Analytics Centre of Excellence Manager

30 Jun 2026 London, LND, GB, EC2M 2AT job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; } 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 The Analytics Centre of Excellence (COE) Manager is a key role that will support the strategic goals of the Data Analytics Function within the EMEA Data Management Office. This role will support Data Analytics Function to develop and mature Analytics \& Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities across SMBC EMEA. The focus of this role will be to build out the Analytics Centre of Excellence (COE) supporting the community with Developing Maintaining Analytics products aligned to our governance frameworks. The ideal candidate will have previous experience of working in a Data Analytics Team, preferably a CDO or CDAO environment, and establishing organisational capability for Reporting and Analytics (people, process, and technology factors). They will leverage their knowledge and expertise to establish and embed new operating models within SMBC and drive the transformation of Analytics, Insight and Data Science across EMEA. The role will require the successful candidate to work with stakeholders across all functions, including department level analytics teams, to drive best practice that ensures fit-for-purpose analytics and insight generation is delivered across the organisation. The role requires an ability to educate and convince stakeholders at all levels on the essential nature of this role and the vision and purpose of the Analytics COE, and the EMEA Data Office more broadly. The candidate must be willing to challenge the status quo in an empathic manner, while helping the wider Data Office team to have an ethos of openness and transparency that will help us nurture real business innovation. If you want to make a real difference, and not just in one team but across the entire bank, we would love to speak to you more. Background The Data Analytics Function is one of five ‘pillars’ within the EMEA Data Office which is part of the Operations Planning Department (OPPD). We have a remit covering all EMEA entities (including Securities and Banking subsidiaries) and all datasets. The Data Office is responsible for defining and implementing the EMEA Data Strategy, building out its data management capabilities, and focusing on how to exploit data more effectively and innovatively across SMBC. As part of this work, the EMEA Data Office has established a new framework which encompasses cultural, behavioural, procedural, and system transformation to deliver the new strategy. This framework has initially concentrated on good governance by improved Data Architecture, Data Management and Data Quality, but is now starting to focus more on how to use Data to drive new ways of working and improved business outcomes. The Data Office has been established to drive data-led transformation through the bank, and this is a terrific opportunity to join us on this exciting journey. Accountabilities and Responsibilities Partner with Technology teams to align on the Operating Model for Analytics \& AI Adoption. Establish the strategy roadmap to build out the Analytics COE for EMEA aligned to the agreed Operating Model Leverage the bank’s digital channels to raise awareness of the Analytics COE and its service offering Develop and maintain a repository of standards, best practice guidance and templates for Analytics. Champion best practice and standards for Analytics \& AI within the Data Office and across the wider EMEA Analytics Community. Lead, coach \& mentor analysts across the bank, drawing on skills and experience across the Data Office and the EMEA Analytics Community to achieve this. Collaborate with analysts embedded within business teams and identify enablers that will support them to develop Analytics and AI products aligned to Department and Organisational strategic objectives Establish role-based training pathways for the EMEA Analytics Community aligned to our broader regional and global Data Talent Management Framework. Identify proof-of-concept opportunities that will test feasibility and value, uncovering benefits for our stakeholders, customers, and businesses. Presenting and discussing interesting insights to the wider business, including showcasing others’ experience Building effective relationships with the wider data family, both regionally and globally Establish mechanism for formally measuring and tracking business value management from our services. Champion the rollout and adoption of Analytics \& AI aligned to our Governance Frameworks, Policies, Rules and Procedures Horizon scanning to be informed of the latest industry insights relating to Analytics \& AI Support the implementation of the EMEA Data Strategy Framework Knowledge, Skills and Experience Essential: Previous experience of working in a Data/Analytics team, preferably CDO or CDAO, that was setting new Data Analytics capabilities and/or establishing a centre of excellence for Data, Analytics and/or AI. Experience with designing and implementing a Target Operating Model for Analytics including engaging stakeholders and influencing them of the need for change. Comprehensive understanding of career pathways and skills frameworks for roles in Data/Analytics Experience of working in an organisation that has rolled out self-serve analytics at enterprise level An outstanding problem solver who has an analytical mindset, is inquisitive and excellent with technology enabling a creative approach to solution scoping and delivery. Effective written and verbal communication skills: (i) comfortable presenting to and facilitating group of business users at all levels, (ii) ability to describe technical solutions to non-technical colleagues. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify, scope and deliver data analytics solutions. Solid understanding of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) as relevant to Analytics and AI. Good understanding of, and experience of applying, project management principles and approaches like waterfall and agile in Analytics and AI. Understanding of core mathematical and statistical concepts. Experience with Power BI and/or Tableau and developing data driven dashboards. Knowledge of emerging trends and issues within the Data Analytics and AI. Experience of working in the financial services industry and a good understanding of data related regulatory requirements for financial service sector Desirable: Strong data manipulation and data preparation skills with experience of using tools like Alteryx, Trifacta or Tableau Prep Proficiency with one or more data science programming languages e.g. R, Python Solid experience of statistical techniques and hands on statistical modelling experience, e.g. forecasting, regression analysis and probability distributions A good grasp of machine learning algorithms and data science techniques Experience working with cloud environments \& components (e.g. on Google Cloud Platform or equivalent) Scale and Scope The EMEA Data Office has been established for just three years, the department has seen rapid growth and is currently 200+ people and is expected to grow further over the next year. The Data Analytics Function within the EMEA Data Office has built rapidly over the last year and currently stands at 45 people, a mixture of permanent, contractor and consultant roles. The function is expected to growth further over the next couple of years. This role would have responsibility for one direct report initially but that is expected to grow. They would also need to matrix manage roles in other teams. This is a greenfield opportunity where capability needs will be built from scratch. There is limited understanding of the opportunities from new data and analytics capabilities, and therefore excellent stakeholder engagement and partnering skills are essential 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. We are committed to transparent and equitable pay practices. Compensation is determined using objective criteria, including skills, experience, and role responsibilities, and applied consistently throughout our recruitment processes. We do not request candidates' pay history and are committed to preventing unjustified pay disparities. .buttontextfef7b1971ec97ba9 a{ border: 1px solid transparent; } .buttontextfef7b1971ec97ba9 a: focus{ border: 1px dashed #aad041 !important; outline: none !important; } 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. about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers