Associate, Credit Portfolio Risk

Role Description

SMBC is seeking an Associate to join the Credit Portfolio Risk team within the Risk Management Department of the Americas Division. Reporting to the Director of Credit Portfolio Risk, this role supports the governance, review, and execution of new business initiatives from a credit risk perspective.
The Associate partners with business stakeholders and control functions to help ensure that new products, transactions, and business activities are assessed, documented, and approved in alignment with the firm’s credit risk framework and governance standards. The role focuses on coordinating cross functional approvals, preparing credit risk materials, and tracking execution to support timely and well controlled implementation of new initiatives.
In addition to supporting day to day new business governance, the Associate contributes to risk assessments, process improvements, and implementation readiness activities. Through this work, the role helps ensure that new business initiatives are consistent with the approved business case, risk appetite, and regulatory expectations, while supporting the ongoing enhancement of credit risk processes and controls.

Role Objectives: Delivery

•    New Business Governance: Coordinate and support the New Business Initiative approval process, including credit risk review and governance requirements, in alignment with firmwide policies and standards. 
•    Credit Risk Assessment: Support the evaluation of credit and related risks associated with new products, transactions, and business activities, including the identification of key risks and development of appropriate risk mitigants. 
•    Cross Functional Engagement: Partner with business stakeholders, risk management teams and control functions to facilitate risk alignment, manage dependencies, and support timely execution of required approvals. 
•    Risk Documentation & Reporting: Prepare, maintain, and track credit risk assessments, RCSA documentation, approval materials, and status reporting to support effective governance and transparency.
Implementation & Ongoing Support
•    Business Implementation Support: Assist with risk readiness reviews and implementation activities for approved initiatives, ensuring alignment with the approved business case and credit risk expectations.
Process & Framework Enhancements
•    Risk Framework Enhancement: Contribute to the continuous improvement of credit risk processes, controls, and governance frameworks to strengthen risk oversight and support evolving business activities.

Role Objectives: Interpersonal

•    Communicates clearly and effectively to drive timely risk alignment, facilitate governance decisions, and support efficient execution of new business initiatives. 
•    Produces high quality written materials and presentations that support credit risk assessments, governance reviews, and process enhancement initiatives. 
•    Collaborates cross functionally to synthesize diverse stakeholder perspectives into accurate, actionable insights, while ensuring timely follow up on required actions and approvals. 
•    Engages effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, including credit risk teams, business partners, and senior leadership, to support transparent and well controlled governance outcomes.

Role Objectives: Expertise

•    Demonstrates a solid understanding of financial products and global markets, applying product features, transaction structures, and market conditions to inform credit risk assessments and support new business initiative reviews.
•    Applies a strong understanding of credit risk and portfolio management concepts, including U.S. and international regulatory expectations, to support clear risk articulation and effective governance discussions. 
•    Leverages working knowledge of the end to end credit lifecycle and core risk management frameworks (e.g., Three Lines of Defense, risk appetite, risk ratings) to coordinate approvals and support consistent execution of new business initiatives. 
•    Demonstrates experience in credit process management, including approval workflows, credit committee governance, and ongoing monitoring, to ensure timely, well controlled delivery of governance requirements. 
•    Uses strong analytical judgment and attention to detail to synthesize complex information into clear, decision ready materials that support stakeholder alignment and governance outcomes.

Qualifications and Skills

•    Minimum of three years of experience in financial services, with demonstrated exposure to new business initiatives from a credit risk perspective.
•    At least one year of experience in product development, risk management, or business control, supporting structured review, approval, or governance processes.
•    Prior experience within a global financial services environment is strongly preferred.
Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field required.