SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $141,000.00 and $228,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description

The Vice President and Counsel for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will work within the Legal Department and report to the Director and Counsel - Legal Relationship Manager for the Global Financial Institutions Group (GFIG) and Japanese and Asian Corporate Banking (JDAD) Departments.

Role Objectives

Primary responsibilities include:

Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating documentation for credit transactions, such as bilateral and syndicated credit agreements, reimbursement agreements, guarantees, security agreements, engagement letters, commitment letters, fee letters and term sheets.
Working closely with the front office in GFIG and JDAD and other internal stakeholders (including credit risk management) to assist with the structuring and coordination of credit transactions.
Supervising and managing external counsel.
Identifying and analyzing U.S. and cross-border legal, regulatory, and market issues affecting the commercial lending businesses, including the legal risk associated with new products and activities.
Maintaining and updating form documents.
Providing periodic advice to other SMBC offices on matters of New York law and U.S. market practice.
Participating in continuing legal education seminars of relevance to the commercial lending businesses and participating in relevant industry groups (e.g., LSTA) in order to maintain current knowledge of developing law and market practice.
Collaborate and coordinate with attorneys in SMBC PDAD Legal and other internal partners to ensure adherence to institutional standards and policies. Escalate material issues and developments to senior attorneys and members of management.

Qualifications and Skills

Admission to the New York bar (or clear qualification of eligibility for waiving in from another jurisdiction with which New York has reciprocity) and a member of good standing of such bar.
4 years minimum experience at a law firm or in-house legal department advising financial institutions on bilateral and syndicated commercial lending transactions with significant cross-border finance experience. Excellent legal and analytical skills. Broad experience in general credit transactions, including secured and unsecured lending transactions, lending transactions with bank and non-bank financial institution counterparties (such as insurance companies and BDCs), insolvency and bankruptcy, and cross-border financing is preferred. Japanese language skills a plus.
Demonstrated skills in legal risk management. Ability to see past the question and understand the bigger picture. Ability to balance competing demands and protect institutional interests. Ability to articulate complex concepts and ideas and apply them at a practical level to real-world situations.
Excellent communication skills, technical drafting skills, and issue-spotting skills. Ability to work under pressure, operate comfortably in a fast-paced, demanding environment, and manage a significant workload with minimal supervision. Ability to think commercially, creatively and propose solutions.
Must be a team player.

Additional Requirements

D&I Commitment

Responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, holding leaders accountable for creating an inclusive environment through awareness and practice of equity in recruiting, developing, and promoting diverse talent.

SMBC’s employees participate in a hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.