EMEA Head of Data Governance

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SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we'll always strive to be better, we're proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.

Who we are

The EMEA Data Office, established in 2022, oversees data management across all EMEA entities. In 2024, SMBC appointed a Global Chief Data & Analytics Officer, driving significant improvements in global collaboration and launching several key initiatives.

Since its inception, the EMEA Data Office has expanded to a team of 71 permanent staff, with a total team size of around 127 people, including contractors and consultants engaged in project work. We have ambitious plans for further growth throughout 2025 and 2026. The Data Governance group currently has a headcount of 75, comprising permanent employees, contractors, and consultants.

Role Summary

The EMEA Head of Data Governance is a pivotal role within SMBC's Data Management function, both regionally and globally. This highly experienced individual will leverage deep expertise to lead the implementation of data governance initiatives across SMBC EMEA, ensuring full alignment with SMBC's global data governance strategy.

The role requires close collaboration with Tokyo Headquarters, the AD Division, APAC, and EA to ensure global consistency in SMBC Group's strategic programs, such as the Data Governance Maturity Enhancement Plan. It will also provide support for regulatory and compliance projects, including BCBS and ECB onboarding. Additionally, the position involves working closely with key local stakeholders in EMEA, such as the IT Department, RMD, STPD, Data Platform team, and Analytics Governance team, as well as supporting the buildout of the Global Capability Center (GCC), SMBC's offshore hub.

This role reports directly to the EMEA Regional Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

The EMEA Head of Data Governance plays a critical role in advancing SMBC's data management capabilities across the EMEA region and supporting global initiatives. This position is responsible for implementing strategic data governance programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering alignment with SMBC Group's global standards on data governance.

To strengthen SMBC Group's data governance framework, the following global programs are underway:

• Data Maturity Enhancement 3-Year Plan: Elevating governance maturity level for Key Data Usage articulated in FY24.
• BCBS239 Compliance Project: Ensuring consistent regulatory compliance across SMBC globally. Data governance is one of the most important workstreams in the BCBS239 compliance project.
• ECB Onboarding (FY27): Preparing SMBC's EU entity for ECB requirements, including implementing robust data governance for all regulatory reports mandated by the ECB.

These initiatives overlap but have distinct requirements, placing SMBC EMEA Data Management Office (DMO) in a critical implementation phase. Given their global nature, close coordination with Tokyo Headquarters and overseas entities is essential to maintain consistency and alignment.

Business Area

Position Description

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead the team in implementing the Data Maturity Enhancement Plan, which focuses on establishing data governance across all Key Data Use Cases (KDUs) identified by EMEA within various domains, and elevating the Key Data Elements (KDEs) within each KDU to the targeted maturity level.
• Lead the implementation team of Collibra, CDQ, and ServiceNow (SNOW), ensuring robust frameworks for data accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and consistency.
• Collaborate with global and regional BCBS239 delivery teams to meet all data governance requirements.
• Collaborate with the ECB onboarding coordination team to ensure compliance with all data governance requirements mandated by the ECB for our EU entity.
• Support the development of the Global Coordination Centre (GCC) and ensure its seamless integration into the global data governance framework.
• Contribute to the design, creation, and maintenance of Data Management Framework, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Manage budget planning and resource allocation for the Data Management function to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with data architecture, modelling, and platform teams to manage the migration from on-premise systems to a cloud-based data platform, while establishing robust data governance mechanisms within the platform.
• Manage complex vendor and implementation partner relationships, ensuring successful delivery and alignment with strategic goals.
• Engage directly with the board and regulators/supervisory authorities, providing transparency and assurance on data governance initiatives.
• Participate in the design and implementation of data specific solutions to ensure compliance with the regional Data governance policies, processes, and standards

Essential:

• In-depth knowledge of global Data Governance concepts applicable to financial institutions.
• Able to cooperate with Tokyo head office, as well as AD, APAC, EA division to ensure global alignment on the implementation of global initiatives.
• Experience in leading innovation and advisory functions across multiple regions.
• Strong understanding of Data Quality frameworks and team leadership.
• Practical experience in data architecture and data modelling.
• Familiarity with BCBS 239 requirements and ECB readiness programs.
• Detailed understanding of business architecture, technology, governance, and change management.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to drive cultural change.
• Demonstrable leadership and team development experience.
• Ability to manage large budgets and optimize resource allocation.
• Ability to translate complex data challenges into business language and align data and business goals.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of emerging trends and issues within the Data Governance landscapes
• Experience working with data platform & data architectures
• Nice to have Japanese language skill.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as Information Management, Computer Science, Business, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications in data governance, data management, or project management are advantageous.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken);

Challenges:

• Must be adept at managing teams from different cultures and expectations. (both from EMEA local and Tokyo Headquarter as well as other regions)
• Some global travel will be required, approximately 1-5 trips annually (Tokyo, NY, SNG, Frankfurt)

Competencies

Customer Focus
Driving Change
Driving Results
Embraces Diversity
Enterprise Leadership
Judgement and Decision Making
Risk Management
Strategic and Visionary
Trust and Integrity

What we offer

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is a core member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management operating in over 40 countries worldwide. SMBC Group has offices in 20 cities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) including its regional headquarters in London.

SMBC's competitive advantages include:

• A strong client base with broad coverage of the Fortune 500
• Worldwide operations that enable us to provide clients with global solutions and that make SMBC the leading choice for US businesses expanding in Asia
• A solid balance sheet and conservative approach

We prize energy, enthusiasm, excellence, and entrepreneurship and aim to attract the highest calibre of staff to join our existing talent and to contribute to the dynamic environment which we have established. With a focus on staff development and creating continual career opportunities, we are committed to our mission of providing a challenging and professionally rewarding work environment for our employees.

We operate a range of flexible benefits for our employees and are actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility through a variety of workplace events and opportunities for staff to contribute to and be involved with the local community.

As an employer, SMBC is dedicated to equality and values diversity within our workforce. SMBC group is a proud signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, and as equal opportunity employers, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage an inclusive environment that allows all our employees to be their true selves and fully thrive in their roles. Our culture is one of integrity and respect, where we welcome all input and accept it without judgment.

We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We'll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.

About SMBC

A trusted partner for the long term
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.
Find out more about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers

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