Head of Public and Media Relations

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.

SMBC is one of the biggest banks in the world, headquartered in Japan and with global presence. Our universal banking platform in EMEA has a 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 and investment banking products and solutions to our customers as well as a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.

The Head of Public & Media Relations, EMEA, will lead SMBC’s external reputation across the region, combining strategic public relations with high-impact media relations to shape how the organisation is perceived by the market, clients, partners, and the press. This senior role is central to positioning SMBC as a trusted, influential, and forward-looking institution in EMEA, and offers the opportunity to define a cohesive, insight-driven external communications strategy.

The successful candidate will oversee corporate storytelling, narrative development, media engagement, reputation management, spokesperson positioning, and strategic messaging across all external channels. They will build and execute an integrated public and media relations programme that enhances SMBC’s visibility, supports business growth, and ensures clear alignment with global communications priorities.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver SMBC EMEA’s media relations strategy, raising the bank’s profile across priority outlets and building strong, proactive relationships with senior stakeholders and key journalists.
• Develop and maintain clear, consistent messaging that reflects business priorities and ensures alignment across all external communication channels.
• Manage the relationship with SMBC’s external PR agency, overseeing day-to-day media activity, press office support and issues management.
• Oversee and regularly update the EMEA crisis communications plan, participating in training and ensuring full readiness for effective media response during high-pressure situations.
• Lead the production of annual reports for SMBC EMEA entities, coordinating inputs from the company secretary team, finance, and external design partners.
• Strengthen and protect SMBC’s brand and visual identity across EMEA, ensuring alignment with global guidelines and consistent application in all media-facing materials.
• Partner with business teams to develop high-quality, branded templates and client-ready materials that support a professional, unified external presence.
• Provide oversight of SMBC’s EMEA website, ensuring content accuracy, media relevance, strong user experience, and alignment with global standards.
• Lead and develop a small external communications team covering media relations, digital channels, and brand governance, fostering high performance and collaboration.
• Work closely with internal communications to deliver seamless, coordinated output and an “agency-style” project approach across functions.
• Build strong relationships with regional communications teams and HQ in Tokyo, ensuring alignment of messaging, announcements and media strategy across all markets.

Key outputs for the role

• Leading the development and execution of an impactful media strategy that strengthens SMBC’s profile and reputation across EMEA.
• This includes managing proactive and reactive media engagement, securing high-quality coverage, elevating senior spokespeople, and shaping clear, consistent messaging aligned with business priorities.
• You will oversee the creation of media materials such as press releases, briefing documents, Q&As, and thought-leadership content, ensuring strong storytelling and alignment with SMBC’s global narrative.
• You will also collaborate closely with regional teams to coordinate announcements, manage reputational issues, and maintain high standards of media governance.
• You will also play a key role in guiding the use of SMBC’s digital channels - such as LinkedIn and the EMEA website - to support media moments, amplify visibility, and reinforce the bank’s strategic positioning in the market.

Skills and experience

• Proven depth of experience in public relations or corporate communications, ideally within banking or financial services and with exposure to global or highly matrixed organisations.
• Proven ability to design and implement robust media relations programmes that support corporate brand positioning and business objectives, including the ability to craft clear, compelling messaging.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with experience producing high-quality media materials such as press releases, briefing documents, speeches, scripts, Q&As, and thought leadership.
• Demonstrated success in building strong relationships across a complex organisation, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives.
• Active network of media contacts across financial, business, and trade press, and a track record of securing strategic coverage.
• Trusted adviser to senior leadership, with expertise in providing counsel on media strategy, issues management, and reputational considerations.
• Strategic thinker with excellent judgment, able to operate effectively under pressure and navigate fast-moving or sensitive situations.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, collaborating cross-functionally and driving initiatives through to completion in a deadline-driven environment.
• Experienced team leader, capable of motivating, developing, and supporting a high-performing team.

Business area

The STPD Communications team has grown significantly since its creation in 2019, evolving into a highly respected, high-performing function with a broad and increasingly strategic remit. As demand for sophisticated communications support continues to rise - particularly around business strategy and reputation building - the team is entering an exciting phase of influence within the organisation. In this role, you will act as a key communications lead across a wide range of product areas and projects, working closely with senior stakeholders to shape narratives, guide decision-making, and deliver impactful campaigns. You will also provide senior-level support and coverage for the Head of Communications and CSR, EMEA - stepping into leadership responsibilities and help drive the next stage of the team’s ambition.

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. As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings.

• 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.

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.