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