Business Function
Group Marketing & Communications is responsible for building, protecting, and enhancing the DBS brand in an increasingly commoditised banking industry. Working closely with all units within the DBS Group, we create and execute integrated strategies that focus on communications especially digital communications, marketing, and research to differentiate - and elevate - our brand from the rest of the competition.
Job Purpose
DBS is seeking to hire a Vice President, Budget and Planning, for the GM&C business marketing team. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing Marketing budget planning and management, marketing financial operations, and ensuring compliance with risk management guidelines. The incumbent is also responsible for negotiating and managing relationships with creative and media agencies. This role requires a strategic thinker with excellent negotiation, financial management, and planning skills to support our Marketing and business units goals.
Responsibilities
External Agency Management
- Lead negotiations for retainer agreements, commercial terms, and contract renewals with creative, media, digital, and specialist agencies.
- Drive agency governance, performance management, and service accountability to ensure delivery against business objectives and agreed KPIs.
- Oversee agency planning and retainer utilisation to maximise value and operational efficiency.
- Manage out-of-scope engagements, rate card negotiations, and cost optimisation initiatives across agency partners.
- Partner with Procurement, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders on agency onboarding, contract management, and compliance requirements.
Budget Planning, Management & Financial Governance
- Lead department budgets, marketing budget planning, forecasting, and allocation across the Consumer Banking Group (CBG), partnering closely with senior stakeholders and business units.
- Manage marketing budgets, ensuring effective utilisation, financial discipline, and alignment with strategic business priorities.
- Facilitate quarterly budget and Marketing Programme Proposal reviews to evaluate investment priorities, optimise funding allocation, and track delivery against objectives.
- Drive end-to-end budget governance, including budget & contract monitoring, re-allocation recommendations, clawbacks, and approval controls.
- Lead budget reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis to support management decision-making and financial planning.
Marketing Operations & Transformation
- Oversee Integrated Marketing Operations (IMO) processes, systems, and governance to improve operational efficiency and marketing effectiveness.
- Drive finance requirements, process design, and stakeholder alignment for marketing workflow and workbench enhancements.
- Lead process improvement and automation initiatives to streamline campaign planning, budget management, procurement, and reporting activities.
Reporting, Governance & Compliance
- Develop and present executive-level reports, scorecards, and strategic presentations for senior leadership.
- Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks, internal controls, and operating procedures across marketing planning and operations.
- Ensure compliance with financial, procurement, risk, regulatory, and audit requirements, partnering with relevant control and support functions.
- Lead the review, communication, and implementation of policies, procedures, and control enhancements to support a strong risk and compliance culture.
- Provide management visibility into budget performance, operational effectiveness, key risks, and strategic initiatives through regular reporting and governance forums.
Stakeholder Management & Strategic Planning
- Collaborate with senior business, product, finance, procurement, and marketing stakeholders to align marketing investments with business priorities and growth objectives.
- Act as a trusted advisor to leadership on budget strategy, resource allocation, operational governance, and agency management.
- Drive cross-functional alignment and decision-making to ensure marketing programmes are delivered efficiently, effectively, and within governance requirements.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Finance or Business Administration preferred.
- Minimum 8 years experience in marketing budget management or financial planning, with a strong preference for experience in the financial services or creative/media industry.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate with and manage multiple agencies.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to supervise and mentor a small team.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
- Proficiency in financial reporting and compliance with risk management practices.
- Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with teams across different departments and regions.
Location:
DBS Asia Central
Job:
Marketing and Communications
Schedule:
Regular
Employee Status:
Full time
