VP IT- Data & Digital Product Owner (D&D PO)
The Data & Digital Product Owner is a senior, strategic role responsible for maximising the value of data, analytics and digitalisation across the organisation. You will drive delivery of the data & digital vision, data-driven insights, and democratisation of data products, collaborating with business and technical teams to drive adoption, innovation, and measurable impact. This role is pivotal in shaping how data & digitalisation informs strategy, operational excellence, and decision-making across all departments. In the wake of our recent transactional announcement, the Data & Digital Product Owner will be central to our evolution from traditional operational reporting & manual processes to a truly strategic, insight-led approach. By collaborating across all departments to understand operations and data sources and translate business needs into actionable digitalisation & BI (business intelligence) solutions, the D&D PO will drive delivery of application features, reporting and dashboards that are not only business fit-for-purpose but also drive measurable impact. Championing data integrity and governance, they will create compelling visualisations and KPI-driven reports that surface critical insights, enable data storytelling, and empower stakeholders to make informed decisions. Through automation, process improvement, and the adoption of advanced analytics technologies, the D&D PO will foster a culture of digitalisation, data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and commercial success - ensuring our data assets become a catalyst for operational efficiency and strategic growth.
This is an opportunity to make a real impact in a data-drive organisation, shaping how digitalization and data informs strategy and drives values across commercial and financial teams. You will be empowered to innovate, challenge existing methods and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Core Responsibilities
- Design and continuously enhance digital and analytical solutions - including reports, dashboards, data models, and digital products - that are grounded in robust, reliable data and tailored to both operational and strategic business requirements. Ensure these solutions go beyond traditional reporting by integrating KPI-driven insights, advanced analytics, and data storytelling, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and drive measurable impact across the organisation.
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Drive the delivery of the Data & Digital vision & the evolution of reporting: Champion the delivery of the data & digital strategy and roadmap for data and analytics products, ensuring every initiative supports business objectives and transformation programmes. Ensure outputs are business fit-for-purpose and enable strategic decision-making.
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Drive cross-functional collaboration: Partner with stakeholders across all departments to identify & reuse trusted data sources, deeply understand business needs, and translate these into actionable requirements and business intelligence solutions.
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Project delivery: Drive projects to deliver data products that meet business requirements, from initial requirements gathering to final implementation.
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Uphold data governance and quality: Maintain the data governance frameworks for data integrity, quality, and enrichment, ensuring all data assets are compliant, consistent, and secure. Ensure data owners & stewards are clear on their expectations to ensure high quality data products.
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Enable data insights through data storytelling: Develop compelling visualisations and reporting solutions that surface critical insights, track KPIs, and empower stakeholders to make informed decisions. Promote best practices in data storytelling and presentation to maximise impact.
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Accelerate operational efficiency: Identify and implement opportunities to automate data processes, streamline workflows, and deliver scalable solutions that support business growth and agility.
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Foster a data-driven culture: Build strong relationships across the organisation, mentor team members, and lead initiatives that embed data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement at every level.
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Champion innovation in analytics: Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies - including AI, machine learning, GenAI, and LLMs - to enhance business value and drive transformation.
Qualifications & Experience
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Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Analytics, Statistics, Finance or related field
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7 years + experience in data analytics, business intelligence or product ownership roles, with a track record of delivering strategic data products and business intelligence.
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Basic proficiency in SQL, Power Query, DAX and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc)
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Experience with data warehousing, data modeling and integrating multiple data sources
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Strong understanding of implementing a data governance frameworks and driving data quality best practise.
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Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and manage complex projects
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Excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills
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Commercial acumen and experience working with financial/commercial data
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Experience in Agile or Waterfall delivery methodologies
Desirable:
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Experience in the aircraft leasing, fleet management, banking or treasury/finance sectors
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Hands-on experience with Power BI or similar data preparation/blending tools
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Familiarity with AI machine learning and Gen AI/LLM technologies
Critical Behaviours
These embody our culture and are central to how we work together at SMBC Aviation Capital:
Respect: Two-way communication: listen intently, give quieter voices a platform and be conscious of tone. Respect people’s time and be flexible in accommodating others.
Trust: Create a psychologically safe space. Do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it. Be honest, communicate openly and be respectful of each other’s needs.
Integrity: Always do what is right including when no one is watching; treat people with respect and kindness; be self-aware, compassionate and embrace diversity.
Connect: Collaborate to unleash the full potential of our diverse talent. Respect each other’s expertise and perspective and welcome challenge. Foster an inclusive and fun environment where accomplishments are recognised and take pride in winning together.
Adapt: Be brave and curious – anticipate the future and be proactive. Have a ‘why not’ attitude, learn from previous experiences. Call out bureaucracy when it is evident in a process or way of working. Be agile to meet and exceed our customers’ needs. Demonstrate resilience and support each other.
Achieve: Take accountability and ownership to deliver results, be ambitious and take pride in everything we do. Set each other up for success and share insights. Do what it takes to drive positive change and seek opportunities to innovate and grow our business and people.
Take your career to new heights – come join us at SMBC Aviation Capital
At SMBC Aviation Capital we look after one another. Through the SMBC Aviation Capital People Commitment we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits, aligned to your needs as you move through different career and life stages. The SMBC AC People Commitment also includes our people-led culture; reward & recognition; along with our learning, wellbeing, inclusion, engagement, and CSR initiatives. In return, we ask you to bring your enthusiasm and commitment to your work here at SMBC AC to mutually create an exceptional employee experience.
A world of opportunity awaits you at SMBC Aviation Capital. Our workplace is one where diversity is welcome, and people of all backgrounds are supported to be at their best. We are an equal opportunities employer and strive to build an ever-inclusive work environment. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees. Should you have a reasonable accommodation request please reach out to us at Careers@smbc.aeroLiaise with and support commercial and other teams to enable the execution of a broad range of transactions