Executive Director, Strategic Development

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 $233,000.00 and $270,000.00. 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 Executive Director, Strategic Development is a senior generalist role responsible for advancing enterprise‑level strategic development efforts, including selective corporate transactions and complex, non‑routine initiatives, and for serving as a trusted execution partner to senior leadership.

The role focuses on high‑impact situations that shape the firm’s structure, footprint, and long‑term positioning , requiring judgment, discretion, and end‑to‑end ownership of analysis and execution . It is designed for an experienced corporate development or business development professional who thrives in ambiguity and prefers broad responsibility over narrow specialization.

This position sits within Finance and works closely with Treasury, Legal, Risk, and external advisors to evaluate strategic alternatives, advance development initiatives, and execute transactions where financial, funding, or balance‑sheet considerations are relevant inputs to decision‑making.

The role reports directly to the Head of the Strategic Development and operates with delegated authority , leading execution and analysis while aligning closely with the Head on strategic direction, key decisions, and external engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development & Inorganic Opportunities

• Serve as internal execution lead for strategic development initiatives and special situations , including selective acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, and strategic alternatives such as internal restructurings or carve‑outs, partnerships or minority investments, and other non‑standard initiatives.
• Partner with the Head of the Strategic Development, the CEO, CFO, and senior leadership to identify, shape, and evaluate inorganic and strategic opportunities in line with enterprise objectives.
• Lead assessment of market conditions, peer activity, and competitive dynamics to inform development priorities and option‑setting.
• Evaluate potential transaction or partnership structures, execution considerations, and key trade‑offs, including financial and capital implications where relevant , and develop clear recommendations for leadership decision‑making.

Selective Transaction Execution

• Where transactions are pursued, own execution across the full transaction lifecycle , including investment thesis development, valuation, diligence coordination, structuring, negotiation support, execution through close, and post‑close or end‑state implementation.
• Prepare and present analyses, risk assessments, and decision materials for executive management and governance forums, advancing well‑reasoned recommendations for alignment and approval.

Key Responsibilities (Continued)

Complex Execution & Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Lead execution of high‑complexity, non‑routine initiatives and transactions , coordinating across lines of business and with Finance, Treasury, Legal, Tax, Risk, Operations, Technology, and external advisors.
• Act as the quarterback for complex initiatives, maintaining ownership of the critical path, resolving issues, and driving momentum under tight timelines and incomplete information.
• Coordinate closely with external advisors engaged by the firm (e.g., investment banks, legal counsel, consultants), managing day‑to‑day execution while aligning scope, direction, and key interactions with the Head of the Strategic Development .
• Anticipate and manage execution risks related to structure, timing, regulatory considerations, contractual complexity, and operational dependencies.

Deputy / Execution Partner Role

• Serve as a trusted execution partner to the Head of the Strategic Development , leading analysis and execution and advancing recommendations within an agreed decision envelope, while escalating key decisions and trade‑offs for alignment.
• Represent senior leadership in internal and external forums as appropriate, with accountability for preparation, execution, and follow‑through.
• Absorb complexity, synthesize competing inputs, and deliver clear, judgment‑based conclusions to support timely decision‑making.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Experience

• 10+ years of experience in investment banking, corporate development, private equity, or strategic finance, with meaningful exposure to complex transactions or enterprise‑level initiatives.
• Demonstrated leadership of non‑routine, high‑impact transactions or strategic initiatives , particularly those involving multiple stakeholders, regulatory considerations, or structural complexity.
• Proven ability to operate as a generalist execution lead , owning outcomes rather than a single functional specialty.
• Strong financial analysis, valuation, and transaction structuring skills.

Additional Information

What Differentiates a Strong Candidate

• Sound judgment and comfort making decisions with imperfect information.
• Ability to distinguish what is critical versus what can be delegated.
• Experience using external advisors effectively without outsourcing accountability .
• Executive presence and the ability to communicate clearly and credibly with senior stakeholders.
• Motivation to act as a trusted deputy and execution partner , rather than an independent decision‑maker or narrow subject‑matter expert.

Reporting Line & Growth

• Reports directly to the Head of the Strategic Development , within senior Finance leadership.
• Provides sustained exposure to enterprise‑level decision‑making and long‑term corporate development and business development leadership opportunities.

General Team Description

• Strategic Development sits within Finance and supports enterprise-level strategic development efforts, including selective strategic transactions and other complex, non-routine initiatives. The team partners closely with Treasury, Legal, Risk, Tax, Operations, Technology, and business stakeholders, and works with external advisors as needed.

#LI-RCH

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].