Vice President, Trade Finance

Vice President, Trade Finance

Commodities credit and trade finance fund operating as part of a larger, established global organization. The fund is based in New York and it provides bespoke financing solutions across global commodity markets, combining the agility of a new venture with the strength and resources of our parent platform.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Vice President of Trade Finance to join our senior team in New York. This is a pivotal opportunity to help build and scale a new platform from its inception while leveraging the infrastructure, capital base, and expertise of our broader organization. As a VP, you will lead the origination, structuring, and execution of complex trade finance transactions across various commodity sectors, while also contributing to the strategic development of our business and mentoring junior team members.

Key Responsibilities:

Transaction Leadership & Execution

· Lead origination, structuring, underwriting, and execution of trade finance transactions across diverse commodity sectors, including letters of credit, pre-export finance, inventory financing, structured commodity trade finance, borrowing base facilities, and receivables financing

· Conduct sophisticated credit analysis and due diligence on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions with particular focus on counterparty risk, structural risk, commodity price risk, and geopolitical considerations

· Structure innovative trade finance solutions tailored to client needs, balancing commercial competitiveness with risk-adjusted returns

· Negotiate transaction terms, documentation, and covenants directly with clients, legal counsel, and other stakeholders

· Manage transactions from initial assessment through closing, coordinating across internal teams including legal, operations, risk, and compliance

· Present investment opportunities to internal credit committees and senior management, defending credit recommendations and addressing concerns

Portfolio & Risk Management

· Oversee and monitor a portfolio of trade finance facilities, ensuring ongoing credit quality and compliance with facility terms

· Identify early warning signals and proactively manage problem credits, including workout situations and restructurings when necessary

· Conduct periodic portfolio reviews and participate in annual credit reviews for assigned relationships

· Ensure appropriate risk mitigation strategies are in place, including insurance, hedging, collateral management, and structural protections

· Maintain deep understanding of commodity market dynamics and their impact on portfolio performance

Business Development & Client Relationships

· Originate new trade finance opportunities through existing relationships and proactive market development

· Build and maintain relationships with senior executives at trading companies, commodity producers, processors, and other trade finance market participants

· Represent the firm at industry conferences, trade association events, and client meetings

· Collaborate with the broader parent organization to identify synergies and cross-selling opportunities

· Develop market intelligence on competitive landscape, pricing trends, and emerging opportunities

Strategic & Leadership Contributions

· Participate in the development and refinement of underwriting guidelines, credit policies, and operational procedures

· Mentor and develop junior team members, providing guidance on credit analysis, transaction structuring, and professional development

· Partner with senior leadership to establish best practices and build a high-performance culture

Market Expertise & Thought Leadership

· Maintain deep expertise in specific commodity sectors and serve as an internal subject matter expert

· Monitor macroeconomic trends, commodity market developments, regulatory changes, and geopolitical events that impact trade finance

· Provide market insights and intelligence to inform investment decisions and risk management

· Contribute to internal training, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership initiatives

Required Qualifications

· Demonstrable progressive experience in trade finance, and focused on underwriting and structuring trade finance transactions within a bank, financial institution, trade finance fund, or commodity trading/finance platform

· Proven track record of independently originating, structuring, and executing trade finance transactions with strong credit quality

· Deep understanding of trade finance products across the full spectrum, including letters of credit, pre-export finance, structured commodity finance, inventory financing, receivables purchase, and borrowing base facilities

· Strong credit analysis and risk assessment capabilities with demonstrated ability to underwrite complex, cross-border transactions

· Extensive knowledge of commodity markets, trade flows, and physical commodity supply chains (covering multiple commodity sectors strongly preferred)

· Experience working with trading companies, commodity producers, processors, merchants, and other participants in commodity value chains

· Strong financial modeling skills and proficiency in analyzing complex financial statements, cash flows, and corporate structures

· Demonstrated ability to negotiate transaction terms and manage relationships with senior-level clients

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to prepare compelling credit presentations and represent the firm professionally

· Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or related field from a top-tier institution

· Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment

· Strong leadership capabilities with experience mentoring junior professionals

Preferred Qualifications

· Experience across multiple commodity sectors including soft commodities (agricultural products), energy (crude oil, refined products, natural gas, LNG), and/or metals and minerals

· Track record of building a trade finance business or working within a start-up or growth-stage platform

· Existing network of relationships within the commodity trading and trade finance community

· Experience with emerging markets trade flows and cross-border transactions

· Understanding of commodity hedging strategies, derivatives, and price risk management

· Familiarity with international trade documentation, ICC guidelines, Incoterms, and documentary credit practices

· Knowledge of trade finance technology platforms and digitalization trends

· Experience with workout situations, restructurings, or special situations

· MBA, CFA, or other relevant advanced degree or professional qualifications

· Multilingual capabilities (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, or other languages relevant to commodity trade)

What We Offer

· Highly competitive compensation package including base salary, performance-based bonus

· Exceptional opportunity to build and shape a new platform from the ground up with meaningful impact on strategic direction

· Senior-level role with clear path for advancement as the platform grows

· Access to the resources, capital base, infrastructure, and network of our established parent organization

· Entrepreneurial culture with autonomy and decision-making authority

· Collaborative environment working alongside experienced professionals

· Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off

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Professional development opportunities and support for continuing education

Location

New York, NY (in-office presence expected with flexibility for client travel)

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.