Vice President, TB Product Designer and Strategy Planning, GTPD

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced TB Product Designer and Strategy Planner to accelerate our transaction banking development.

Transaction Banking is one of the strategic priorities for SMBC Group and hence strengthen the expertise in TB domain to accelerate the growth of our business.

This role will be part of product development Team and will help shape and define the TB Product design, development & delivery and make/implement the TB product strategy to ensure alignment with business goals and customer needs.

1. Product Design, Delivery & Improvement

• Define product requirements in terms of capabilities & maturity across APAC market, Japan and global based on business value and strategy.   
• Design end-to-end customer journeys and front-to-back processes to ensure a seamless client experience.
• Develop testing strategies (including user scenarios, UAT, and migration planning) and partner closely with IT and delivery teams to ensure timely, high-quality implementation.
• Lead agile ceremonies (backlog grooming, sprint planning, reviews), define sprint priorities aligned to the roadmap, and ensure deliverables meet quality and business outcomes. Proactively communicate progress, risks, and feedback to maintain alignment.
• Analyze market trends, client behavior, and competitor offerings to drive continuous enhancements and improve client experience and efficiency.

2. Backlog & Requirements Management

• Own and prioritize multiple backlogs (Product, BAU, Defects) .
• Create and refine user stories with clear acceptance criteria, and review requirements to ensure readiness and alignment with product goals.

3. Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key interface between business, clients, and technology teams.

4. Run the Bank & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee Run the Bank activities including product maintenance, commercialization, and regulatory compliance, ensuring stability and operational excellence.

5. Strategy, Planning & Business Management

• Support development and tracking of KPIs aligned with transaction banking strategy.
• Assist in execution of strategic initiatives to drive growth and transformation.
• Prepare management reports for Head Office and Regional Office requirements.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to strengthen governance and operating models.
• Contribute to budget planning and cost management.
• Support operational efficiency across transformation, analytics, and business functions.

6. TB Operational Excellence & Transformation:

• Drive initiatives to enhance processes through re-engineering, digitization, and automation, improving speed, efficiency, and overall client experience.
• Promote the adoption of workflow tools, standardized processes, and data-driven practices to optimize productivity and reduce cost-to-serve.

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of business domains such as Cash Management, Trade Finance, Lending, and Treasury, including payment landscapes across APAC and Japan.
• Solid understanding of technology, with the ability to assess solution alignment with business requirements and critically evaluate effort estimates based on task complexity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative mindset.
• Proven ability to prioritize effectively and manage multiple competing demands.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Highly organized with effective time management skills.
• Business fluency in both English and Japanese is essential, as this role requires the ability to write and communicate effectively with our Tokyo office
• Experience with product management tools such as Jira, Trello, or Azure DevOps.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate across teams, motivate stakeholders, work across functions and geographies, and operate independently when necessary.
• Proactive and adaptable, with a focus on delivering innovative and value-driven solutions.
• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 7-10 years of experience in the banking industries, with at least 4 - 5 years of experience in TB domain.

    Key Traits:

• Customer-focused mindset.
• Strategic thinking and vision.
• Leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment.