VP/Director, Assistant Corporate Secretary

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $165,000.00 and $200,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

SMBC Americas Holdings, Inc. (“Bank Holding Company” or “BHC”) is seeking an Assistant Corporate Secretary to support the BHC and related subsidiaries’ Boards of Directors, as well as Corporate Secretary Team (“CoSec”) matters. This role will include drafting/revising board-related policies and processes; creation and maintenance of corporate records; executing on CoSec projects; advising on and managing corporate governance activities; assisting with all aspects of board and board committee planning, including logistical management, interacting with presenters on meeting materials, drafting resolutions, assembling and distributing meeting materials, and minute taking; and collaborating within the Legal department and across business and support functions to address legal and risk issues in a manner consistent with the best interests of the BHC.

Role Objectives

In this role, you will:

• Be part of a team handling logistics and associated activities to ensure effective and timely operations of boards and board committees, including but not limited to: agenda development; gathering, review, and posting of all board meeting-related materials and information; attending board meetings; drafting and reviewing meeting minutes or resolutions; and board/committee meeting scheduling.

• Execute, support and coordinate governance-related operations and projects as assigned by the Managing Director/Corporate Secretary.
• Create and ensure accurate maintenance of corporate records; act as a primary contact for corporate information; initiate, contribute to, and file state and other filings; manage the production of corporate governance records for regulatory examination, audit purposes or other due diligence initiatives if/as needed.

• Independently resolve moderately complex issues and ensure deliverables met.
• Provide corporate governance support to the BHC Board of Directors and Committees as well as to boards of related subsidiaries.
• Provide advice and legal counsel on a range of corporate governance matters, including governance and organizational documents.

• Collaborate within the Legal department and across business and support functions to address legal and risk issues in a manner consistent with the best interests of the BHC.
• Manage outside counsel and other service providers, as needed.

Qualifications and Skills

Required :

• 2-3 years (minimum) of relevant experience at a law firm or in-house (or combination thereof).
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active member in good standing of at least one state bar (preferably New York or Delaware).
• Able to work independently; exercise sound judgment, discretion, and decision-making.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a substantial and varied workload with multiple and simultaneous deadlines.
• Ability to identify and resolve issues related to corporate governance through research, analysis, and developing practical and well-reasoned solutions.
• Excellent analytical, oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills; must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization and externally.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially in a complex, cross-matrixed environment with a high degree of collaboration.
• Strong organizational skills; accuracy and attention to detail.
• "Always learning" attitude about emerging trends and risks in corporate governance.

Desired/Nice to have/Asset:

• Banking or financial industry experience.
• Experience with project management or policy/process implementation.
• Japanese language and/or experience with Asian companies

SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [email protected].