Head of Trade Services

Our client, a corporate bank backed by a global network, is looking for a Head of Trade Services to lead its Trade Services department. The department processes, checks, approves, and monitors the day-to-day operations of trade-related transactions and related risk control, covering L/C opening, advising, confirmation, and transfer; import and export document checking; financing; collection; settlement; irregular item investigation; and periodic reporting. The bank offers a full spectrum of corporate banking services, including syndicated loans, treasury, transaction banking, financial advisory, project finance, M&A, leveraged finance, and structured finance.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day operations of a trade services team, ensuring all trade finance activities are processed promptly, accurately, and efficiently.
• Establish clear objectives, provide coaching, and cultivate a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Delegate tasks and empower staff to contribute to efficiency enhancement initiatives, including Business Process Re-engineering (BPR).
• Lead and support the transition to new core banking systems and digital platforms, ensuring a smooth migration with minimal disruption to business operations.
• Promote the adoption of digital tools and workflows to improve operational effectiveness, accuracy, and scalability.
• Identify and implement process automation opportunities that support business growth and service excellence.
• Regularly review and strengthen internal controls to reduce operational, compliance, and financial risks.
• Ensure all activities align with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards (e.g., AML, UCP, ISBP, URR725, URC522).
• Escalate suspicious transactions and operational incidents to management in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the outsourcing team to set clear standards and monitor the quality, controls, and risk management of outsourced processes.
• Maintain effective communication and alignment between internal and external teams to uphold service quality and compliance.
• Act as the escalation point for complex or high-impact client issues, offering expert advice and solutions to internal front office teams and external clients.
• Collaborate proactively with relationship managers, product teams, and clients to provide tailored operational support and pursue business opportunities.
• Keep abreast of regulatory, market, and technological developments, recommending policy and procedure updates as needed.
• Lead or take part in cross-functional projects and ad-hoc assignments that support strategic initiatives and organizational transformation.
• Serve as the Section Head in TDS, managing the Section to fulfil overall duties and responsibilities in line with the Bank's direction and regulatory requirements.
• Support Management in planning, setting, and executing administration and enhancement goals.
• Achieve successful migration to and adoption of core banking and digital systems within the team.
• Deliver high-quality, timely trade finance processing within a strong risk and control environment.
• Foster effective collaboration with outsourcing partners and internal stakeholders.
• Provide proactive customer support and contribute to business development.

Requirements

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities with a drive to improve productivity and performance.
• A commitment to high standards of business conduct and integrity in operations, reporting, and other activities.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 20 years of trade finance operations experience, including at least 10 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience in digital transformation projects, particularly core banking system migration.
• A strong track record in managing large teams and collaborating with outsourcing partners.
• In-depth knowledge of trade finance products, processes, and relevant regulations.
• Familiarity with ICC rules (UCP600, ISBP, URR725, URC522, etc.) and international trade business models and products.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Good command of written and spoken English and Chinese, including Mandarin.