Head, Structured Trade and Commodity Finance (Financial Services)

HIRING – Head, Structured Trade and Commodity Finance (Financial
Services)

Location: Lagos

Department: Investment Banking

Reporting Line: CEO

Compensation: N120,000,000.00 – N150,000,000.00 Annually
+ other benefits

About the Company: Our client is
a leading financial bank with a strong presence across Nigeria. The company is
committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences, driving financial
inclusion, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity,
and regulatory compliance.

Our client is seeking to
hire a dynamic and visionary executive to Head our Structured Trade and
Commodity Finance (“STCF”) business who will be responsible for driving the
growth, strategy, and performance of our STCF business. This position demands a
blend of strategic acumen, deep technical expertise, broad relationship network
(with financiers and participants across the commodity value -chain) and
exceptional leadership to propel our STCF business forward in a competitive
global environment.

The role provides
strategic leadership in originating new business, managing risk, coordinating
cross -functional teams, and positioning the bank as the preferred financial
partner for high -growth businesses.

The successful candidate
will be responsible for overseeing the hiring and growth of a high -performing
team, foster innovation in complex financial instruments, and ensure alignment
with regulatory standards and market opportunities in Nigeria and the broader
African context. 

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic
Leadership and Business Development: Develop and execute the overall
strategy for the STCF Division, identifying new market opportunities, product
innovations, and revenue streams tailored to Nigerian and African markets.
Originate structured transactions with mid -tier to large corporate producers,
multinational traders (soft and hard commodities), Oil & Gas downstream
players and state -owned entities just to name a few.

• Team Management
and Talent Development: Lead a multidisciplinary team of professionals
including structurers, analysts, and legal/compliance experts. Foster a
collaborative culture, mentor high -potential talent, and ensure succession
planning to build a resilient organization, with an emphasis on local talent
development.

• Product Innovation
and Execution: Oversee the origination and structuring of commodity
finance solutions including pre -export finance (PXF), borrowing base
facilities, prepayment structures, and warehouse receipt financing, as well as
other bespoke structured solutions adapted to regional needs. Ensure seamless
execution from origination to distribution, collaborating with the Sales &
Trading team, and Syndication Teams including leading capital -raising efforts
by syndicating deals with local commercial banks, international lenders, and
Development Finance Institutions.

• Risk Management
and Compliance: In conjunction with the Risk & Compliance team,
design and implement robust risk frameworks for STCF transactions, including
credit, market, operational, and liquidity risks. Ensure full compliance with
Nigerian regulations (e.g., SEC Nigeria, CBN guidelines) as well as global
standards (e.g., Basel III, Dodd -Frank, MiFID II) and internal policies, while
mitigating potential legal and reputational risks.

• Client Engagement
and Advisory: Serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, providing
tailored STCF solutions for corporate finance, project finance and other
opportunities in the Nigerian market. Build and maintain strong relationships
with local and international institutional investors/lenders, corporates, and
counterparties to enhance market positioning.

• Financial
Performance and P&L Oversight: Manage the division’s profit and
loss (P&L) statement, budget and resource allocation. Monitor key
performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth and return on capital,
delivering consistent financial results in line with firm -wide objectives and
subsidiary goals.

• Cross -Functional
Collaboration: Partner with other divisions to integrate STCF solutions
into broader client offerings. Contribute to group -wide initiatives on
sustainability, ESG integration, digital transformation, and alignment with the
parent company’s global strategy.

• Market
Intelligence and Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of industry trends,
regulatory changes, and macroeconomic factors impacting STCF in Nigeria and
Africa. Represent the firm at regional conferences, publish thought leadership
pieces, and influence market standards through participation in local trade
associations.

Additional
Responsibilities:

• Steer the
  direction of strategy and ensure an appropriate cascade to department and
  teams.
  
• Identify
  opportunities to provide STCF solutions to local, regional and international
  (existing and new) customers.
  
• Provide
  direction for developing STCF solutions for identified opportunities.
  
• Develop
  recommendations for product offerings and transactions.
  
• Develop
  relationships with new/existing clients towards increased market penetration
  and business expansion.
  
• Lead pitching
  opportunities in the STCF business.
  
