Director, Data Capability & Enablement

Responsibilities

Data Capability & Organisational Enablement

• Define APAC’s data capability strategy aligned with DMO priorities, business requirements and the future-state operating model.
• Develop strategic capability roadmaps to address priority gaps across Data Management, Data Governance, Data Quality, Analytics and Data Platforms.
• Establish role-based capability frameworks, proficiency expectations and maturity measures across priority data disciplines.
• Strengthen specialist data capabilities and talent pipelines through targeted professional development, accreditation, knowledge transfer and access to subject-matter expertise.
• Partner with Human Resources and business leaders to translate future data capability requirements into workforce development and organisational readiness priorities.
• Advise senior management on critical data capability gaps, emerging practices, workforce risks and investment priorities.

Data Culture, Literacy & Adoption

• Define and deliver APAC’s Data Culture, Literacy and Adoption roadmap, aligned with CDAO priorities and relevant Group direction.
• Lead enterprise data literacy and role-based enablement initiatives that strengthen practical data proficiency.
• Promote data accountability, trusted data practices and data-driven decision-making across APAC.
• Establish communities of practice, champion networks and knowledge-sharing mechanisms that support sustained capability and adoption.
• Develop and track measures covering capability maturity, behavioural adoption, business application and realised value.

Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Define and execute APAC’s partnership strategy to advance data capability, specialist talent development and broader data transformation priorities.
• Build and leverage strategic relationships and external ecosystems across government, regulators, industry, academia and capability partners to access specialist expertise, accelerate knowledge exchange and unlock new capability opportunities.
• Establish the strategic objectives, governance and success measures for key partnerships, ensuring clear accountabilities and demonstrable value.
• Represent SMBC in key external engagements, strengthening strategic relationships and positioning the Bank within the broader data ecosystem. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in Business, Technology, Computer Science, Data & Analytics, Engineering, Information Systems or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10–15 years of relevant experience in data transformation, data capability strategy, organisational enablement or enterprise data adoption, including leadership responsibility within a complex regional or global organisation.
• Demonstrated experience operating within, or in close partnership with, a Data, Analytics or Technology function, with sufficient data-domain knowledge to shape credible capability and adoption priorities.
• Strong working knowledge of Data Management, Data Governance, Data Quality, Analytics and Data Platforms.
• Demonstrated experience translating data strategy, operating-model requirements and capability gaps into practical capability and adoption interventions.
• Proven experience leading enterprise data capability, literacy, enablement or adoption programmes with measurable outcomes.
• Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders across business, technology, risk and data functions.
• Ability to establish effective governance, develop integrated roadmaps and deliver outcomes through a complex, matrixed organisation.
• Strong consulting and advisory capabilities, with the ability to translate strategic priorities into practical interventions and measurable outcomes.
• Financial services, technology, consulting or another regulated industry.
• Experience working across multiple APAC markets and cultures.
• Experience engaging government agencies, regulators, industry associations, academic institutions or professional ecosystems.
• Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships and outcome-based programmes.
• Experience managing programme budgets, external partners and commercial arrangements.
• Strategic data capability leadership
• Executive stakeholder management and influence
• Organisational enablement and adoption leadership
• Strong consulting and advisory orientation
• Partnership development and external representation
• Commercial judgement and outcome orientation
• Ability to lead across organisational and functional boundaries
• Strong communication and thought leadership