Head of Sustainability Strategy (Director) SMBC BI

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 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, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future. Role Summary The expiry date for this position is 4th September 2026. Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We're looking for a Head of Sustainability Strategy, SMBC BI to join our Strategic Planning Department. This role will lead the implementation of SMBC's Social Value Creation and Sustainability Strategy within SMBC Bank International plc, driving sustainable business growth, regulatory readiness and governance while helping shape the firm's long-term sustainability agenda. Essentials of the role Lead the execution of sustainability strategy and social value creation initiatives across SMBC BI. Sponsor strategic regulatory and transformation programmes, including sustainability-related regulatory implementation and organisational change. Provide thought leadership on sustainable finance, sustainability risk, disclosures and governance, engaging with senior management, regulators and clients. Candidate requirements Deep knowledge of sustainability, sustainable finance and relevant regulatory and disclosure frameworks. Extensive leadership experience within a major financial institution, regulator, international organisation or similar environment. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead diverse teams and deliver strategic change in a complex international organisation. Position Description In this role you will lead SMBC's Social Value Creation and Sustainability activities and oversee environmental, social and governance-related regulatory compliance matters in our UK entity, SMBC Bank International plc, (SMBC BI) , in close collaboration with the Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA, to ensure an efficient and joined-up approach to sustainability across the EMEA region. Background A confluence of external forces, including an increasing focus on environmental and social sustainability by both customers and competitors, new regulations, and international efforts to avoid the worst effects of climate change, have meant that financial services firms must be on the leading edge of sustainability efforts. SMBC Group has responded through our FY26-28 Medium-Term Management Plan, which features Social value Creation as a foundational component of our Group Vision. This includes a focus on decarbonisation through SMBC’s ambition to achieve Net Zero in our financed emissions by 2050 and directing capital social value creating activities. This role will be a key player in driving the Group strategy implementation in EMEA. SMBC Group EMEA has also implemented a regional Social Value Creation strategy, with ambitions across our value chain: Our Customers: We direct capital toward businesses and projects that create social value alongside economic value, and support customers on their journey to sustainability. Own Operations: We operate in a way that reflects the value we place on the environment, human rights and reducing inequality, embedding social value creation into our business and culture. Our Communities: We make a difference for local communities by sharing our skills and resources to support initiatives aimed at reducing inequalities and improving environmental sustainability. The complex and growing businesses of SMBC and their integration require a Sustainability Strategy team that is flexible and highly skilled. They require a team that is efficient and well organised and able to define, communicate and execute its strategic goals across EMEA as part of the wider corporate strategy of SMBC. Stakeholders & Scale Internal: This role will work with a wide range of EMEA departments teams, with specific accountability for SMBC BI counterparts, including, the Risk Management Department, Compliance Department, Corporate Secretary team, Finance & Control Department, Marketing Departments; and in Tokyo the Sustainability Planning Department, the Global Banking Unit Planning Department, and the Environmental and Social Risk Management Department . The role holder will coordinate and work closely with the EMEA Head of Sustainability Strategy to ensure consistency and seamless coordination at the regional level. External: SMBC’s stakeholders, including customers, peer banks, regulators and wider society. The role will make a direct and significant contribution to executing the EMEA wide sustainability strategy with a particular focus on SMBC BI. Accountabilities and Responsibilities You would be responsible for enhancing and leading the execution of the SMBC EMEA Sustainability Strategy and Social Value Creation Framework in SMBC BI, in close coordination with the Head of Sustainability Strategy EMEA. The role holder will be required to attend relevant committees such as the Sustainability Risk Management Committee (SRMC), the EMEA Reputational Risk Committee, Social Value Management Forum, among others, and may be involved in their decision-making processes where relevant. The role holder will represent SMBC BI on sustainability initiatives when communicating with external parties including, but not limited to, regulators or clients. Examples of the responsibilities of the Head of Sustainability Strategy SMBC BI are as follows: Business Development • Co-Lead the setting of both organisational departmental KPI targets and guidelines/benchmarks for sustainable business via the SMBC EMEA Sustainable Finance Framework. • Co-Chair the Sustainable Finance Transaction Review Forum (for BI transactions or as a delegate of the EMEA Head of Sustainability Strategy), a governance forum focused on ensuring alignment of sustainable finance issuance with the SMBC EMEA Sustainable Finance Framework and avoiding greenwashing. • Advise Marketing Departments with respect to individual deals as necessary, including in respect of reputational risks or alignment with the bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework Product Enhancement • As needed, advise Marketing Departments when developing new sustainable finance products. • Work closely with the Communications teams in EMEA and Tokyo (and other regions where appropriate) on the preparation of SMBC BI marketing materials, press releases, and other stakeholder communications to enhance the bank’s reputation and avoid greenwashing claims • Ensure that SMBC’s sustainable finance offering remains aligned to the firm’s commercial strategy, carefully balancing social and economic value creation • Advise on the risk of greenwashing by reviewing products and maintaining relevant procedures. Risk Control • Communicate relevant policy and regulatory developments. appropriately within the firm. • Head of Sustainability Strategy SMBC BI will lead the Environmental and Social Due Dil