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Assistant Vice President, Sustainability Planning Team

SMBC Group • Singapore • Added on Aug 28, 2026
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This role involves orchestrating the regional sustainability framework for a global financial giant. You will be the primary link between corporate sustainability mandates and local execution, ensuring that subsidiaries across Asia-Pacific align with the bank’s evolving environmental and social standards. Beyond policy management, you will take the lead on transaction-level due diligence, verifying that client projects meet rigorous ESG criteria before capital is deployed.

Working within one of Japan’s largest banking groups, your influence extends to the very core of sustainable finance. By managing green deposit reporting and refining sustainability KPIs, you directly contribute to the decarbonization of the regional economy. This position provides a high-level vantage point over how a major financial institution navigates the complex regulatory landscapes of Asia, making it a critical hub for responsible capital allocation and climate risk resilience.

This suits someone who possesses a sharp legal or risk management mindset and can translate technical ESG requirements into clear, actionable business strategies. You should be comfortable navigating the intricacies of regional banking regulations while maintaining a focus on long-term environmental outcomes.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

As an Assistant Vice President, you will primarily orchestrate the regional sustainability framework for the APAC region. This involves ensuring that all subsidiaries adhere to the Group's core standards while localizing policies to meet specific regional requirements. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of sustainability KPIs, which includes everything from initial forecasting to final reporting and evaluation. A significant portion of your responsibilities will focus on environmental and social due diligence. You will evaluate customer transactions to ensure they align with the bank's internal risk guidelines and broader sustainability commitments. Additionally, you will lead various working groups and forums, providing the necessary guidance to ensure internal business units remain compliant and proactive in their sustainability efforts.

Key learning opportunities for this job

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain deep expertise in sustainable finance regulations across various Asian jurisdictions. You will be at the forefront of how international standards like the Equator Principles or TCFD are applied in a commercial banking context, providing you with a highly marketable skill set in ESG risk management. Furthermore, you will sharpen your ability to manage complex regional reporting structures and green financial products, such as green deposits. Working within a major Japanese financial group also offers exposure to cross-border sustainability strategies, helping you understand how global corporate mandates are balanced with local market realities and regulatory expectations.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate should have at least five years of professional experience, with a heavy emphasis on sustainability risk management or policy compliance within the banking sector. A strong academic background in environmental law, management, or sustainable finance is essential to handle the technical nature of the role's due diligence requirements. You should possess an analytical mindset capable of handling data-driven environments and qualitative risk assessments. Given the collaborative nature of the Sustainability Planning Team, the ability to build strong interpersonal relationships with diverse stakeholders across different business units and geographies is vital for success in this position.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, your application should demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the APAC regulatory landscape regarding ESG. Don't just list your tasks; explain how you have previously navigated conflicting regulatory requirements or how you have successfully influenced internal stakeholders to adopt more rigorous sustainability standards. Highlighting specific experience with environmental and social due diligence (ESDD) for large-scale corporate transactions will be highly beneficial. Show that you can balance the commercial interests of a bank with the strict requirements of sustainability frameworks. Mentioning your ability to work within a Japanese corporate culture or your experience with regional subsidiaries will also demonstrate cultural and operational fit.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on mitigating environmental and social risks through strict policy enforcement and transaction screening. This ensures the bank’s capital is not inadvertently supporting activities that harm the environment or violate social standards. It is a defensive and strategic layer of the bank's sustainability architecture. Additionally, there is a strong focus on accountability and transparency through the management of green deposits and sustainability KPIs. You will ensure that the bank's green claims are backed by robust data and compliant reporting, which is essential for maintaining trust with regulators and the public in an era of increased scrutiny over greenwashing.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be managing the diversity of regulations across different Asian markets. Each country has its own maturity level regarding ESG, and finding a middle ground that satisfies both the Global Group standards and local mandates requires high adaptability and diplomatic skill. Another challenge lies in integrating sustainability into the fast-paced banking environment. You may face pressure to expedite transaction due diligence without compromising on the depth of the environmental and social assessment. Balancing these operational speeds with the rigorous requirements of sustainability compliance is a constant task for this role.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with reviewing environmental due diligence reports for upcoming corporate loans or investment projects to ensure they meet the bank's E&S risk criteria. You would likely spend time in meetings with regional subsidiaries, providing guidance on how to implement new sustainability policies or updates to existing frameworks. In the afternoon, you might shift your focus to data analysis and reporting, tracking the progress of sustainability KPIs or preparing documentation for a regional sustainability committee meeting. The day often involves constant communication with business units to support their specific green initiatives while ensuring all activities remain within the established compliance boundaries.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Success in this role could lead to senior leadership positions within the bank’s global sustainability or risk management functions. Because this role interacts with almost every part of the bank, it provides a high-visibility platform that can lead to strategic roles in regional planning or corporate governance. There are also opportunities for specialization in green finance. As the bank expands its portfolio of sustainable products, you could become a subject matter expert in the development and oversight of green bonds, social loans, or other transition finance instruments, positioning yourself as a key architect of the bank's future growth strategy.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Regional Sustainability Planning Team and various business units, including Corporate and Investment Banking teams who require guidance on transaction screening. You will also be a key point of contact for sustainability officers at the bank's regional subsidiaries. Externally, your work involves engagement with regional regulators to ensure compliance with emerging disclosure and risk management laws. You may also interact with ESG data providers and external auditors who verify the bank’s sustainability reporting and green product certifications.

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