Data Strategy Adoption Lead

Who we are

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) is a core member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management operating in over 40 countries worldwide. SMBC Group has offices in 20 cities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) including its regional headquarters in London.

SMBC's competitive advantages include

A strong client base with broad coverage of the Fortune 500

Worldwide operations that enable us to provide clients with global solutions and that make SMBC the leading choice for US businesses expanding in Asia

A solid balance sheet and conservative approach

We prize energy, enthusiasm, excellence, and entrepreneurship and aim to attract the highest calibre of staff to join our existing talent and to contribute to the dynamic environment which we have established. With a focus on staff development and creating continual career opportunities, we are committed to our mission of providing a challenging and professionally rewarding work environment for our employees.

We operate a range of flexible benefits for our employees and are actively involved in Corporate Social Responsibility through a variety of workplace events and opportunities for staff to contribute to and be involved with the local community.

As an employer, SMBC is dedicated to equality and values diversity within our workforce. SMBC group is a proud signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, and as equal opportunity employers, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage an inclusive environment that allows all our employees to be their true selves and fully thrive in their roles. Our culture is one of integrity and respect, where we welcome all input and accept it without judgement.

Role Summary

The Data Strategy Adoption Lead (VP) is responsible for shaping and delivering the engagement, communication which supports the adoption strategy for the Data Office. The role ensures that the strategy, data initiatives, services, policies, and products are clearly understood, effectively communicated, and embedded across the organisation to drive adoption, cultural change, and business value.

The role plays a critical part in bridging the gap between the Data Office and the business, ensuring that data priorities are translated into clear, relevant, and actionable messaging for different audiences. It also acts as a catalyst for building a data-driven culture, promoting awareness, understanding, and trust in data across the organisation.

Through structured engagement, consistent storytelling, and measurable adoption activities, the role helps ensure that investments in data capabilities are fully realised and aligned to strategic business outcomes.The role requires an ability to educate and convince stakeholders at all levels on the opportunities presented by data, as well as a clear understanding and articulation of the benefits it will bring.

Essential

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including at senior level
• Experience of developing and delivering engagement strategies and plans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience of building effective engagement materials and telling stories with data such as PowerPoint decks
• Proven experience in representing data into the business

Experience operating in complex, matrixed organisations

Ability to translate technical concepts into business-relevant outcomes

Experience defining and tracking value and KPIs

Passion for driving behavioural and cultural change

The anticipated salary range for this role is £84,000 - £126,000, 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

Business Area

The EMEA Data Office was established in 2022 within the Operations, Planning and Data Department and is responsible for building out the Bank’s data capabilities across all EMEA entities and all datasets.

The Data Office initially concentrated on building foundational governance through improved Data Architecture, Data Management and Data Quality but is ultimately committed to exploiting data more effectively and innovatively across SMBC, to drive new ways of working and improved business outcomes. Our Data Strategy defines a vision for a data-enabled organisation and sets out the strategic outcomes that data must support across the bank. We will continue to evolve the strategy while prioritising key foundational initiatives and business priorities for the next financial year.

We are driving data-led transformation through the bank, and it is a great opportunity to join us on this exciting journey.

Position Description

Engagement Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and execute a Data Engagement Strategy aligned to CDAO priorities
• Drive awareness and adoption of key data initiatives, including governance, data products, and data strategy
• Design and deliver structured engagement plans for different stakeholder groups (senior leadership, business users, data community)
• Establish and manage engagement channels (e.g. forums, roadshows, town halls, communities of practice)

Data Journey Storytelling

• Lead the creation of clear, consistent, and compelling data narratives
• Translate complex data concepts into business-friendly messaging
• Develop and maintain key artefacts (Data Office services, strategy, presentations, updates, dashboards, newsletters)
• Ensure alignment of messaging across the Data Office and into the broader organisation
• Working with EMEA Comms build and create external messaging that builds profile and attracts talent from within the Bank and externally

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key interface between the Data Office and business stakeholders
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, data owners, and business teams
• Tailor engagement approaches to meet the needs of different functions and regions
• Gather feedback and insights to continuously improve engagement effectiveness
• Drive engagement through ‘Better Data’ including targeted campaigns, events and business engagement across EMEA

Governance & Alignment

• Ensure communications support key data governance forums and decision-making processes (e.g. DMOC, EDC)
• Align messaging with policies, standards, and regulatory requirements
• Support consistent communication of roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities across the data operating model
• Leading reporting from Data Office pillars providing inputs to KPI measurement and business value
• Invested and Engaged Team
• Lead team engagement initiatives (events, communications, collaboration forums)
• Representative on culture working groups and forums
• Promote an inclusive, purpose-led culture including social value and community impact
• Enabling New Ways of Working
• Champion adoption of data and AI-enabled ways of working across the business
• Promote collaboration across data, technology, and business teams
• Embed agile, product-led, and user-centric approaches to data adoption

Competencies

Customer Focus

Driving Change

Driving Results

Embraces Diversity

Enterprise Leadership

Judgement and Decision Making

Risk Management

Strategic and Visionary

Trust and Integrity

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

Hybrid and flexible working

Competitive paid leave days

Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance

Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services

Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities

Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!