Director, Talent & Partnership Management

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Define and execute APAC's partnership strategy to support workforce capability, talent development and Data & AI transformation priorities.
• Develop and deepen strategic partnerships with government agencies, regulators, industry bodies, academic institutions, technology providers and capability partners.
• Establish partnership frameworks covering capability development, workforce initiatives, knowledge transfer and mutual value creation.
• Create and manage partnership roadmaps that strengthen workforce capabilities, talent pipelines and access to specialist expertise.
• Identify opportunities to leverage external ecosystems to accelerate capability development, workforce transformation and innovation adoption.
• Act as SMBC's representative for key workforce, capability and ecosystem partnerships, building trusted relationships across government, industry, academia and technology communities.
• Ensure partnerships deliver sustainable capability, talent and organisational outcomes.

Workforce Strategy & Capability Development

• Define workforce and capability strategies aligned to SMBC's Data & AI priorities and future workforce requirements.
• Develop workforce capability roadmaps and talent strategies to address strategic capability gaps across APAC.
• Build sustainable talent pipelines and workforce development programmes to address capability needs across Data, AI and related disciplines.
• Establish role-based capability frameworks, career pathways and development programmes across Data, AI, Data Governance, Analytics and related disciplines.
• Lead capability-building initiatives including professional certifications, mentoring, knowledge transfer and workforce development.
• Partner with Human Resources and business leaders to strengthen organisational capability and future workforce readiness.
• Advise senior management on emerging workforce trends, capability risks and future skills requirements.

Data & AI Culture, Literacy & Adoption

• Define and deliver APAC's Data & AI Culture and Capability roadmap aligned to APAC CDAO priorities and Group direction.
• Lead the design, delivery and continuous enhancement of enterprise Data & AI Literacy programmes and role-based learning pathways.
• Partner with Human Resources, learning providers and subject matter experts to strengthen organisational capabilities in Data, AI and responsible AI.
• Drive awareness, accountability and adoption of trusted Data and responsible AI practices across APAC.
• Establish Data & AI communities of practice, champion networks and engagement programmes that strengthen organisational capability and adoption.
• Champion Data- and AI-enabled ways of working that improve decision-making, productivity and business outcomes.
• Influence business and functional leaders to strengthen organisational adoption, capability maturity and a culture of continuous learning and responsible innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Capital, Organisational Development, Technology, Data & Analytics, Psychology, Education or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in workforce transformation, capability development, strategic partnerships, organisational change, learning strategy or talent development.
• Proven track record building and managing strategic partnerships across government agencies, academic institutions, industry bodies or technology ecosystems.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide workforce transformation, capability development or organisational adoption initiatives.
• Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders across business, technology, Human Resources and Data functions.
• Experience operating across regional or global organisations with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong consulting mindset with the ability to influence decision-making and drive organisational transformation.
• Financial services, technology, consulting or regulated-industry experience.
• Experience working with government agencies, workforce development organisations, universities, professional bodies or industry associations.
• Familiarity with Data, AI, analytics, Data Governance or digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience developing enterprise literacy, capability-building or organisational adoption programmes.
• Experience working across multiple APAC markets and cultures.
• Strategic partnership and ecosystem leadership.
• Workforce transformation and capability development.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and talent-building capabilities.
• Executive stakeholder management and influencing.
• Organisational change and adoption leadership.
• Strong commercial awareness and outcome orientation.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, matrixed and multi-stakeholder environments.