Associate, Credit Portfolio Risk

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 $90,000.00 and $135,000.00. 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 is seeking an Associate to join the Credit Portfolio Risk team within the Risk Management Department of the Americas Division. Reporting to the Director of Credit Portfolio Risk, the Associate will leverage prior experience in risk management to actively support a range of credit transformation initiatives. The role focuses on enhancing credit risk processes, data, and technology to strengthen the firm’s overall credit risk management framework.

Role Objectives: Delivery

On behalf of the Credit Risk Organization, the Associate will support end-to-end credit transformation initiatives aimed at modernizing, streamlining, and enhancing credit risk management processes, data and technology capabilities. This role blends credit risk expertise with project management skills to drive strategic change across the credit lifecycle – including improvements to portfolio reporting, enhancement of credit grading models, implementation of new risk systems, and optimization of underwriting workflows.

• Process Improvement: Document current state credit processes, identify inefficiencies, and design future state workflows that enhance accuracy, consistency, and operational speed.
• Data & System Transformation: Strengthen data sourcing and data quality for credit risk management and support the implementation of new technology solutions and tools.
• Project Execution: Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, and success metrics to ensure disciplined execution of credit transformation initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management: Partner with teams across Risk, Technology, Product, and Business lines to build alignment, drive adoption, and ensure smooth integration of new processes.
• Risk & Issue Management: Identify project risks and roadblocks early, escalate issues as appropriate, and implement corrective actions to maintain project momentum.
• Communication and Reporting: Develop executive ready presentations, dashboards, and status reports to communicate progress, outcomes, and key decisions.

Role Objectives: Interpersonal

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, soliciting input and converting feedback into actionable improvements to credit risk management processes.
• Proven capability in developing high quality written materials and presentations to support credit process assessments and enhancement initiatives.
• Strong cross functional collaboration skills, with the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives into accurate, actionable insights and ensure timely follow up.
• Effective communicator across all organizational levels, including credit risk teams, business partners, and senior leadership.

Role Objectives: Expertise

• Strong understanding of credit risk and portfolio management concepts, including familiarity with U.S. and international regulatory expectations and industry best practices.
• Working knowledge of the end to end credit lifecycle and key credit risk management frameworks and systems (e.g., 3 Lines of Defense, risk appetite, risk ratings).
• Experience in credit process management, including approval workflows, credit committee governance, and ongoing monitoring activities.
• Advanced analytical capabi