Equipment Leasing Assistant Vice President

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term

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.

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.

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA?

We're looking for curious, motivated people who want to build a career in aviation finance and credit risk - no need to arrive as an expert, just bring the ambition and drive to grow.

• Support the preparation and review of annual credit assessments and new-business proposals, working closely with Front Office teams to develop well-reasoned recommendations for senior credit approvers.
• Operate as part of the second line of defence, providing independent credit-risk oversight across new transactions and ongoing portfolio management within designated aviation sectors, including commercial aircraft, engines, and helicopter leasing.
• Contribute to effective portfolio and client-relationship management, assisting in the monitoring of exposures, risk trends, and performance across the global aviation credit portfolio.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• A degree or relevant professional qualifications (e.g. ACA, ACCA, ACT, CFA) or a strong interest in developing a career in the aviation or financial sectors.
• Experience in credit, risk, finance, or analytical roles (around 2+ years is ideal), gained in an international bank, financial institution, or aviation leasing environment.
• A developing understanding of financial products, such as corporate lending, leasing, derivatives, capital markets, or asset finance.

The anticipated salary range for this role is £66,000.00-£99,000.00 , with the final offer determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.

Assist in managing a globally diversified leasing portfolio of commercial aircraft, aircraft engines, and helicopter assets, providing credit oversight across an international customer base within a Japanese-owned financial institution.

• You'll report to a Director and work as part of a specialist team of asset-finance and credit-risk professionals, collaborating with colleagues who bring deep expertise across the aviation industry.
• You'll support the lead analyst on both existing portfolio accounts and new transactions, helping to build and maintain strong working relationships with Front Office credit teams and other key stakeholders.
• You'll play an active role in managing credit exposures across the aviation portfolio
  , contributing to the full lifecycle of credit work - from reviewing applications and navigating the approval process to monitoring emerging risks and supporting responses to key risk events.
• As part of the wider team, you'll help ensure all portfolio-management responsibilities are completed on time, with risks identified, assessed, and escalated appropriately.
• The team structure includes a General Manager, Executive Director, Directors, Vice Presidents, and Assistant Vice Presidents
  , giving you exposure to senior leadership and a clear sense of progression within a global financial institution.

• Support robust credit-risk assessment across a diversified portfolio of leased aviation assets, including commercial aircraft, engines, and helicopters, spanning multiple…