Analytics Governance Director

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 Analytics Governance Director is a key new role in the Data Analytics Function, one of five functions within the EMEA Data Office.

One of our key transformation initiatives is a multi-year programme to ensure compliance with Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's Standard #239 (BCBS239 - Principles for effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting). This global program of work covers several Technology and Data Workstreams and is particularly important to SMBC EMEA which is expected to be subject to ECB Onboarding from FY27 onwards.

In support of these significant strategic programs, this role will lead the building out of our Analytics Governance Capability across all EMEA departments, covering all EMEA entities including Securities and Banking subsidiaries. This will require them to establish, oversee and embed new frameworks, policies, and standards for the governance of reporting and analytics. 

We're looking for someone who has previous experience of leading data transformation initiatives that have delivered lasting change. The position requires a combination of strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement and delivery governance across project and BAU. The candidate must be willing to challenge the status quo in an empathic manner, while helping the wider Data Office to have an ethos of openness and transparency that will help us nurture real business innovation. Someone with a proven track record demonstrating measurable business impact who can thrive in ambiguous situations.

If you want to make a real difference, and not just in one team but across the entire bank, we would love to speak to you more.

Background

The Data Analytics Function is one of five ‘pillars’ within the EMEA Data Office which is part of the Operations Planning Department (OPPD). We have a remit covering all EMEA entities (including Securities and Banking subsidiaries) and all datasets. The Data Office is responsible for defining and implementing the EMEA Data Strategy, building out its data management capabilities, and focusing on how to exploit data more effectively and innovatively across SMBC. 

As part of this work, the EMEA Data Office has established a new framework which encompasses cultural, behavioural, procedural, and system transformation to deliver the new strategy. This framework has initially concentrated on good governance by improved Data Architecture, Data Management and Data Quality, but is now starting to focus more on how to use Data to drive new ways of working and improved business outcomes.

The Data Office has been established to drive data-led transformation through the bank, and this is a terrific opportunity to join us on this exciting journey.

Role Context

The EMEA Data Office has been established for just three years, the department has seen rapid growth and is currently 100+ people and is expected to grow further over the next year. 

The Data Analytics Function within the EMEA Data Office has built rapidly over the last year and currently stands at 39 people, a mixture of permanent, contractor and consultant roles. The function is expected to grow further over the next couple of years.

This role would have responsibility for managing a team of around 10-15 roles, a mixture of permanent, contractor and consultant roles. They would also be expected to matrix manage roles in other teams.

This is a greenfield opportunity where capability needs will be built from scratch. There is limited understanding of the opportunities from new data and analytics capabilities, and therefore excellent stakeholder engagement and partnering skills are essential

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and roll-out of the new frameworks, policies, standards and procedures for the governance of reporting and analytics.
• Oversee the embedding of the new frameworks, policies, standards and procedures for the governance of reporting and analytics across all EMEA departments.
• Establish a program of training, support and stakeholder communications to enable organisational adoption of the frameworks, policies, standards and procedures.
• Lead the delivery of a pipeline of Analytics Governance initiatives, ensuring quality, traceability to requirements and adherence to project plans.
• Be the primary contact point for key stakeholders in relation to Analytics Governance – ensuring the team communicate progress, managing expectations, and navigating complex corporate environments.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and issue resolution for Analytics Governance – acting as the senior escalation point for the team’s portfolio of products, services and projects.
• Lead, develop, and mentor individuals to build a high-performing team – establishing their role as a bridge between data, technical and business teams.
• Build collaborative working relationships with other SMBC regions as part of our strategic globalisation goals.
• Build productive relationships with the wider Data Teams, Technology Teams and Business Departments to support effective delivery of project and BAU activities.
• Leading request for proposals (RFP) and assessing responses as well as defining commercial terms (Statements of Work) for work pertaining to for Analytics Governance. Managing suppliers and overseeing their delivery against their contracts and agreed milestones.
• Managing delivery and performance across contractors and consultants - setting clear objectives, maintaining tight scope control, and actively managing the engagement.
• Defining and reporting on key metrics to track the success of the Analytics Governance Team and communicate value realisation.
• Support the implementation of the EMEA Data Strategy.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Experience of establishing Data, Reporting, Analytics or End User Computer (EUC)) Governance.
• Experience establishing governance frameworks supporting BCBS239 principles, experience of European Central Bank (ECB) onboarding would be a plus.
• Experience of working in the financial services industry and knowledge of data related regulatory requirements for the financial service sector.
• Proven experience of leading enterprise change initiatives that have successfully delivered impact and achieved organisational adoption.
• Proven leadership ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross‑functional collaboration in complex, matrix organisations.
• Proven experience managing risks, dependencies, and issue resolution across a complex portfolio of project and BAU initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience managing, developing, and mentoring high-performance teams.
• Credible experience implementing agile, hybrid, or scaled delivery frameworks.
• Experience leading proposals/RFP responses and defining commercial terms (Statements of Work).
• Experience managing vendor relationships and overseeing their performance.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills. Able to communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent problem solving and decision making.
• Deep understanding of the governance frameworks and best practice in relations to Data, Analytics and AI.
• A good grasp of Data Analytics technologies and techniques and a good understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and development best practices as relevant to analytics and reporting.
• A good understanding of information management and information security principles as relevant to analytics and reporting.

Desirable: 

• Experience in using and configuring cataloguing tools, such as Collibra and/or Apparity.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and issues within the Data Analytics and Data Science landscapes.
• Experience with AI project delivery and Analytics Governance considerations relevant to this – e.g. ethics, bias

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!