Macro & FI Research Assistant Vice President - SMBC - #2158869

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.

Background

Junior Analyst, under supervision of Research Leader, is expected to build up required knowledge to assume the coverage of one industry vertical (e.g. Consumer/Retail) in the EMEA region and to co-operate with analysts across global CRSD department. The main tasks, delivered under guidance from the Research Leader, are to support the bank's marketing effort by identifying potential customers and transaction (acquisition/trade/project finance) support, simultaneously helping the credit department to protect the bank's asset portfolio by identifying adverse corporate/industrial trends. The Junior Analyst supports Research Leaders and the banks' marketing staff by contributing to meetings/presentations to the customers, enhancing the bank's business relationships.

Business Area

The Corporate Research Department (CRSD) is part of the global research function located in Tokyo, Osaka, London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai with over 130 analysts in total.

The mission of the department in London is to provide independent, timely and value-added insights and intelligence to key stakeholders in order to contribute to the achievement of the bank's strategy. In order to fulfil this mission, CRSD analysts combine in-depth understanding of theindustries for which they are responsible withadvanced knowledge ofcorporate finance, credit analysis and latest financial technologies.

Purpose of Job

• Industry expertise is central to support developing the bank's business strategy and providing best advice and services to bank's existing and prospectus customers.
• Junior Analyst helps the bank to build a competitive advantage over competitors and creates newbusiness opportunities (new customers, additional products/services and transaction support).
• Industry expertise is a required input to protecting the bank's asset portfolio and is critical for proactive monitoring measures (monthly Credit Monitoring, bi-annual Industry Credit Review).

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Reports directly to Research Leader and is expected to assist in drawing up the research strategy for a specific industry sector, notably an analyst is expected to:

• Support production of industry/corporate reports helping senior staff to define the department's strategy with the aim being to improve long term profitability.
• Support the bank's marketing effort by identifying potential customers plus supporting the development of new products and services.
• Assess industry rationale and provide risk/return analysis of corporates transactions by utilising sector expertise and development of statistical/financial models.
• Liaise with the bank's EMEA branches and Tokyo to deal with industry/corporate inquires and supporting transaction/research projects.
• Identify and attend relevant industry events (conferences, Capital Market days) to obtain/update industry knowledge and build relations with management teams, consultants/ratings agencies.
• Protect the bank's asset portfolio through watch list systems, daily news monitoring for sector covered, assessing monitored sectors (restricted exposure) and input to monthly Credit Monitoring.
• Drive new technology adoption to increase value of insights and efficiency (AI, alternative data analysis).

Facts / Scale

• Supporting producing of annual industry strategy for the relevant sectors, identifying major trends, business opportunities, corporate strategies and potential new customers/transactions.
• Producing (under supervision of Research Leader) up to 4 thematic Industry Research reports (each taking 2-3 months to complete), requiring numerous meetings with external consultants and companies' management teams, extensive data gathering/analysis (e.g. regression), to explore new sectors and technologies offering business opportunities for the bank and its customers.
• Contributing to preparation of company's strategy reports analysing corporate business models, major opportunities and key risks for the bank's existing/new customers (typically with exposures over $100mn).
• Producing presentations (internal and external) as a follow up after completion of a major Industry/Corporate research report.
• Regular meetings (accompanied by Research Leader) with senior (CEO/CFO) management of companies, rating agencies and external consultants, requiring previous company/sector analysis to obtain (not publicly available) insight into corporate strategies/niche market opportunities.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Degree (2.1 or above) from top institution plus most staff have an additional qualification in finance or related subject.
• Knowledge of industry/credit analysis frameworks; flexibility to cover a secondary industry at short notice as workload demands.
• Excellent understanding of financial statement analysis and accounting/reporting standards , with financial modelling skills and knowledge of internal and external rating methodologies.
• G ood interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior management decision making .
• Foreign languages (European and/or Japanese) for better communication with EMEA/global branches is a plus.

Challenges

To support Research Leaders to provide convincing and independent opinion that can be in conflict with the needs of the business to achieve budget targets.Dealing with multiple departments under severe time pre