Team Head Trade Finance Operations

Main Purpose of the Role

• To manage Trade Finance Operations & the FCC Oversight function in London.
• Ensuring that the team are cultivating and developing the business relationship with relevant customers for processing of documentary and guarantee transactions and that the process-relevant internal and external guidelines and regulatory requirements are being complied with.
• Where relevant the TH TFO & FCC Oversight is responsible for overseeing, monitoring and managing the Service provider (CERI) with the aim to ensure that Financial Crime Control activities are performed with the required diligence and quality, taking into consideration possible deviations from UK when compared to EU and German regulations.
• Enforcement of the SLA concluded with the Service Provider performing FCC activities.
• The TH TFO & FCC Oversight needs to take due consideration of the relevant local laws and local compliance policies ensuring that London branch processes and those of relevant team within CERI are compliant and aligned to local and global policies. This includes building key relationships with Local compliance and the MLRO office.
• To work closely and collaboratively with the Local TFCM Sales International Team, IC Relationship Managers, and other relevant local stakeholders in the location.
• Work with the global team to ensure global consistency in processes where possible, taking due consideration for local and cultural differences within the function.
• Engaging in customer interaction if required.

Key Activities and Competencies

Handling Operations of Trade Finance Business

• Ensuring that the team is providing specialized, process-oriented advice and that customers are advised with due consideration given to their specific needs and the bank’s operational requirements.
• The TH TFO & FCC Oversight works closely with the Local TFCM Sales International Team and IC Relationship Managers dealing with corporate clients in the location of his responsibility, whom he supports by providing pertinent information in a team-orientated manner. In doing so they will also provide any information which could lead to potential cross sells.

Leadership

• Supervise and guide staff; evaluate staff performance and address employee issues; participate in staff hiring, disciplinary activities and employment related decisions, planning, organizing and monitoring of workflow.
• Encourage colleagues to show initiative, motivation, cooperative thinking, team spirit and a business-oriented approach by allocating tasks clearly, delegating responsibility and providing pertinent information to achieve predetermined marketing and service aims.
• Carries out managerial tasks with a situational leadership style. Helps subordinate colleagues to develop professionally and reach their full potential in line with the opportunities provided by the company.

Compliance

• Responsible together with the respective local and/or global business/support/product unit, to the best of thier knowledge and to the extent possible, and always within means and capacities provided by the bank, to comply with the local laws and provisions (amongst other things, regulatory requirements, labour laws, tax and commercial laws), as well as the relevant internal regulations of Commerzbank.
• Observe the bank's rules of action, policies, and regulations, including, but not limited to, regulations on competences, limits, regulations pursuant to Comrules in Comnet, Code of Conduct, Compliance Regulations (Sanctions, embargos, Anti Money Laundering, Know Your Customer, Fraud prevention, Markets, Anti-Bribery and Corruption rules etc.) and ensuring compliance with first line of defence responsibilities.
• Together with the FCC Specialist & representatives of the 2nd LoD where relevant provide Instruction and training to the Service Provider performing FCC activities
• Together with the FCC Specialist monitors the performance of the Provider performing FCC activities to ensure that TF Transactions are always compliant with UK and Globally applicable rules & regulations established by Regulatory & Principles Cell of the Trade Finance Cluster
• Enforcement of the agreed Service Levels within the SLA concluded with the Service Provider performing FCC activities, i. e. Key Quality, Performance and Risk Indicators
• Together with the FCC Specialist actively oversees the Provider performing FCC activities by checking individual transactions based on pre-defined sample sizes and Key Risk Indicators
• Acts on shortfalls detected and clearly instructs Provider performing FCC activities to put effective counter measures in place
• Keeps his superior as well as the SMF in London informed about the control results and actions taken to improve performance when needed

Miscellaneous

• Support staff
• Responsibility for warranty of occupational health and safety and health protection for all employees of his units
• Participate in market events, client events and qualification seminars of the bank as attendee and speaker/advisor, enrol in relevant associations etc.
• Individually agreed responsibilities may apply.

Key Requirements (Work experience/ Formal education)

Formal Education

• Apprenticeship in banking, or
• Completed University or University of Applied Science study, or
• Proof of other adequate qualification
• Fluency in Native language of the relevant location and English (written and verbal). Any other second and/or third language
• Intercultural openness and several years of experience working in an international environment

Detailed requirements for each career level

CBM 02

• Management and overview of the whole documentary and guarantee processes in each branch including independent clarification of any client queries during any escalation processes.
• Ensuring compliant handling of recurring daily business routines in accordance with internal and external regulations and within the agreed deadlines.
• Support of the colleagues that are responsible for KYC processes for Corporate Clients with respect to trade finance products: Ensuring adequate knowledge of the client and understanding of its business nature to comply with first line of defence principles, which includes local legislation, internal regulations of the bank aimed at Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT).

CBM 03

• Keeps updated on any market developments regarding Trade Finance Products/ Processes and regulatory requirements. He ensures that any possible short falls in existing processes will be closed.
• Participating running projects within TPCC and providing input for strategic projects within Trade Finance Operations globally.
• Building and maintaining of an informal internal and external network – also beyond own area of expertise – to achieve high-quality results.

Specialist knowledge, i. e. work experience, further qualifications, etc.

• Comprehensive knowledge of internal and external regulations, guidelines, and related workflows in the area of responsibility (including AML, Countering Terrorist Financing, Financial Crime and First Line of Defence Activities).
• Proficient expertise in writing, updating and implementing policies and procedures, ideally in the sphere of Trade Finance and regulatory required transactional checks.
• Profound knowledge of the Trade AI system, it’s Guideline and the Regulatory Manual for Trade Finance in Commerzbank.
• Certifications of Trainings around Trade based AML, Sanctions & Embargos, FCC, Fraud Prevention, etc. is a plus.
• Previous exposure to and/or discussions with a Regulator is a plus.
• At least 3 years Leadership experience in an international environment required.
• in managing teams.
• At least 3 years of comparable professional experience, strong trade finance background required.
• Practical experience of workflow management would be an advantage.
• Fluent in English. German and/or any other language is a plus.