Loan Capital Markets Executive Director (META)

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we'll always strive to be better, we're proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves.

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

Is the next step in your career at SMBC Group EMEA? We're looking for an Executive Director for our META (Middle East, Turkey & African) group to join our team.

The ED of Dubai LCM Syndicate & Distribution is responsible for all marketing and distribution activities for the Bank relating to underwritten, syndicated, club, bilateral and coordination/bookbuild Loans within META and wider Emerging Markets and for close cooperation with other SMBC loan related hubs globally.

Facts & Scale

• Main interfaces/relationships:
  • Internal: Senior Stakeholders in Front Offices, Heads of Loan Origination, Senior Management, as well as Nikko and any other related departments
  • External: Investors (Banks and Institutional Investors), Competitors, or any other debt investors
• For 2025 the team was responsible for transacting over 100 primary deals and a similar number of secondary trades. The deals were completed across multiple sectors/structures on a global basis.
• The role will typically cover in excess of 50 accounts, across sectors, region and disciplines.
• No direct budget target, but material individual contribution to P&L of LCM required. Contribution to the overall profit of the bank.
• Representation both internally and externally at a senior level, including attending relevant conferences
• Source and execute new transactions.
• Drive the development of new processes and procedures to deliver improvements and efficiencies.
• Contribute to the overall META business plan, ensuring contributions are aligned with broader Bank strategy and that these are cascaded through the priorities for projects and teams managed.

Business Area

• The ED will be the main contact for both market counterparties and internal senior stakeholders.
• They are responsible for handling all aspects of the syndicate & distribution function. They will lead, direct and or co-ordinate the sale and or distribution of highly complex through to vanilla transactions on both a primary and secondary basis. For regionally sourced transactions they will also lead and coordinate on active coordination/bookrunning mandates.
• At all times promote the Bank's external profile on distribution capabilities and assist to improve League Table position.
• The role requires the promotion towards an investor coverage model, assisting team members to ensure comprehensive cover across META. A close focus on developing and building new sources of investor liquidity is also required.
• The role is an Approved function (FCA - Client Dealing).
• The role will be closely involved in META & departmental strategy.
• It requires close collaborations and engagement with all business units on a global basis at a senior level.

Position Description

• The ED will act as the main point of contact for marketing and/ or distribution with senior stakeholders from each Front office with direct responsibility to deliver sales.
• The role is directly accountable for delivering the bank's key driver of the Originate to Distribute model, through a combination of primary and secondary loan distribution.
• The ED will make decisions alongside the Head of EMEA LCM Distribution & Origination teams on underwriting risk positions across the bank, where they relate to sell down to final hold positions.
• The role also requires keeping the Team Head and senior management regularly updated and advised as to current market conditions, regulatory changes and investor sentiment. It requires a strong external loan market profile and deep personal knowledge of the META investor base and market at a senior level.
• Support the origination/syndicate efforts of SFD and Meta in the region - acting as a local, first line of defense/screening of transactions.
• Close involvement is required with all portfolio management teams across the banks to be a focal point for the management of RWA positions via secondary sell down.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Develop, communicate and implement a strategy on distribution.
• Strong communicator with developed influencing skills with the ability to present the wider strategy (big picture)
• Stakeholder manager skills including a cross -regional basis.
• Alongside origination evaluate and analyse deals for underwriting opportunities.
• Regularly contribute/present at monthly marketing meeting to Team Heads etc .
• Pro-actively suggest improvements, initiatives and new products to enhance output and value-add of LCM.
• Actively participate, advise and recommend in client portfolio reviews with Front Offices to assess existing client's needs and identify potential targets.
• Opine, advise and prepare liquidity analysis and pricing parameters, for underwritten deals, new client pitches and primary and secondary distribution of assets.
• Specfically ascertain the potential to distribute assets in the secondary market; identifying the potential buyers and indicative pricing to allow Front Office to have an enhanced view on overall transaction economics over the lifecycle f the transaction.
• Leverage and coordinate with our Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and other international offices to optimize transaction liquidity and source new pools of capital
• Attend internal meetings with RM departments to gain and share information,
• Support Front Office in the preparation and presentation of external client pitches with a readiness to discuss the market, liquidity, structure and pricing views to an exceptional standard.
• Assist in all areas of Distribution Team as workflows dictate.
• Providing guidance and management to all staff on an ongoing basis and identify training and development needs.
• Contribute to to the production of any pitch books.
• Together with LCM Origination, develop and maintain pricing and investor liquidity database,
• Support all areas of Origination Teams as workflows dictate.
• Complying with all regulatory and internal policies and procedures, regulations and guidelines.
• Participating and initiate wider initiatives internally and externally not limited to specific role.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive industry experience/ Recognised Authority Expert with circa 15yrs plus.
• Specific experience in structuring, underwriting and distribution across Europe, Middle East and Africa across corporate, sovereigns and structured finance space.
• Direct exposure and practical experience of the specifics of shariah financing, sukuk, murabaha etc.
• Recognised authority in the Loan Market, with a strong external network.
• Proven track record of successful decision-making skills, problem- and conflict resolution
• Significant technical experience, interpreting and delivering strategies across different sectors & countries.
• Ability to develop strong internal networks and build trusted relationships to enable change and influence behaviour across the bank.
• Good relevant degree from a leading university
• Promotes good teamwork, with the ability to coach and mentor junior colleagues.
• Solution focused with proven business judgement and high ethical and professional standards.
• Proven ability to analyse, understand and present complex technical problems and to develop high value propositions.
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English to communicate complex proposals.
• Ability to converse in multiple languages would be a benefit; Arabic, Urdu etc.

Competencies

Customer Focus
Driving Change
Driving Results
Embraces Diversity
Enterprise Leadership
Judgement and Decision Making
Risk Management
Strategic and Visionary
Trust and Integrity

What we offer

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.

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:

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities
• Ambitious remuneration package

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!!

We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We'll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.

About SMBC

A trusted partner for the long term
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.
Find out more about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers

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