Energy Trade Finance Associate - Global Transactions

GTB UK is a key growth business within BBVA London branch. We offer trade and working capital solutions, cash management, advisory and customer funding solutions. The business constantly changes with macroeconomic conditions. As a result, all GTB business lines continue to evolve to provide optimum trade and working capital solutions, liquidity, and payment solutions to clients.

About the role

Reporting directly to the Head of GTB UK & Northern Europe, the Associate will support the Senior Trade Sales Sector Lead (Energy) in the origination, structuring, execution, and post-closing management of GTB transactions. This role combines client-facing responsibilities with strong analytical and administrative ownership. The Associate will play a key role in supporting the definition and deployment of the GTB business strategy for the Energy sector, including contributing to budget planning, pipeline management, and performance monitoring.

The ideal candidate will have prior exposure to the energy sector, including utilities, integrated energy and oil & gas companies, renewable energy firms, and energy traders.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Senior Trade Sales Sector Lead (Energy) in the origination, structuring, execution, and post-closing management of GTB transactions across the Energy sector (utilities, integrated energy, O&G, renewables, and energy traders).
• Contribute to the definition and deployment of the sector business strategy and annual budget, including pipeline management, revenue tracking, and performance monitoring.
• Identify and develop new trade finance opportunities with existing and prospective clients in the UK and Northern Europe.
• Participate in client meetings and calls with the Senior Trade Sales Sector Lead, occasionally alongside Relationship Managers, offering tailored working capital and trade solutions.
• Deliver financial and technical advisory services aligned with clients’ funding and risk mitigation needs.
• Support the end-to-end structuring and execution of GTB products, including guarantees, Standby and Documentary Letters of Credit, receivables and supplier finance solutions, prepayments, PXFs, and inventory finance.
• Prepare pricing simulations, profitability analysis, and financial models to support transaction structuring and negotiation.
• Define and negotiate commercial terms in coordination with Legal and relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare and submit credit applications, obtain Risk approval, and present proposals in internal committees as required.
• Ensure accurate registration, modification, and ongoing update of transactions and opportunities in internal CRM, risk, and management tools, maintaining high standards of data quality and integrity.
• Coordinate closely with Middle and Back Office teams to ensure smooth documentation, closing, guarantees administration, and post-closing monitoring.
• Support internal reporting, business reviews, and management presentations, while generating recurring income to meet annual revenue targets.
• Act as First Line of Defence, operating within the Bank’s risk appetite and ensuring full compliance with internal policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Requirements and Languages

• Strong knowledge of traditional trade finance and working capital product knowledge in the energy sector, including utilities, integrated energy and oil & gas companies, renewable energy firms, and energy traders.
• Strong capacity for teamwork.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally.
• Minimum 3 years of direct trade finance, working capital exposure.
• Previous exposure to credit origination and facility structuring.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation, and communication skills, both written and verbal as well as the ability to deliver compelling presentations.
• Strong credit analytical skills, including experience with pricing models and profitability analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams across client coverage, execution, and internal administration.
• Ability to drive resolution of client issues.
• Undergraduate degree ideally complimented with an MBA & or CFA.
• Spanish language desired but not mandatory.
• Priority will be given to candidates with the right to work in the UK.