
• Leading and organise a team of sustainability professionals to effectively deliver agreed strategy.
• Oversee strategy implementation by the team, ensuring regular cadence between the team and Heads of Countries and Heads of BUs from a policy and engagement point
• Managing Responsible Financing and sustainability risk policies of the Bank, including developing new policies for identifying, managing, and monitoring environmental and social risks, and ensuring relevance and effective in building firm-wide resilience to sustainability risks, as well as compliance with relevant regulations and aligned with industry standards
• Work with Deputy Head of APD who is in charge of Sustainability in the region and the office of Global Chief Sustainability Officer (CS u O) in Head office to serve as a point of contact for engagements with regulators, governmental agencies, industry associations, NGOs and other relevant agencies/bodies on sustainability matters and where required, collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate responses and communications
• Governance and Reporting by working with stakeholders to organise and structure information for various sustainability reporting. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability and regularly report progress to Senior Management team and relevant stakeholders
• Ensure transparent and accurate reporting on sustainability metrics in alignment with industry standards
• Working cross-functionally with bank-wide stakeholders to define and drive the implementation of frameworks, policies, and tools, and facilitate various programmes and initiatives enabling effective sustainability capability development and risk management across the Bank
• Driving a collaborative, cross-functional team towards establishing sustainability understanding, practices and application of selected international standards/guidelines across the bank
• Engaging subsidiaries to ensure prompt adoption and localisation of the Group sustainability policies and to ensure compliance with Group core standards
• Facilitating awareness and capacity building on sustainability and risk management

Key Attributes and Skills

• At least 15-20 years of proven leadership track record and expertise in franchise-building, corporate client-facing role in the areas of sustainability/climate advisory, and/or environmental and social consulting
• Relevant academic studies will be advantageous in sustainability, environmental science, environmental engineering and development
• Demonstrates experience and ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders externally and internally in the area of sustainability-related matters
• Possesses a broad and deep network of senior relationships within this scope and relevant industry sectors
• In-depth knowledge of key sustainability issues, sustainability international standards/principles, relevant regulations & standards, and best practices relevanc e to the banking sector
• Familiar with international environmental and social policies, procedures, and standards such as IFC performance standards and/or GHG Protocol and possessing in-depth environmental and social due diligence experience
• Proficient in project management with strong analytical skills in analyzing data and identifying trends to understand data systems