Head of Trade Finance

To provide strategic leadership and direction to the Trade Finance Operations team, with a strong emphasis on originating, developing, and growing new trade finance business in alignment with our client’s overall strategy. The role is responsible for proactively sourcing and driving new business opportunities across all trade finance products—including letters of credit, guarantees, collections, forfaiting, and trade loans—positioning Trade Finance as a key revenue-generating pillar of the Bank.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Proactively identify and pursue new trade finance business opportunities, including monitoring FI limits and engaging directly with counterparties or through the secondary market.
• Respond promptly and professionally to all external and internal enquiries relating to trade finance opportunities, demonstrating strong technical expertise and excellent customer service.
• Liaise effectively with customers on document discrepancies, technical queries, and transaction issues, including managing difficult customer interactions with professionalism and clarity.
• Manage smooth running of trade finance operations ensuring all transactions are handled in a timely and efficient manner with excellent customer service, in accordance with Bank policy and regulatory guidelines, and within customer credit limits.
• Complete credit line reviews and applications on a timely basis to ensure credit lines are renewed prior to expiry for the smooth running of customer/counterparty trade finance limits, as well as completing the customer/counterparty due diligence checks for compliance, and present to Credit Risk and MLRO for assessment and approval.
• Respond promptly and with care and attention to all e-mail enquiries in respect of trade finance business opportunities, enquiries from correspondents, or internal correspondence.
• Monitor FI limits and where limits are available check with relevant counterparties for new trade loan business opportunities, both directly with FI counterparty or via the secondary market.
• Attend meetings with counterparties to develop relationships and increase scope for sourcing business opportunities, as well as attending internal meetings whether in respect of trade finance operations or general matters of the Bank.
• Monitor changes in relevant regulation, whether government or governing body (e.g. International Chamber of Commerce, International Trade and Forfaiting Association) to ensure application of any new rules are applied within our operations.
• Perform final check and authorise all transactions processed, signing documentation, including internal account posting vouchers, and releasing Swift payments and correspondence, ensuring all work is completed accurately and in accordance with Banks policies and relevant regulation.
• Third check documents presented under letters of credit over £100K.
• Second check documents when covering absence of a team member.
• Second signatory on all documentation advising or amending letters of credit, issuance or amendment of guarantees, or any other departmental documentation requiring signature.
• First signature on all trade finance documentation which requires approval by the CEO or nominated deputy, or a second authorised signature of the Bank.
• Provide monthly management information on business volumes and income and write the monthly trade finance highlights report for EXCO, and when necessary for the Board of Directors.
• Check all documentation in respect of trade loans or forfaiting transactions, and sign the approval form.

To be considered for this position, ideal candidates must have the following experience and skills:

• Minimum 7 years experience of working in the trade finance area of an international bank having covered all aspects of trade finance operations, including documentary credits, forfaiting, trade loans, working with risk participation agreements, and active involvement in business development.
• Must have management/supervisory experience.
• Ideally possess the CDCS/CITF/CSDG professional qualification/s.
• Credit analysis skills for reviewing FI financial accounts and experience of preparing FI credit applications would be useful.
• Thorough knowledge and grounding in ICC rules governing letters of credit, guarantees, bank to bank reimbursements, documentary collections, standby letters of credit, and forfaiting.
• Must be confident in dealing directly with beneficiaries and other banks in technical documentary credit matters and dealing with difficult customers and issues.
• Awareness/experience of managing credit limits, and ability to analyse bank financial reports and prepare credit line applications.
• Good understanding of Risk Participation Agreements and Trade Loan Agreements, with operational experience in conducting trade loans.
• Good knowledge of AML regulation and experience in completing customer due diligence checks.
• Thorough understanding of international payments, acceptances, discounting of bills, and trade loan documentation.

Candidates must also have the right to work in the UK. I’m afraid sponsorship isn’t offered for this position. Due to the high volume of CVs that we receive, only successful candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your time and patience.