Global Trade Operations Manager

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a skilled professional to oversee all activities within the Trade Services Section. This role will support the growth of conventional and Islamic Corporate Banking, SME and FIG businesses by working closely with internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of staff assigned to this role, as determined by senior management.
• Provide guidance on technical matters related to trade and offer advisory services to internal and external customers.
• Address audit queries and ensure compliance with Corporate Banking and FIG regulations.
• Develop and deliver training sessions for TSS staff and other departments, as well as for corporate clients on Trade Finance.
• Lead the Trade Services unit effectively, motivating and developing its resources.
• Implement controls to minimize operational losses and errors.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate unit resources to maintain and improve efficiency.
• Regularly review unit activities and processes.
• Recommend changes to guarantee texts and other documents to prevent potential losses.
• Monitor staff performance and provide guidance and leadership.
• Review products, processes, and people to achieve the bank's overall strategy.
• Verify trade transactions and be accountable for accuracy.
• Maintain close customer relationships and implement the maker-checker concept.
• Establish an operational framework to proactively identify and address potential operational errors and losses.
• Conduct regular MIS reviews of funding for key operational controls and actual activities.
• Ensure proper control management, regulatory reporting, review, reconciliation, and balancing of critical entries.
• Achieve 'SATISFACTORY' audit ratings by implementing all audit recommendations and improvements.
• Contribute to the renewal of all SOPs for Trade Services Section to ensure best practices and processes are incorporated, approved, and implemented.
• Prepare the unit team members for BCP and contingencies at all times.
• Attend and contribute to Al Jowda meetings/huddles as conducted.
• Improve continuously the content/substance of the Al Jowda meeting to align the team with department goals and initiatives.
• Participate in and contribute proactively to studies related to Processing Efficiency and Time and Motion Study.
• Implement cost reduction steps as per department targets.
• Conduct mid-year and yearly performance reviews as per HR policy.
• Hold quarterly 1-on-1 meetings with direct reports, providing constructive feedback.
• Ensure two backups are created for each desk/role.
• Train team members on new products within the unit and utilize their knowledge to create a self-supporting Unit.
• Increase Staff Engagement by involving, motivating, and empowering Unit team members.
• Implement a Job rotation plan.
• Monitor staff attendance/punctuality and unplanned leave, taking appropriate actions as per HR policies.
• Comply with Bank's Leave policy, ensuring availability of backups before availing Leave.
• Hold monthly team meetings with clear action points.
• Assist in techno-functional work related to TI application/Swift, etc.
• Attend to functional and technical requirements for trade systems and prepare and complete UATs.
• Archive processed/completed transactions periodically as per process.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting.
• Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists – CDCS (optional).

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of experience in banking, preferably with operations processing experience, demonstrating attention to detail and effective communication skills with internal and external customers, coworkers, and management.

Required Skills:

• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Functional and technical knowledge of International trade rules, Trade Finance products, and processes.
• Organizational skills
• Good written and spoken English
• Excellent office technology skills
• Analysis/Problem Assessment skills
• Good person-to-person skills
• People management skills
• Arabic is an advantage
• Problem-solving and technical banking skills, with in-depth knowledge of the bank's systems and procedures