Business Continuity Planning Manager, AVP

SMBC Group is a global financial services group, operating in 40 countries with over 400 years of history and ambitions to continue to grow and evolve our business in the EMEA region.

Purpose of Job

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Real Estates services, the Business Continuity Planning Manager is responsible for support in delivering the business continuity programme across SMBC EMEA. This role requires a significant understanding of business continuity planning methodologies and support of critical business operations. Ensure consistency in maintaining and improving the business continuity plans to enhance resilience and protect SMBC group brand and reputation.

Background

SMBC Group EMEA Division places great importance on reducing and eliminating potential risks and vulnerabilities that may result from threats or interruptions to daily operations. Proactive measures must be initiated to ensure personnel safety, protection of assets and plans are in place to enhance resilience of essential activities and services, while reducing losses and maintaining compliance with internal/external regulations. The Business Continuity Management function establishes a framework to address business continuity and resilience to minimise the impacts, losses and exposures for agreed business critical activities following an incident or disruptive event. Having a strong business continuity capability demonstrates to our customers, our regulators and the industry that we are a resilient organisation that proactively seeks to identify threats and mitigate the impacts of any disruptions that could be caused. This varies widely from scenarios such as office evacuations to system interruptions and cyber threats.

Facts / Scale

There are a total of 19 offices across the EMEA region and around 4000 SMBC group employees. The role will require regular interaction with business continuity coordinators for each branch and may require engagement with senior stakeholders (e.g., COO, CFO, Crises management group GM Operations, and Heads of Branch); department representatives.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Business Leadership on significant projects that affect SMBC Group resiliency of critical business processes.
• Responsible for supporting the administration of SMBC Group business continuity program, including:

• Ensure that Business Continuity program components (Business Impact Analysis, Risk Assessments, plans, strategies, etc.) are current, effective, and address SMBC Group business requirements.
• Produce and maintain business continuity plans for the London and EMEA branches.
• Develop schedules and materials for Business Continuity training/awareness activities to ensure that business continuity coordinators are trained and proficient in implementing the business continuity plans.
• Coordinate business continuity testing and recovery exercises (Walk-throughs, Recovery Center, Remote, etc).
• Administer and manage content on the Business Continuity SharePoint and Intranet sites.
• Continuously improve the BC function in EMEA and play a role globally in the enhancement of the Group’s BCP function.
• Manage emergency communications with employees, administer emergency communications tools such as Everbridge.
• Ensure that new acquisitions are integrated into SMBC group business continuity management program.
• Support business continuity related initiatives, to include site selection, strategy development, in-house training.
• Engage with Incident and Crisis Management team to invoke business continuity plans as necessary.
• Continuously improve the BC function in EMEA and play a leading role globally in the enhancement of the Group’s BCP function.
• Ensure the Bank’s BCM planning, and approach remains fully aligned with changing regulations.
• Play a role in the development of the Bank’s organisational resilience.
• Other activities as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge or experience in business continuity management- commensurate with 3-5 years of experience.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and coordination skills with the ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines and on varying agenda simultaneously flexing priorities when necessary.
• Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability to manage challenging situations effectively as they arise.
• Sound understanding of the business continuity process, methodologies, and industry standards.
• An understanding of Information Technology concepts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint, etc.).
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Must be able to interact and work efficiently and effectively with employees across the organization.
• Strong administrative skills, including effectiveness in developing project plans to achieve target dates.
• Must be a productive team player and must also be comfortable working independently, with little direct supervision.

DESIRABLE

• Undergraduate degree.
• Professional Designation – Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP, MBCI, etc.).
• Prior business continuity experience at a large organization or business continuity consulting experience.
• Experience in managing disruptive events (significant, multi-site incidents would be a strong plus).

Challenges

Maintaining consistency of standards within a diverse team across the departments and offices in the EMEA region to ensure continuity of the services.