About this role
<div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Purpose of the Role</H2> </div><div><p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice on a broad range of technology, operations and procurement (“TOP”) matters across the EMEA region. The role focuses on managing legal and regulatory risks in third</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">party and intra</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">group arrangements, including outsourcing, ICT services, and emerging technology use cases.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The role supports SMBC EMEA entities in delivering strategic initiatives through pragmatic, risk</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">based legal advice, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks (including outsourcing, operational resilience and AI regulation). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">The role supports the efficient execution of contracts, the development and consistency of legal standards, policies, procedures and templates, and the embedding of compliant, scalable third</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:'Cambria Math', serif">‑</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">party frameworks through close partnership with business and control functions (including the Third Party Management (</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">“</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">TPM</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">”</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">) and Procurement teams), ensuring effective management of contractual and regulatory risk in line with SMBC</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">’</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif">s strategic objectives.</span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The anticipated salary range for this role is €72,000- €134,000, with the final offer determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, role scope, location, and relevant market factors. In addition to base salary, the role may be eligible for a discretionary incentive award and a competitive benefits package, including core benefits such as pension provision.</p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Background and Organisational Context</H2> </div><div><p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">SMBC is a Global Systemically Important Bank (GSIB) with extensive operations in EMEA and a presence in over 30 locations in the region. Its operations in EMEA have grown considerably in size and complexity over the last 10 years with the addition of new products and business lines. </span><span style="color:windowtext">The UK acts as the regional hub for SMBC, but Germany is rapidly emerging as another key centre in the region. Dubai is responsible within EMEA for the firm’s business in the Middle East and North Africa. Cross-border legal issues are a key area of focus.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">SMBC in EMEA has particular strengths in a number of areas, including international trade finance, structured and project finance and corporate lending and is growing its capital markets business rapidly. The firm has adopted a Universal Bank strategy in EMEA, bringing together its capital markets business and its banking business under its banks in the UK and Germany. Such an integration is complex from a legal and regulatory point of view.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The candidate should be a qualified lawyer from a reputable law firm or reputable financial institution or major corporation with strong interpersonal skills who will act as a legal advisor to all levels of the Bank in the EMEA region as well as for SMBC Group globally where required, on a broad range of legal matters. The individual must have experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of ICT-specific commercial contracts, including software licensing agreements, SaaS/cloud service agreements, ICT outsourcing and consultancy contracts, and data protection agreements, as well as broader TOP contracts. Experience in financial services regulation, particularly in relation to third party services and operational resilience, is advantageous.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The person will be liaising with stakeholders of a broad range of seniority across various groups in the Bank as well as suppliers of the Bank in relation to a broad range of TOP documentation and legal issues, as well as representing the STPD-Legal Group in important group-wide projects.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Within this context, the STPD-Legal Group plays a central role in supporting cross‑functional collaboration between Legal, TPM, Procurement, IT, Operations, and Data Privacy teams across EMEA and globally (including Tokyo, APAC and the Americas). The role operates within a highly matrixed, cross‑border environment, supporting both local entity requirements and global initiatives, with increasing focus on regulatory compliance in outsourcing, operational resilience, and AI‑enabled services.</span></p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Scale & Scope</H2> </div><div><p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The person will be an integral member of the STPD-Legal Group and must be capable of handling complex work. </span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The role supports SMBC’s EMEA operations across multiple jurisdictions, with exposure to UK, EU and local regulatory frameworks. The individual will typically manage 20–30 concurrent matters per month, spanning ICT, outsourcing, procurement and intra</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">group arrangements, contributing to hundreds of matters annually.</span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">The role interfaces regularly with senior stakeholders across Legal, TPM, Procurement, IT, Operations and business teams, and contributes to regional and global projects, ranging from short</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">term BAU contract execution to longer</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">term regulatory and strategic initiatives (e.g., DORA implementation, AI governance frameworks).</span></p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities</H2> </div><div><ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of TOP contracts (including ICT services, outsourcing, SaaS, and intra</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">group arrangements), ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory requirements.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Advise and collaborate with TPM, Procurement and business stakeholders on legal and regulatory risk, including outsourcing, operational resilience and AI</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">related considerations.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Assess and determine applicability of regulatory frameworks (e.g., DORA, EBA outsourcing, data protection, AI regulation) and escalate material risks.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Lead or support negotiations on complex vendor arrangements, including critical/important outsourcing and strategic vendor contracts.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Develop and maintain standard templates, playbooks and guidance to improve consistency, efficiency and auditability of contract review processes.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Provide training to TPM, Procurement and business stakeholders, as and when required.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments impacting TOP arrangements, and advise on implementation within SMBC.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Support dispute management and provide risk</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">based recommendations on vendor and contractual issues.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Collaborate cross</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">regionally with Legal teams in EMEA, Tokyo, APAC and the Americas on global initiatives and vendor frameworks.</span></li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Challenges</H2> </div><div><ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Develop an understanding of the Bank’s commercial operations and policies to provide pragmatic advice.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Manage legal risk in accordance with the constantly changing regulatory requirements which apply to financial institutions.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Assist stakeholders to understand applicable legal risks, particularly in the context of complex IT and technology-related initiatives.</span></li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 10.0pt 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333"><span style="color:windowtext">Deliver timely, risk</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">based legal advice across a high volume of matters and competing priorities, including complex technology, outsourcing and AI</span><span style="font-family:'Cambria Math', serif;color:windowtext">‑</span><span style="color:windowtext">related initiatives across multiple business areas.</span></li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Competencies</H2> </div><div><div>Customer Focus</div><div>Driving Change</div><div>Driving Results</div><div>Embraces Diversity</div><div>Enterprise Leadership</div><div>Judgement and Decision Making</div><div>Risk Management</div><div>Strategic and Visionary</div><div>Trust and Integrity</div></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">Knowledge, Skills and Experience</H2> </div><div><ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Qualified lawyer with at least 5 to 8 years post qualification experience, including at least 3 years of experience drafting, advising on and negotiating a broad range of ICT contracts and technology related legal work. This experience should have been gained at a reputable law firm and or bank or corporate institution.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Experience in commercial law, general procurement law, data protection including GDPR, data licensing and intellectual property rights, information technology and cyber security legal issues, and UK and EBA outsourcing requirements, EU DORA requirements and the EU AI Act.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Experience working on cross border contracts and with global legal teams, for example Tokyo and the Americas, is a strong advantage.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Experience advising on AI enabled services, model risk and AI governance frameworks is desirable.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Experience in products offered by banks and financial institutions and relevant financial services regulation is preferable.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">The individual will be expected to attend Continuing Professional Development training courses in order to remain up to date on regulatory developments and emerging legal issues relating to technology outsourcing procurement contracts.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Strong competence in drafting documentation and using bank wide systems, including Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Office.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with stakeholders and operate effectively as a team player.</li> <li style="margin:0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0cm 0.0px;line-height:115%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Calibri, sans-serif;color:#333333">Demonstrates openness and approachability, with the ability to work autonomously and exercise sound judgement.</li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:16.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px">What we offer</H2> </div><div><p>For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.</p> <p>As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:</p> <ul> <li>Hybrid and flexible working </li> <li>Competitive paid leave days</li> <li>Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance </li> <li>Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services </li> <li>Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities </li> <li>Ambitious remuneration package</li> </ul> <p>So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!</p> </div></div></div>