AI and Automation Change Lead - Executive Director in London

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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.

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.

Role Summary

We're looking for an AI and Automation Lead (Executive Director) to join our team. Your role will be to drive transformation in SMBC by identifying opportunities and leading the delivery of AI and automation capabilities across our business. This exciting role is pivotal in shaping and executing strategic AI and automation initiatives that enhance customer delivery, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. You will bring deep programme management expertise, a strong understanding of banking use cases, the ability to manage complex stakeholder environments in addition to proven experience delivering AI enabled capabilities in Financial Services.

Business Area

The Transformation and Change Management Group (TCMG) provides the SMBC enterprise professional programme management resource and expertise to the organisation. The Group sits within the Operations Planning Department. The AI and Automation Lead will work with colleagues across TCMG to identify opportunities and deliver change collaborating closely with experts in Technology and Data teams to build AI capability across SMBC.

Position Description

• Translate strategy into actionable change initiatives across multiple workstreams, agreeing prioritisation and approach to identifying opportunities to leverage AI and automation to achieve business strategies.
• Partner with technology teams to deliver AI capabilities, ensuring business relevance and regulatory compliance.
• Drive adoption of AI solutions across customer-facing and operational functions.
• Lead enterprise-wide AI enabled transformation programmes, ensuring alignment with strategic business goals.
• Manage stakeholder engagement across executive, operational, and technical levels.
• Oversee programme governance, risk management, and reporting.
• Identify and mitigate change resistance, ensuring smooth transitions and sustainable adoption.
• Build AI literacy, establish and leverage communities to drive effective AI enabled change.
• Collaborate with data, analytics, and innovation teams to shape AI use cases and delivery models.
• Lead team, managing performance, motivation, development and retention.

Experience requirements

• Proven track record of delivering AI-enabled transformation programmes within financial services.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, customer delivery models, and regulatory landscape.
• Conversant in AI and emerging technologies (e.g., machine learning, NLP, automation, Gen-AI, Agentic AI) - no coding required.
• Extensive experience in programme and change management, including managing multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior executive levels.
• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic approach to delivery and change.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills.

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.

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.