AVP, Business Analyst, Strategic Transformation Office

Responsibilities

Strategic Transformation and Business Advisory

• Partner with senior executives and business leaders to define strategic objectives, identify transformation opportunities, and develop executable roadmaps aligned to SMBC's corporate and regional priorities.
• Lead business analysis efforts across large-scale strategic, regulatory, digital, and operational transformation programmes.
• Evaluate current-state business models, processes, organizational structures, and operating frameworks to identify opportunities for optimization, standardization, and automation.
• Develop future-state operating models, business capabilities, and target processes that support long-term business growth and operational excellence.
• Facilitate strategic discussions and provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support executive decision-making.

Stakeholder Management and Executive Engagement

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Front Office, Middle Office, Operations, Technology, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and other support functions.
• Act as a key advisor and thought partner to programme sponsors, senior management, and executive committees.
• Lead workshops, executive forums, and cross-functional working groups to drive alignment, consensus, and successful delivery outcomes.
• Effectively communicate complex issues, risks, dependencies, and recommendations to executive audiences.
• Influence decision-making across multiple stakeholder groups while balancing competing business priorities.

Business Analysis and Solution Design

• Lead requirements management for complex transformation initiatives involving multiple jurisdictions, business units, and technology platforms.
• Translate strategic objectives into business requirements, functional specifications, user stories, and operating model recommendations.
• Evaluate solution alternatives and provide recommendations based on business value, implementation feasibility, risk considerations, and strategic alignment.
• Work closely with project managers, technology teams, and subject matter experts to ensure solutions meet business objectives and deliver sustainable benefits.
• Maintain traceability between strategic goals, business requirements, solution design, and implementation outcomes.

Process Improvement and Operating Model Transformation

• Analyze end-to-end business processes and client journeys to identify improvement opportunities that enhance efficiency, controls, client experience, and scalability.
• Design and implement process improvements leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, Agile, Design Thinking, and other transformation methodologies.
• Support the development and implementation of target operating models across business and support functions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the Bank's broader operational excellence agenda.

Data Analytics and Strategic Insights

• Utilize data analysis, visualization, and business intelligence tools to identify trends, uncover insights, and support strategic decision-making.
• Develop executive dashboards, performance metrics, and management reporting frameworks to track programme outcomes and business benefits.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess business impacts, investment opportunities, and transformation priorities.
• Support the adoption of data-driven decision-making across transformation programmes.

Governance, Risk and Change Management

• Support programme governance through structured reporting, issue management, risk assessment, and benefits tracking.
• Ensure business requirements and transformation initiatives align with regulatory obligations, internal policies, and risk management frameworks.
• Proactively identify implementation risks, dependencies, and organizational impacts, recommending mitigation strategies where necessary.
• Support change management activities, including stakeholder engagement, communication planning, training, and business readiness assessments.
• Contribute to post-implementation reviews and benefits realization activities to ensure intended business outcomes are achieved.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Banking & Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience within financial services, management consulting, strategic transformation, or programme delivery environments.
• MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent advanced qualification preferred.
• Professional certifications in Business Analysis, Project Management (PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2), Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, or related disciplines are highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of corporate and institutional banking products, operating models, risk management frameworks, and regulatory environments.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation, digitalization, regulatory, operating model, or process re-engineering initiatives within banking or financial services organizations.
• Deep understanding of corporate banking businesses, products, client journeys, and supporting operational processes.
• Proven experience partnering with senior executives, management committees, and programme sponsors to shape strategy, build consensus, and drive execution.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives involving business, operations, technology, risk, compliance, finance, and external stakeholders.
• Strong track record in operating model design, business process optimization, business case development, and benefits realization.
• Experience representing regional priorities and requirements within global programmes and governance forums.
• Experience working within a top-tier management consulting firm, strategic transformation office, or enterprise change function is highly advantageous.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect transformational initiatives to broader business objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Executive presence with the confidence and credibility to engage senior leaders and influence complex decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to simplify ambiguity and develop practical solutions.
• Proven ability to build consensus, challenge constructively, and lead across matrixed organizations.
• Highly collaborative leader with exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of the drivers of growth, efficiency, risk, and client experience within financial services.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrated commitment to execution excellence and value realization.
• Resilient, adaptable, and capable of operating effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.