Assistant Vice President, Trade Finance in London

Do you want your voice heard and your actions to count? Discover your opportunity with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), one of the world’s leading financial groups. Across the globe, we’re 150,000 colleagues, striving to make a difference for every client, organization, and community we serve. We stand for our values, building long‑term relationships, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. With a vision to be the world’s most trusted financial group, it’s part of our culture to put people first, listen to new and diverse ideas and collaborate toward greater innovation, speed and agility. This means investing in talent, technologies, and tools that empower you to own your career. Join MUFG, where being inspired is expected and making a meaningful impact is rewarded.

This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive environment where your expertise in trade finance will be highly valued. As part of the EMEA Operation Office, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the accurate and timely processing of complex transactions, while also nurturing team spirit and client relationships.

What you'll do

• Provide expert processing and technical consultation services for Commodity and Structured Trade Finance as well as Transaction Banking Divisions across the EMEA region, ensuring all activities meet MUFG’s high standards.
• Verify and process Letters of Credit (LCs), Letters of Guarantee (LGs), collections (clean and documentary), and other trade finance products with precision, adhering strictly to governing rules such as UCP600, URDG758, URC, and internal procedures.
• Support the ongoing development of the team by identifying training needs, sharing knowledge on regulatory requirements, system usage, key controls, procedure adherence, and fostering a positive team spirit.
• Oversee quality assurance tasks including end‑of‑day controls, checklist completion, document scanning, post management, and workflow distribution to ensure seamless daily operations.
• Act as a coach and mentor for junior team members by providing guidance on technical matters and encouraging open communication within the group.
• Promote a customer‑first attitude by building strong client relationships through professional communication and embracing MUFG’s core values rooted in Japanese culture.
• Ensure compliance with all bank policies and regulatory requirements to mitigate financial crime risks while maintaining robust control frameworks within the department.
• Collaborate closely with other Assistant Vice Presidents to distribute workloads fairly across sub‑teams, maximising efficiency by considering wider departmental pressures rather than operating in silos.
• Lead sub‑teams through periods of change or business growth by supporting structural adjustments that streamline processes and enhance overall effectiveness.
• Contribute proactively to process improvement initiatives by suggesting effective solutions that drive operational excellence while supporting senior management with staff concerns or day‑to‑day issues.

What you bring

• Experience working within trade finance operations environments with hands‑on exposure to checking shipping documents against UCP600 standards as well as Letters of Credit documentation.
• Comprehensive understanding of all trade finance products including import/export LCs, LGs (Letters of Guarantee), collections (both clean and documentary), and related financing structures.
• In‑depth knowledge of UCP600, URDG758, URC522, ISBP745, relevant ICC publications as well as awareness of UK/Japan/OFAC sanction policies impacting trade finance activities.
• Familiarity with anti‑money laundering controls specific to trade finance operations along with proven ability to apply these measures effectively within daily workflows.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications coupled with experience formatting SWIFT messages for efficient transaction processing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workflow distribution across teams while maintaining accuracy under pressure during transaction spikes or tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills enabling you to build rapport with clients and colleagues alike while promoting a customer‑centric approach throughout all interactions.
• Strong organisational abilities including time management skills necessary for balancing multiple priorities without compromising attention to detail or compliance obligations.
• A university degree is essential; additional certifications such as CDCS or CSDG are highly desirable but not mandatory for this role.
• A flexible mindset combined with enthusiasm for continuous learning ensures you adapt positively to changing business needs while contributing constructively within diverse teams.

What sets this company apart

MUFG stands out as one of the world’s most trusted financial groups—a company deeply committed to integrity, stability, and long‑term client partnerships. In joining MUFG’s London office within the EMEA Operation Office, you become part of an inclusive culture that values collaboration over competition. The organisation places significant emphasis on professional development: employees are encouraged to share knowledge freely while benefiting from structured training opportunities designed to elevate both technical skills and leadership potential. MUFG’s dedication to operational excellence is matched by its respect for cultural diversity—rooted in its Japanese heritage—which fosters mutual respect among colleagues at every level. The company supports flexible working arrangements where possible so that employees can balance personal commitments alongside professional ambitions. At MUFG you’ll find not just a job but a community invested in your growth; here your contributions are recognised as vital components of collective success.

We are open to considering flexible working requests in line with organisational requirements. This advert will close 24th May 2026. MUFG is committed to embracing diversity and building an inclusive culture where all employees are valued, respected and their opinions count. We support the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in recruitment and employment, and oppose all forms of discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender reassignment, religion or belief and marriage or civil partnership. We make our recruitment decisions in a non‑discriminatory manner in accordance with our commitment to identifying the right skills for the right role and our obligations under the law.