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- Tasks: Lead the Product Control function for derivatives, ensuring robust control frameworks and operational efficiency.
- Company: Join SMBC Group, a trusted partner in corporate finance with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture with strong career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic market while enhancing your skills in finance.
- Qualifications: 10 years of experience in Product Control or Investment Banking required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
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
This is a newly established role to lead the Product Control function for derivative products within EMEA Finance, with a focus on valuations, XVA, and booking models. The role is instrumental in defining and executing the Product Control strategy through a Centre of Excellence model, embedding a robust end‑to‑end control framework to support the region's expanding derivatives capabilities. It ensures alignment with industry best practices and regulatory expectations, while maintaining a strong governance structure. The role also drives operational efficiency and consistency in control standards across Sales & Trading businesses. It supports the implementation of new derivative products, ensuring accurate valuation and booking practices, and contributes to the continuous enhancement of control processes. The specialist will act as a key liaison between Finance, Risk, and Front Office teams, ensuring that SMBC remains agile and compliant in a dynamic market environment.
Business Area
The EMEA region comprises a number of SMBC branches, and separate legal entities based in London and Frankfurt. This is a role within the Product Control team and has responsibility for EMEA‑wide collaboration. As the Sales & Trading businesses in the region expand, there is a requirement to grow the Product Control capability within the team to support the Bank's control environment.
Key Stakeholders
- Chief Financial Officer & Head of Finance
- Head of Financial Control
- Front Office / Functional leads
- EMEA Finance team colleagues
Position Description
Main interfaces/relationships: Front‑office departments, Finance, Risk, Operations and Planning areas across the EMEA region. Subject matter expert on product control of derivative products, including valuation, PnL explain, IPV and reserves methodologies and XVA. Oversee the Product Control involvement in regional New Product reviews, ensuring consistency and quality of reviews and appropriate control and testing discipline. Assessment of current state capability and defining a strategic and sustainable operating model to support a scaling business. Creation of roadmap and project management to support delivery. Proactive horizon scanning for the Product Control area including governance updates. Ad‑hoc support to key projects with significant accounting/product involvement. Develop strong cross‑functional relationships and maintain a robust network across Finance and Front Office teams, confidently engaging with stakeholders to understand and respond to evolving business requirements. Ability to design, implement, and embed control processes into core business activities, ensuring they are sustainable and integrated into business‑as‑usual operations. Share relevant knowledge proactively across EMEA teams, including insights from horizon scanning and industry best practices related to Product Control. Take ownership of evolving the operating model for Product Control - aligning with strategic direction of Sales and Trading business areas. Assess systems capability and collaborate with Change and IT colleagues in addressing areas for enhancement. Drive core financial control principles in Product Control and standardise outputs across business lines. Identify areas for greater alignment across the EMEA region and collaborate with other parts of the SMBC Group to leverage systems and best practice. Drive process efficiency within the team, identify opportunities for automation and system enhancements and drive delivery.
Relevant Skills & Experience
- Strong technical accounting and Product Control knowledge and ability (c10 years of relevant experience in Product Control / Investment Banking)
- Deep understanding of range of Investment Banking Products with focus on derivatives
- Impactful presentation of complex issues
- Ability to clearly articulate risks and benefits of different approaches, and contribute to generating outcomes that are commercial with strong controls
- Ability to pro‑actively work through problems and engage others as required
- Able to work with and build effective relationships with a range of business functions
Management skills
- Teamwork: Positively support team to achieve goals
- Control: Able to identify key risks and control activities in Banking environment
- Training: Respect the various skills and experiences and give appropriate guidance individually
Leadership skills
- Vision: Show clear vision to lead the group and Finance team as well.
- Diversity: Respect individual values, and generate new ideas by the different set of values
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‑being 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.
- 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
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.
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.
Product Control (Derivatives) Director employer: SMBC Bank International plc
Contact Detail:
SMBC Bank International plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Control (Derivatives) Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those already at SMBC. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into derivatives and product control. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss how you can drive operational efficiency and enhance control processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. SMBC values strong leadership, so let them see your vision and ability to drive change.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the SMBC family.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Control (Derivatives) Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Control role. Highlight your experience with derivatives, valuations, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your understanding of the banking environment and your ability to drive change.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires strong technical accounting knowledge, make sure to highlight your expertise in product control and investment banking. We love seeing candidates who can clearly articulate complex issues and present them effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at SMBC!
How to prepare for a job interview at SMBC Bank International plc
✨Know Your Derivatives Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of derivative products, including valuation methods and XVA. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but can also engage in deeper conversations about product control.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current regulatory expectations surrounding derivatives and product control. This will help you demonstrate your awareness of compliance issues and how they impact the business, which is crucial for the role.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
If possible, try to connect with current employees or stakeholders in the EMEA Finance team before your interview. This can give you insights into the company culture and specific challenges they face, allowing you to tailor your responses during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to product control. Practise articulating your thought process clearly, as this will showcase your analytical skills and ability to work through complex issues effectively.