We speak with Suzanne Sweeney, Head of Strategy, Finance and Operations with SBCI about her career journey, innovation in the industry and the importance of building a supportive culture where team members can be their best. She also shares insights into her typical day and the value of mentoring and networking for those aspiring to enter the industry.
My career in financial services started out by accident. I applied for a part-time summer job with one of the main banks in Cork, to my surprise after an interview I was offered a permanent role. It turned out I had joined the wrong interview queue on the day which was a lucky mistake that started my career. Over the years that followed I worked in a variety of banks (both large and small) which gave me the opportunity to experience a variety of roles ending up specialising in lending and credit risk. I had no plans to move out of the sector however a role came up in NAMA when it was being set-up which was too good an opportunity to pass up and be involved in setting up a unique organisation during the financial crisis that hopefully we will not require again! That move to the public sector led to another opportunity in the National Treasury Management Agency with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
As my current role spans several functions (Finance, Operations MI & Data, IT Systems), no two days are the same. However, that variety makes the role very interesting and gives me a great view of what is happening across the business. I usually plan each week to ensure that I am devoting the appropriate amount of time to each area however that rarely goes to plan!
My favourite thing about my role is being part of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland that makes financing more accessible and affordable for Irish businesses. It is very rewarding to see the large number of SMEs that have been able to grow their business with the help of an SBCI loan knowing that I have played a part in that. I also enjoy the variety of the role which keeps my work exciting and challenging.
My role has evolved significantly since I first started my career mainly due to the variety of organisations that I have worked in and the different roles that I have taken on over the years. One of the biggest changes that I have seen in the financial services sector in recent years has been the rise of digital tools and fintech innovations which have transformed how we operate.
Innovation is crucial in the financial services sector and particularly for my role which includes the operations and IT area of SBCI. We need to embrace innovation to ensure we can adapt to changes and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving sector. One of our core values in SBCI is ‘Innovation’ where we continuously look for new and better ways of doing things. By having that mindset, we have introduced new technologies and processes that have helped us to streamline workflows, enhance our productivity and most importantly offer more tailored loans for SMEs.
I would describe my leadership style as collaborative, supportive and open. I believe it is important to empower team members and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed and be their best. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and listened to an open and honest communication approach is key so that everyone on the team knows what is happening across the organisation and are not afraid to make mistakes and share any ‘bad news’.
Overall, I try to lead by example and ‘walk the walk as Albert Einstein once said… “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means”.
My first piece of advice would be to talk to as many people as you can in the industry to get a sense of the different roles there are in the sector, if a particular area piques your interest, try and get to speak to a few people that work in that area as they will be able to give the best advice (and contacts) for how to get started in their particular field.
Secondly, once you are in the sector, don’t be afraid to take on roles in areas you may not have initially considered. I have found from experience that opportunities often come up at unexpected times and from unexpected places.
Finally, I would recommend building a strong network and seeking mentorship early on, it is great to have a mentor or two who can provide a guiding light early on in your career.
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