IT Project Manager

The Japan Research Institute (JRI) Limited is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. SMBC Group is a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. JRI provides comprehensive, highly value-added information services through the coordinated application of its 3 functions: information systems, consulting, and think-tank. As a system integrator, JRI offers services in IT strategy planning, implementation, and outsourcing to a broad range of industries and activities. JRI Singapore currently supports the overall IT functions of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in the Asia Pacific Region.

The successful candidate will lead the planning and implementation of future-enabled projects for JRI Singapore, and the APAC region including Singapore, aligned with the requirements of SMBC, in cooperation with Tokyo Head Office, the current product owner.

He/she will work closely with stakeholders from Japan Head Office, end users, system development departments, company back-office departments, and vendors across the APAC region to establish effective and efficient collaboration.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing projects involving a variety of banking systems located in Tokyo to enhance collaboration, performance, security, and service level.
• Plan and lead IT system implementation projects involving various IT and non-IT departments in Tokyo and Singapore to enhance banking IT capability from a regional perspective.
• Provide expertise to regional teams and foster collaboration with stakeholders in Japan Head Office.
• Provide timely escalation and resolution of major issues to Management and Head Office.
• Act as liaison between end users and IT team in the local market and Japan Head Office to understand business requirements for Forex systems, including designing and implementing new solutions or enhancements.
• Partner with IT Planning department to ensure alignment of all company platform’s architecture processes, standards, strategies, and roadmap with that of JRI and/or SMBC Group.
• Collaborate with Japan Head Office to establish internal control in which an entity is managed and governed.
• Prepare and present regular project reports and documentation.
• Prepare and submit budget plans for identified project initiatives, influencing, and negotiating with Head Office for support.
• Ensure project status and progress are communicated to stakeholders and IT teams in a timely and concise manner.
• Work out full-scale and precise proposals with the technical solution team, coordinating and communicating resources and defining clear roles with all project resources.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of experience providing IT service to Financial Institutions.
• Knowledge in IT system infrastructure for large transaction volumes and/or users.
• Experience in IT system development project management and delivery service in large organizations.
• Proven experience in collaboration and workgroup for project delivery.
• Capability to lead and drive IT BAU related tasks with good time and stakeholder management skills and experience.
• An assertive team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and good interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with constantly changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Japanese is highly preferred as this role involves preparing reports in Japanese for reporting to Head Office in Japan and communicating with senior stakeholders who mainly communicate in Japanese.
• Experience in handling regional projects involving stakeholders in Japan is an advantage.
• Experience in internal control or audit area with a deep understanding of IT business processes and systems.
• Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or equivalent experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the system development lifecycle.