SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

 

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

 

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $154,000.00 and $235,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Business Architect to join our bank's technology strategy, transformation and innovation team. As a Business Architect, you will be responsible for aligning our business strategy with technology solutions to drive operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and achieve our strategic goals. You will collaborate with various stakeholders, including business leaders, technology teams, and external partners, to design and implement the business aligned technology strategy and related governance that support our bank's objectives.

 

This role is required to be onsite on a hybrid schedule. 

Role Objectives

1. Develop and maintain the bank's business architecture strategy:
-    Work with the business to develop and evolve the business aligned technology strategy, including digital strategy - defining the bank's business vision, objectives, and goals in alignment with technology capabilities.
-    Identify and prioritize business capabilities and processes that drive value and competitive advantage.
-    Develop and maintain business architecture frameworks, models, and roadmaps to guide technology investments and initiatives.
2. Collaborate with business, operations and technology stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technology solutions:
-    Engage with business leaders to understand their strategic objectives, challenges, and opportunities.
-    Provide strategic guidance and support to business units in analyzing and overcoming challenges to realize strategic goals and objectives, identify areas for innovation, improvement and optimization.
-    Work with business units to define business requirements and translate into clear and actionable technology solutions for strategic projects.
3. Drive digital strategy, innovation and continuous improvement:
-    Drive execution of the digital strategy aligned with the bank's overall business objectives.
-    Stay updated with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in the banking industry.
-    Partner with Innovation to identify improvement opportunities to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency with new technologies.
-    Drive the adoption of new technologies and digital solutions to transform business performance.
-    Lead digital transformation initiatives, ensuring the bank remains at the forefront of digital innovation and customer experience.
-    Establish and enforce Enterprise Architecture Governance principles and processes to ensure alignment of technology initiatives with business goals and standards.
-    Stand up and drive governance metrics to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of digital strategy implementation.
4. Collaborate with technology teams and external partners:
-    Work closely with technology teams to ensure successful implementation of business requirements and associated technology solutions in align with business goals and the overarching business aligned tech strategy.
-    Collaborate with internal and external partners and vendors to evaluate and select technology solutions that meet business needs.
-    Be the business liaison and provide strategic guidance to technology teams during system design, development and integration.
5. Support business impact assessments and risk analysis:
-    Support impact assessments of technology changes on business processes, systems, and operations.
-    Help identify and manage risks associated with technology implementations and changes.
-    Work with business and technology partners to develop mitigation strategies to minimize disruption to business operations.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

-    Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field
-    Proficiency in architecture frameworks and methodologies
-    Track record of driving digital strategy and innovation
-    Demonstrated success in leading digital transformation initiatives
-    Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
-    Experience working with diverse stakeholders
-    Skilled in supporting business impact assessments and risk management
-    Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills
-    Proactive mindset with a commitment to ongoing learning and staying updated on industry trends

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

-    Degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or related field
-    Experience as a Business Architect or similar role in banking/financial services
-    Certification in Business Architecture (e.g., Certified Business Architect)
-    Strong understanding of business operations in the banking sector
-    Experience in implementing and overseeing governance processes and principles
-    Experience in establishing and driving governance metrics
-    Familiarity with enterprise architecture tools
-    Experience in technology solution selection and vendor collaboration
-    Knowledge of emerging banking technologies and best practices
-    Experience leading cross-functional teams

SMBC’s employees participate in a hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.