Managing Director, Strategic Planning

SMBC India Division was established in April 2025 as one of SMBC Group’s strategic divisions that drives the formulation and execution of growth strategies in India — a rapidly expanding market. Beyond SMBC’s core banking operations, it oversees investments, enabling SMBC Group to deliver a full suite of financial services and enhance its value proposition. The Division spearheads initiatives such as establishing Global Capability Centers, serving as the central hub for long-term planning, governance, and strategic partnerships to strengthen SMBC Group’s footprint in India. This position leads the strategic planning, governance, and operation of IT for the Division, with a particular focus on strengthening the infrastructure and oversight. A key focus area includes evaluating and transforming to align with SMBC’s global system architecture and regulatory requirements. The role requires a deep understanding of SMBC’s global foundational modules and applications setup to ensure seamless integration and consistency across geographies. A critical responsibility is to leverage the Global Capability Center (GCC) to enhance SMBC’s technological and operational capabilities across both IT and non‑IT domains. Prior involvement in legal entity transformation—especially in regulated markets—is highly valued. Responsibilities Strategy & Architecture (incl. Digital Transformation) Formulate and execute the Division IT strategy aligned with SMBC’s global architecture and business goals. Drive cloud migration, data governance, and automation tailored to India’s regulatory/operational landscape. Ensure interoperability of core applications (core banking, risk, compliance, finance, data platforms). GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), Security & Resilience Ensure compliance with regulations (e.g., RBI, SEBI) and SMBC policies/standards; maintain audit readiness and drive remediation. Establish and oversee IT risk frameworks, including incident response, change management, information security, and DR/BCP. Liaise with regulators and internal audit to ensure transparency and accountability of IT operations. IT Portfolio, Delivery & Operations Approve and allocate the IT budget following the business budget. Approve, prioritize, and govern the project portfolio across selection, acquisition, development, rollout, and service transition. Define corporate plans, policies, and standards for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT applications; measure performance via SLAs/OLAs and KPIs. Ensure resilient service delivery and proactive incident/problem management; monitor trends and total cost of ownership and continuous improvement. Organization & Ecosystem (GCC, Vendors, Talent) Leverage GCC scale/expertise for development, maintenance, and innovation. Optimize resourcing and delivery via cross‑functional collaboration; promote knowledge sharing across IT and non‑IT domains. Manage vendors and technology partners; negotiate contracts and SLAs aligned with strategy and regulatory standards; pursue master agreements. Lead direct/indirect teams (incl. vendor resources); recruit, develop, and retain talent; mentor future leaders; promote diversity & inclusion. Stakeholder & Enterprise Management Report IT matters to the Head of Division and keep relevant SMBC Group site heads informed. Liaise with Tokyo Head Office, regional divisions, regulators, and internal audit to ensure transparency and alignment. Develop, track, and control annual OPEX/CAPEX; assess and communicate risks associated with IT investments. Define and monitor KPIs/KRIs; communicate progress and outcomes to executives; recommend organizational improvements or re‑engineering as needed. Expectations and Measurement Strategic Execution: Delivery of an IT roadmap aligned with business and regulatory goals; KPIs on performance, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation. Operational Excellence: High availability and resilience; proactive incident/problem management; audit readiness. Regulatory Compliance: Full adherence to local/global standards; effective engagement with RBI and relevant authorities. Vendor & Resource Management: Optimized vendor performance and cost; effective utilization of GCC and contract staff. Team Development: High performing team with clear development plans and succession readiness. Requirements 10+ years in Information Technology strategy, system planning, and governance within financial services in a global capacity Strong understanding of IT architecture and governance frameworks in a global organization Hands on experience with legal entity transformation in regulated markets. Familiarity with regional regulators (RBI, SEBI, FSA), knowledge of DR/BCP and information security controls. Proven cross functional and cross border leadership; vendor negotiation and portfolio governance. Japanese language proficiency is preferred for communication and coordination with Tokyo Head Office. #J-18808-Ljbffr