STPD - FTC - Project Manager - Director - SMBC in London

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

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to play a pivotal role in Project Horizon, our global HR transformation programme that is modernising HR systems, processes and ways of working across regions. Project Horizon is a key strategic initiative designed to deliver a unified, globally harmonised HR platform and operating model across the organisation. This is a Fixed Term Contract position with an anticipated end date of July 2028.

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination and control of Project Horizon, SMBC's global HR transformation programme. The role provides the governance, controls, reporting, planning discipline, assurance and transparency required to enable successful delivery of the programme. The role is accountable for planning, coordinating and managing delivery activities across multiple workstreams, ensuring delivery remains aligned with agreed scope, timelines, budget and quality objectives.

Provides independent challenge and oversight to ensure plans are realistic, dependencies are managed, risks are understood, and senior stakeholders have the information required to make informed decisions.

The role acts as the central point of coordination for Workstream execution, working closely with Workstream Leads, Subject Matter Experts, vendors and business stakeholders to manage integrated delivery plans, governance activities, reporting, risks, issues, dependencies and change control processes.

The Project Manager supports the Programme Manager by providing robust programme controls, delivery oversight and accurate audit-ready and decision-useful management information, enabling informed decision making and successful programme outcomes.

The role owns the project control environment, including governance frameworks, integrated planning standards, executive reporting, RAID governance, change control administration, financial and resource tracking, KPI reporting, document management, audit evidence and quality assurance

The anticipated salary range for this role is £102,000- £132,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.

Position Description

Project Horizon is a global HR transformation programme established to modernise and standardise HR processes, operating models, data structures and technology platforms across SMBC's international operations.

The programme aims to deliver a globally consistent and scalable HR operating model supported by modern technology solutions, improved governance, enhanced employee and manager experience, and more effective management information and reporting capabilities.

The programme comprises multiple interconnected workstreams spanning business process transformation, organisational change management, technology implementation, data migration, testing, training, deployment and post-go-live support.

Delivery requires extensive collaboration across Human Resources and IT in HO and multiple Regions

Given the scale, complexity and strategic importance of the programme, strong project management disciplines, governance controls and delivery coordination are critical to successful implementation.

Facts/Scale

Operating Environment

Operates within a large-scale, multi-year global transformation programme.

Coordinates delivery across multiple workstreams and geographical regions.

Works with senior stakeholders including Executive Sponsors, Steering Committee members, senior HR leadership and external implementation partners.

Supports programme governance and decision-making forums.

Operates within a regulated financial services environment.

Key Stakeholders

Internal - Prog. Dir, Prog. Manager, Workstream Leads, IT PMs,

External - Consulting Partners, Technology Vendors, Third Party Service Providers

Decision Making Authority

The role has delegated authority to:

• Coordinate project delivery activities.
• Escalate risks, issues and dependencies.
• Facilitate resolution of delivery challenges.
• Recommend delivery decisions to programme leadership.
• Manage agreed project controls and governance processes.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Delivery Planning and Control

Develop, maintain and manage the integrated programme plan

Coordinate delivery activities across all workstreams

Monitor progress against milestones and critical path activities

Track project deliverables and ensure timely completion

Support recovery planning where project timelines are at risk

Governance and Reporting

Coordinate project governance meetings and forums

Prepare governance materials, reports and management information

Produce project status reports for leadership and Steering Committees

Maintain project action, decision and assumption logs

Ensure project documentation is appropriately maintained and controlled

Support internal audit and assurance activities

Risk, Issue and Dependency Management

Maintain project RAID logs and controls

Monitor and coordinate mitigation activities

Facilitate resolution of delivery issues and dependencies

Escalate significant risks and issues to programme leadership

Change Control

Manage project change control processes

Maintain project change registers

Assess impacts relating to schedule, scope, resources and delivery

Support evaluation and documentation of change requests

Coordinate approval and implementation activities

Resource and Vendor Coordination

Monitor resource utilisation across workstreams

Identify resource constraints and delivery impacts

Coordinate delivery activities involving external partners and vendors

Track vendor deliverables and commitments

Support mobilisation and onboarding activities

Stakeholder Engagement

Establish effective working relationships across project stakeholders

Support communication and coordination between workstreams

Facilitate workshops, planning sessions and delivery reviews

Readiness, Deployment and Implementation

Coordinate readiness and deployment planning activities

Support implementation and cutover preparation

Monitor readiness criteria and deployment milestones

Coordinate transition activities into operational support teams

Support post-implementation stabilisation activities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge

Strong understanding of programme and project management methodologies.

Knowledge of governance, risk and control frameworks.

Understanding of change management and transformation delivery approaches.

Knowledge of programme budgeting, planning and reporting disciplines.

Understanding of operating within a regulated financial services environment.

Skills

Excellent project and programme planning skills.

Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.

Advanced organisational and coordination skills.

Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

Strong facilitation and workshop management skills.

High attention to detail and strong quality focus.

Experience

Essential

Significant experience managing large-scale transformation programmes or projects.

Experience coordinating multiple workstreams within complex organisational environments.

Experience establishing and operating programme governance frameworks.

Experience managing programme reporting, RAID processes and change control activities.

Experience working with senior stakeholders and executive governance forums.

Experience managing third-party vendors and consulting partners

Desirable

Experience of HR transformation programmes.

Experience of global operating model transformation.

Experience of HR technology implementation programmes, including SAP SuccessFactors

Experience within banking, financial services or other regulated industries.

Experience working across international and multi-cultural teams.

Qualifications

Essential

Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

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

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!!

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.

We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities.

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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