GTBD - Transaction Banking Director

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. We provide a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions, including investment banking and global capital market services.

We are looking for a Director for our Global Transaction Banking Department to lead SMBC’s EMEA payments strategy and execution.

Define and deliver SMBC’s payments product vision within Transaction Banking, driving innovation, client adoption and revenue growth while ensuring operational resilience, regulatory compliance and robust governance.

Build best‑in‑class offerings by leveraging deep knowledge of the payments ecosystem, emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain and market trends; manage end‑to‑end product lifecycle, success metrics and risk controls to meet evolving client needs.

• GTBD is in charge of Transaction Banking Business in EMEA, providing an integrated suite of cash management services to corporate and institutional clients.
• Key products include the interactive online banking channel "E‑Moneyger®", Host‑to‑Host and SWIFT connectivity, and regional and domestic Cash Pooling.
• The role focuses on driving projects that enable the growth of transaction banking, customer reach, deposit volumes and profit.

• Approximately 30 members in GTBD EMEA (including Planning, Sales, and Product Development) with significant growth expected.
• The role is critical to shaping the future of payments, leveraging digital transformation, ISO 20022 migration and emerging technologies.

• Lead the development and execution of SMBC’s EMEA payments product strategy, driving innovation and revenue growth.
• Formulate and deliver payments strategy as EMEA Head of Payments within Transaction Banking.
• Bring deep knowledge of the payments ecosystem, regulatory matters, competitive positioning, and emerging market developments.
• Develop product strategy and vision, set the product agenda, and collaborate with senior stakeholders across EMEA.
• Build frameworks to track key success metrics such as cost, feature, functionality, risk profile and reliability.

• Develop product strategy for corporate and institutional clients and implement it in collaboration with sales, coverage, treasury, technology and operations.
• Drive innovation in digital payments, real‑time processing, and data‑driven solutions.
• Manage revenue, control costs and optimise pricing performance.
• Provide SME expertise on specific products and services to customers and colleagues.
• Identify market trends, new features, regulatory requirements and potential risks; analyse data to support product development and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Assist in developing marketing materials for the product such as presentations and online content.
• Participate in training sessions and workshops to share product knowledge and expertise.
• Promote the bank’s profile externally through industry engagement and thought leadership.
• Lead control and risk environment, driving the risk, legal, compliance and audit agenda.
• Build and nurture a successful team.

• 10+ years of experience or equivalent expertise in payments product management or a relevant domain.
• Deep expertise in payments and transaction banking.
• Strong understanding of regulatory landscape and digital transformation.
• Proven leadership in product strategy and execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing and mentoring a high‑performing product team.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed, complex organization.
• Understanding of international payment rails, including Swift, SEPA Instant, Faster Payments and Open Banking.

• Customer Focus
• Driving Change
• Driving Results
• Embraces Diversity
• Enterprise Leadership
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Risk Management
• Strategic and Visionary
• Trust and Integrity

• Hybrid and flexible working
• C…