Director, Counsel - Cash Management

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 $189,000.00 and $260,000.00. 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

The Director, Counsel role for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will work within the Legal Department, to support the Cash Management System business with a focus on Bank operations including commercial deposits and funds transfer and payments systems, for a G-SIB. The role will report to the Deputy General Counsel of Americas Division with matrix reporting to practice groups within the Legal Department, which support the commercial lending business, as well as the technology, operations, and procurement businesses.

Role Objectives

Primary responsibilities will involve providing legal advice and support on financial services related to transaction banking, cash management, deposits and payment services. As the primary attorney and relationship manager for the cash management business, the candidate will act as the practical solution provider and adviser to the internal business client. As part of the broader legal department, work with the rest of the Legal Department attorneys in their support of various business units. .

Responsibilities

• Rendering legal advice and support to the Bank’s operations, including deposits, electronic banking, payments, and fiduciary activities.
• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating Bank operational documents, including customer facing agreements, relating to deposit, cash management and other bank products.
• Supporting cash management and other deposit operations needs for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC).
• Reviewing advertisements, disclosures and other matters and transactions having regulatory compliance implications.
• Assisting and responding to internal questions related to bank operations (including account opening and closing).
• Providing legal advice concerning general regulatory and corporate matters related to transaction banking and cash management.
• Supporting other attorneys as-needed, across the legal organization.
• Keeping management and other appropriate Bank personnel apprised of significant changes to statutory laws and regulations and significant developments in case law that might impact the Bank.
• Providing training and other advice and instruction to Bank personnel on appropriate preventative law and legal and compliance issues.
• Contributing to the legal assessment of new bank products.

Qualifications and Skills

• 7 years minimum in banking or financial services, or equivalent law firm experience. Prior experience in cash management and transaction banking business is required.
• Admission to the NY Bar (or clear qualification of eligibility for waiving in from another jurisdiction with which NY has reciprocity) and a member of good standing of such Bar.
• Comfortable engaging with senior executives across a host of disciplines and businesses. Significant project management skills to manage a host of initiatives.
• Excellent communication skills, technical drafting skills, and issue-spotting skills. Ability to work under pressure, operate comfortably in a fast-paced, demanding environment, and manage a significant workload with minimal supervision. Ability to think creatively and propose solutions.

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].