Role Description

The Operations Control Officer provides expert guidance to the Operations function on first-line process and control design, drives rigorous assessment of non-financial risks and controls, and leads effective engagement with senior Operations leadership, Risk Management, Compliance, and Internal Audit. Reporting to the Americas Division Control Office, this role operates with significant autonomy and manages a small team of experienced Control Officers.

Key Responsibilities
• Provide first-line expert guidance on non-financial risk management across Operations (e.g., Treasury Operations, Settlement Operations, Loan Services, Anti-Fraud Operations, and Client Onboarding).
• Own and execute the first-line Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) for Operations across applicable Americas Division legal entities, including scoping, facilitation, and documentation in the GRC tool.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of key controls, identify control gaps and residual risks, and develop practical, risk-based remediation recommendations in partnership with business owners.
• Oversee end-to-end issue management, including management observations, audit and regulatory findings, root cause analysis, action plan development, and validation of timely, sustainable remediation.
• Partner with Operations leadership to embed risk and control considerations into business strategy, change initiatives, process design, and day-to-day operations.
• Establish, monitor, and report key risk indicators (KRIs), key control indicators (KCIs), and related metrics to assess control performance, identify trends, and drive targeted actions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for Second Line of Defense partners, Internal Audit, and Regulatory Relations on Operations control matters, ensuring timely, accurate, and well-governed responses.
• Lead, coach, and set standards for Control Officers supporting Operations, including quality review of assessments.
• Identify and assess emerging risks (e.g., volume growth, third-party/vendor dependencies, automation, model/technology change, and regulatory developments) and proactively recommend prioritized mitigating actions.
• Prepare and present clear, decision-ready risk and control materials for senior management forums and governance committees.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may be adjusted as business needs and organizational priorities evolve.

Qualifications and Skills
• 12+ years of experience in Operations risk management, business controls, audit, and/or compliance within mid-sized to large global financial institutions and/or consulting firms.
• Deep understanding of Middle Office and Back Office Operations processes supporting institutional clients (e.g., Sales & Trading and/or Corporate & Investment Banking).
• Demonstrated expertise with first-line risk frameworks (RCSA, issue management, control testing, and metrics), including designing and executing control assessments and driving continuous process improvement.
• Solid understanding of applicable U.S. laws, rules, and regulations and relevant regulators (e.g., FRB, SEC, FINRA, NFA, NYDFS).
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, credibly challenge, and align senior stakeholders; drive change and consensus in a complex regulatory environment.
• Proven experience leading and managing regulatory exams and audit engagements, including remediation planning and follow-through.
• Highly developed analytical, written, verbal, and executive-level presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear messages.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree and/or relevant professional certifications preferred.

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. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.