Principal System Analyst

The Japan Research Institute (JRI) Limited is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. SMBC Group is a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. JRI provides comprehensive, highly value-added information services through the coordinated application of its 3 functions, i.e., information systems, consulting, and think-tank. As a system integrator, JRI offers services in IT strategy planning, implementation, and outsourcing to a broad range of industries and activities. JRI Singapore currently supports the overall IT functions of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in the Asia Pacific Region.

The Role

The successful candidate is responsible for system analysis to support IT system development for SMBC APAC countries and JRIS. He/she is expected to serve as the liaison between business and technical teams, lead discussions on requirements with business users, analyze functional impact to existing systems, and propose functional solutions to users to meet business needs. He/she will work closely with stakeholders from Japan Head Office, end users, system development departments, company back-office departments, and vendors across the APAC region to establish effective and efficient collaboration.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop plans for requirement gathering activities, including timelines, effort estimates, and the parties involved.
• Drive communication, engagement, and sharing of plans with all stakeholders.
• Escalate project issues to Project Manager for timely resolution and effective risk management.
• Lead discussions with stakeholders to understand, analyze, validate user/business/system requirements to determine project requirements.
• Perform functional impact analysis and risk assessment to examine and evaluate existing vs. future processes.
• Design functional solutions based on user requirements, collaborating with Technical Leads to identify any technical constraints and limitations to the proposed solutions.
• Document functional specifications of proposed solutions.
• Obtain user confirmation and secure buy-in, followed by official sign off.
• Provide expertise as a functional SME in system design and development.
• Support test activities to ensure delivered solutions meet requirements and testing coverage is met.
• Support integration testing and user acceptance testing efforts.
• Evaluate, review, and ensure adherence to processes and compliance standards.
• Prepare training materials, conduct user training, and provide support to end users to ensure that they can effectively use systems.
• Provide the necessary guidance and coaching to team members and vendor staff to ensure timely and quality deliverables.
• Facilitate walkthroughs with stakeholders and ensure clear communication between technical and non-technical teams to align on project goals and deliverables.
• Proactively socialize with stakeholders and maintain good relationships to steer tasks.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or equivalent with around 10 years of experience providing IT services to Financial Institutions.
• Knowledge in AML systems and the business of a global bank, with experience in AML-related IT systems.
• Proficiency in Japanese is highly preferred as this role requires preparing reports in Japanese for reporting to Head Office in Japan and presenting to senior stakeholders who communicate in Japanese.
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Technical background with a good understanding of the SDLC cycle is a plus.
• Proven experience in solution, architecture, and design for AML systems
• In-depth knowledge of business analysis and system analysis.
• Prior working experience as an IT professional or Business/System Analyst in banking or a financial institution is an advantage.
• Regional exposure in IT system development projects with both Japan and other country markets
• Logical and analytical with attention to detail.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Functional designing skills.
• Influential and strong communication skills.
• Strategic, systematic, and logical thinking.
• Proven track record of team leading experience.
• Possess strong and assertive verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities.
• Good bi-directional and collaborative attitude to work as a professional in a team.
• Willing to take on an ad-hoc project as necessary.