Financial Crime Governance Vice President

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 Working with the Financial Crime Governance Director to manage the Financial Crime (FC) Governance Framework. Key responsibilities will include:

• Be the leader for creating, providing oversight and challenge for the ongoing development, review, and implementation of Financial Crime policies, standards, and supporting procedures.
• Lead preparation and delivery of all level management reporting, including the annual MLRO Reports for UK regulated entities, as well as the submission of the annual UK Financial Crime regulatory return, coordinating inputs from relevant stakeholders and ensuring timely submission thereof.
• Continuously enhance MI and KRI frameworks to reflect regulatory expectations, business change, and emerging financial crime risks, to support effective oversight across Financial Crime.
• Coordinate, manage, and provide secretariat oversight for key Financial Crime governance forums, ensuring forums are effective, well‑governed, action‑oriented, and provide clear oversight and challenge of financial crime risks.

Business Area The role sits within the Bank’s 2nd line of defence in the Financial Crime Group of Compliance and as such is responsible for supporting the implementation of effective financial crime systems and controls. Working in partnership with Financial Crime SMEs and key stakeholders to ensure the successful deployment of a risk‑based approach.

Main interfaces/relationships The key stakeholders will be comprised of the UK Financial Crime Leadership team regional MLROs. Primary remit to support the development of the Financial Crime (FC) Governance and Control Framework and to ensure execution of key regulatory deliverables. Secondary remit to identify, assess, manage and elevate FC risks and taking a proactive approach to the identification of solutions to ensure the program remains compliant.

Key accountabilities & responsibilities

• To support the enhancement of the Financial Crime Governance and Control Framework
• Coordinate the production of materials for Financial Crime Governance and the Financial Crime Group
• Manage the preparation of annual MLRO Reports for the UK Regulated entities
• Manage the submission of the annual UK Financial Crime regulatory return
• Provide support and oversight for the timely and ongoing development of Financial Crime policies, standards, and supporting procedures
• Coordinate and manage financial crime governance forums (e.g., MLRO Forum)
• Day to day management of Financial Crime metrics, MI and KRIs
• Support and coordinate Head Office engagement

The successful candidate for this role will have:

• Demonstrable experience in Financial Crime Governance within a UK‑regulated financial services environment
• Strong understanding of UK Financial Crime regulatory expectations and MLRO reporting obligations
• Experience with the design, implementation, and maintenance of:
• Financial Crime governance frameworks
• Policies, standards, and risk appetites
• Committee structures and MI packs
• Strong ability to define and scrutinise MI for governance and oversight
• Confidence engaging with stakeholders across the Bank – including senior management
• Ability to challenge constructively, balancing regulatory rigour with commercial awareness
• Clear, persuasive communication of complex risk issues to non‑technical audiences
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce high‑quality governance and regulatory documentation.
• Ability to operate under pressure and manage competing priorities

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. 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

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.