• Work alongside
  and provide guidance where required with relevant stakeholders within the
  Group, in delivering STCF pitches to clients.
  
• Stay abreast of
  new developments in Structured Trade and Commodity Finance globally, regionally
  and in the local market.
  
• Ensure all
  requisite administration and filing matters for the STCF business follow
  statutory and regulatory requirements.
  
• Provide
  innovative financing solutions for clients, other departments and the Group’s
  senior management and colleagues.
  
• Lead the
  development of relevant strategic alliances and drive effective engagement with
  relevant stakeholders, including regulatory bodies.
  
• Provide
  guidance and update to the Board on all aspects of the Business including
  emerging trends and new market ventures, to ensure that actions/decisions are
  made in the best interests of the company.
  
• Create a
  business culture that encourages the use of ethical and sound corporate
  governance practices.
  
• Analyze and
  solve business problems to ensure the business & Group’s existence and
  expansion.
  
• Delegate
  responsibilities and oversee the work of subordinates, offering direction and
  incentives to help them achieve their goals.
  
• Direct, manage,
  and develop employees, including hiring, orientation, training, counselling,
  and evaluation, and assisting them in their professional and personal
  development, as well as approving their discharge from the company’s service.
  
• Provide
  adequate support to the MD/CEO for market interface activities to increase the
  company’s visibility.
  
• Develop and
  implement policies and procedures for all STCF activities.
  
• Develop a deep understanding of clients' businesses, industries,
  financial performance, and strategic priorities.
  
• Maintain regular engagement with senior executives and key
  decision -makers.
  
• Deliver exceptional client experience while ensuring timely resolution
  of customer issues.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s
  degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or a related field required; MBA,
  CFA, or advanced degree (e.g., JD, PhD in quantitative finance) are highly
  advantageous.
  
• Minimum 10+
  years in investment or corporate banking, global commodity trading, or
  development finance with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within
  STCF or related areas (e.g., securitization, derivatives, or capital markets).
  
• Professional certifications such as ACCA, CFA, CIBN, or equivalent is desirable.
  
• Proven history
  of originating, financing and structuring commodity (physical or otherwise)
  transactions and managing teams in emerging markets, preferably in Africa.
  
• Deep knowledge
  of the West African commodity landscape, including Nigerian mining/oil sectors,
  regional agricultural export cycles and other physical commodities.
  
• Strong
  foundational knowledge of STCF, including institutional market practices and
  regulatory considerations.
  
• Deep knowledge
  of STCF instruments, including structuring techniques, pricing models, credit
  enhancement strategies and regulatory capital requirements.
  
• Experience with
  quantitative modelling, stress testing, and portfolio management is essential,
  with familiarity in regional asset classes (soft and hard commodities).
  
• Robust
  understanding of credit risk, market risk and risk controls, including
  practical application of credit assessment methodologies in commodities
  financing.
  
• Good
  understanding of Nigerian financial regulations (e.g., Investments and
  Securities Act, CBN FX regulations), international equivalents, and
  cross -border trade regulations.
  
• Experience with
  ESG and sustainable finance frameworks in emerging markets is a plus.
  
• Proven success
  in driving revenue growth, managing P&L, and navigating complex market
  dynamics in developing economies.
  
• Capacity to
  identify new market opportunities, translate business trends into actionable
  business strategies and leverage expertise to provide tailored solutions to
  target clients.
  
• Extensive
  client base and a network across global banking institutions, DFIs and
  potential investors.
  
• Demonstrated
  ability to inspire and lead diverse teams in a fast -paced, high -stakes
  environment.
  
• Strong
  decision -making, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with cultural
  awareness for operating in Nigeria.
  
• Strong
  foundational knowledge of physical commodities and structured trade financing,
  including institutional market practices and regulatory considerations.
  
• Strategic
  thinker with entrepreneurial mindset, excellent communication skills,
  goal -orientation, resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure.
  
• High ethical
  standards, and cultural sensitivity for regional operations.
  
• Innovative
  thinker to develop bespoke financial solutions which will meet clients’ diverse
  needs.
  
• Excellent
  interpersonal and communication skills to foster strong relationships with
  internal and external stakeholders.
  

Benefits