Purpose of the Role

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-party and intra-group arrangements, including outsourcing, ICT services, and emerging technology use cases.

The role supports SMBC EMEA entities in delivering strategic initiatives through pragmatic, risk-based legal advice, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks (including outsourcing, operational resilience and AI regulation).

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-party frameworks through close partnership with business and control functions (including the Third Party Management ("TPM") and Procurement teams), ensuring effective management of contractual and regulatory risk in line with SMBC's strategic objectives.

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.

Background and Organisational Context

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scale & Scope

The person will be an integral member of the STPD-Legal Group and must be capable of handling complex work.

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-group arrangements, contributing to hundreds of matters annually.

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-term BAU contract execution to longer-term regulatory and strategic initiatives (e.g., DORA implementation, AI governance frameworks).

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of TOP contracts (including ICT services, outsourcing, SaaS, and intra-group arrangements), ensuring alignment with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
Advise and collaborate with TPM, Procurement and business stakeholders on legal and regulatory risk, including outsourcing, operational resilience and AI-related considerations.
Assess and determine applicability of regulatory frameworks (e.g., DORA, EBA outsourcing, data protection, AI regulation) and escalate material risks.
Lead or support negotiations on complex vendor arrangements, including critical/important outsourcing and strategic vendor contracts.
Develop and maintain standard templates, playbooks and guidance to improve consistency, efficiency and auditability of contract review processes.
Provide training to TPM, Procurement and business stakeholders, as and when required.
Monitor and interpret legal and regulatory developments impacting TOP arrangements, and advise on implementation within SMBC.
Support dispute management and provide risk-based recommendations on vendor and contractual issues.
Collaborate cross-regionally with Legal teams in EMEA, Tokyo, APAC and the Americas on global initiatives and vendor frameworks.

Challenges

Develop an understanding of the Bank's commercial operations and policies to provide pragmatic advice.
Manage legal risk in accordance with the constantly changing regulatory requirements which apply to financial institutions.
Assist stakeholders to understand applicable legal risks, particularly in the context of complex IT and technology-related initiatives.
Deliver timely, risk-based legal advice across a high volume of matters and competing priorities, including complex technology, outsourcing and AI-related initiatives across multiple business areas.

Competencies

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

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

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.
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.
Experience working on cross border contracts and with global legal teams, for example Tokyo and the Americas, is a strong advantage.
Experience advising on AI enabled services, model risk and AI governance frameworks is desirable.
Experience in products offered by banks and financial institutions and relevant financial services regulation is preferable.
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.
Strong competence in drafting documentation and using bank wide systems, including Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Office.
Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with stakeholders and operate effectively as a team player.
Demonstrates openness and approachability, with the ability to work autonomously and exercise sound judgement.

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!!

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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