Associate Director, Commercial

Associate Director, Commercial  - EMEA

Who we are

Olea, a digital infrastructure platform majority-owned by Standard Chartered and incubated within Standard Chartered Ventures, directs global liquidity to supply chain and trade assets. Leveraging advance technology, Olea provides financing solutions to global supply chain participants, empowering sustainable trade and supporting sustainable economic development. Headquartered in Singapore, Olea's business spans 70+ trade corridors globally, predominantly Asia-linked.

About the Opportunity:

We are looking for an exceptional and driven Associate Director, Commercial (EMEA) to join our growing EMEA team, based in the United Kingdom. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a small, high-performing, and entrepreneurial team that is establishing Olea's presence in a newly launched region.

Working closely with the Managing Director, EMEA, and the EMEA Origination Director, you will play a hands-on role across the full commercial lifecycle — from partnership development and deal origination to execution and client management.

This role offers significant exposure to all aspects of building a new business in the region and would suit an individual who is commercially astute, risk-aware, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Some travel will be required across key EMEA markets for client and partner engagement, as well as to Singapore (approximately twice a year) for business reviews, team sessions, and cross-regional collaboration.

What You Will Be Doing

Origination & Commercial Development

• Support the MD and Origination Director in building Olea's presence and portfolio across key EMEA markets.
• Drive origination across direct clients (buyers, suppliers, and intermediaries) and through strategic partnerships with banks, fintechs, and platforms.
• Manage client relationships end-to-end — from prospecting and onboarding to deal upsizing and portfolio growth.
• Support the development of client propositions and structures that align with Olea's global strategy and risk appetite.

Execution & Internal Collaboration

• Lead and coordinate transaction execution, including structuring, pricing, credit applications, documentation, and internal approvals.
• Work cross-functionally with Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, and Distribution teams to ensure smooth and compliant deal delivery.
• Maintain accountability for deal quality, operational excellence, and adherence to internal risk frameworks.
• Manage internal processes and reporting to support regional business governance and pipeline tracking.

Risk & Portfolio Management

• Apply a strong risk mindset to all aspects of origination and execution, balancing commercial opportunity with disciplined credit judgment.
• Monitor portfolio performance and support proactive management of client exposures.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit, financial crime, and operational risk policies.

Teamwork & Growth Mindset

• Collaborate closely with colleagues across geographies and functions; support team priorities over individual wins.
• Contribute to a culture of high performance, integrity, and continuous learning.
• Operate flexibly and proactively — rolling up your sleeves to support across origination, execution, and operational activities as needed.

Transaction Profile

You will be working on mid-to-large ticket trade and working capital finance transactions, typically in the USD 5–50 million range per deal, across corporate and institutional clients in sectors such as industrials, consumer goods, commodities, and technology.

What You Will Need to Be Successful

• 7–10 years of experience in trade finance, supply chain finance, receivables finance, or related commercial roles within a bank, fintech, or trade platform.
• Strong understanding of open account trade finance and working capital solutions.
• Proven track record in client management, origination, or partnership development roles.
• Strong analytical and structuring capabilities, with the ability to assess commercial, credit, and operational risk.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence to work across senior internal and external audiences.
• A collaborative, hands-on approach — willing to contribute wherever needed in a small, agile team.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in an additional European language (e.g., French, Spanish, or Arabic) is an advantage.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, high energy, and a passion for building and scaling a new business.

If you're entrepreneurial, risk-aware, and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of global trade finance — we'd love to hear from you.