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 Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, 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 $157,000.00 and $235,000.00. 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 Vice President - Counsel role for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) will work within the Legal Department, reporting to the Executive Director and Head of the Technology, Operations and Procurement (TOP) Legal team. 
 

Role Objectives Primary responsibilities will involve strategic legal advice, and negotiation and documentation of third-party vendor contracts, working with the vendor risk assessment processes and teams, as well as the various business units, including but not limited to, Information Technology, Information Security, Operations, Procurement, Third-Party Risk, Human Resources, Capital Markets, Nikko (broker dealer), and Corporate Services. In particular: Serving as a strategic legal advisor to the various business units on issues surrounding technology, outsourcing, intellectual property, data and related matters, and providing strategic, commercially pragmatic, and transparent advice to business clients. Acting as a key legal advisor on SMBC Americas Division commercial vendor transactions.  Reviewing, negotiating, and documenting various technology agreements, procurement and vendor contracts, including, but not limited to: software (on-prem and SaaS/cloud), outsourcing, hardware, systems, facilities, telecommunications, and professional/consulting services; non-disclosure agreements; and various other vendor commercial agreements to support the business. Providing general advice and counsel on financial services-related technology transactions to support the Bank’s third-party sourcing and procurement efforts.  Issue-spotting, researching and appropriately escalating risks and concerns that may exist with any third-party contract.  Interpreting legal and regulatory developments and guidance impacting commercial vendor transactions. Collaborating with other internal stakeholders to ensure appropriate awareness and escalation of issues as they arise.  Maintaining subject matter expertise in technology, operations and procurement regulatory requirements and keeping up to date with emerging technology legal issues, including cloud, artificial intelligence/machine learning, fintech, data etc.
  Qualifications and Skills 6-8 years minimum experience reviewing and drafting and negotiating technology and other vendor contracts and advising on technology and intellectual property laws and regulations. Prior in-house experience and/or experience with a financial services institution a significant plus.   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 various stakeholders and issues.  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 commercially pragmatic solutions.    Ability to communicate complex legal advice in a clear and concise manner to business clients to support difficult decision making. Ability to collaborate with and successfully contribute to cross-functional teams and work with people from regions around the world. Additional Requirements

D&I Commitment

Responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, holding leaders accountable for creating an inclusive environment through awareness and practice of equity in recruiting, developing, and promoting diverse talent.

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.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.