Trade Finance Middle Office Manager | S3 | Trade Finance | Manchester

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organisation, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

SANTANDER UK TRADE & SUPPLIER FINANCE is looking for a TRADE FINANCE MIDDLE OFFICE MANGER based out of MANCHESTER.

Trade Finance is an integral part of the growth strategy for Santander Corporate & Commercial Bank. The individual is a key part of the Middle Office team, managing the end-to-end processing of Trade transactions directly and working with the processing hub(s) to deliver market leading service to the clients using Santander for their Trade Finance servicing.

As a Trade Service Middle Office Manager, you will supervise a team who manages product portfolio, whilst checking and processing standard and specialist business transactions within tight timescales. You will lead the operational team through complex change.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a specialist operations team(s) to deliver excellent service, high performance and strong customer outcomes.

• Leading the end-to-end delivery of complex Trade Finance transactions across one of the following specialist teams - Letters of Credit, Guarantees, Collections, Trade Loans, Supplier Finance and/or Trade Facilities.

• Managing the full lifecycle of transactions, from issuance and amendments through to document checking, discrepancy management, payments, claims and ongoing servicing.

• Approving and overseeing standard, non-standard and high-risk Trade Finance activity, ensuring strong control, accuracy and timely execution.

• Providing expert guidance to subject matter experts and customers on Trade Finance products, structures, documentation, ICC rules (UCP600/URDG/URC/ISP98) and credit conditions.

• Acting as a senior escalation point for complex transactional issues, documentary discrepancies, non-payment triggers and bespoke customer requirements.

• Driving operational excellence through effective capacity planning, quality oversight, service improvement and performance management.

• Ensuring robust risk management and compliance across all activity, including operational controls, AML and financial crime requirements.

• Building strong partnerships with Front Office teams, customers and offshore processing partners to support efficient delivery and issue resolution.

• Identifying and implementing opportunities to improve processes, enhance service and strengthen the overall client experience.

• Ensuring operational environment stability through the transformation and thereafter.

• Leading the effective management of operational incidents, driving timely escalation, root cause resolution, stakeholder communication and implementation of actions to reduce recurrence.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience:

• Proven leadership experience working in Trade Finance Operational environment

• Extensive leadership experience and working knowledge in Trade Finance & Supplier Finance specialist products.

• Knowledge and experience in using range of Trade Finance and Payment systems.

• Ability to Deputise for the Head of Trade in the planning of key strategic projects and to manage projects and initiatives for the department as required.

• Ability to investigate and resolve issues with key stakeholders / business partners using initiative and problem-solving skills through extensive internal network.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to develop strong working relationships at senior levels and the proven ability to positively influence outcomes.

• Detailed knowledge of relevant regulatory and legislative issues.

• Strong organisational, time management and planning skills, with effective prioritisation of multiple deadlines and the ability to work under pressure to achieve those deadlines.

• Experience of dealing with commercial and corporate clients in a financial & Trade Finance environment.

• Proven ability to interpret and document complicated processes, define controls, identify opportunities for process improvement.

• Leading operational team through complex transformation whilst embedding new target system.

• Outstanding people leadership and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to use experience to consult and create bespoke customer proposals and managing all associated risks.

• Excellent level of communication, negotiating and influencing skills.

• Excellent level of presentation, negotiating and report writing skills.

• Excellent level of numeracy and analytical skills, demonstrating accuracy and attention to detail.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Santander, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.
Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you have on customers and communities, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year

• £6,000 car allowance per year

• Company funded individual private medical insurance

• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.

• Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. 

• As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services

• Competitive rewards that reflect the real impact you make and the value you bring.

• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.

• Support for every life stage — from menopause and pregnancy to parenthood and beyond, with enhanced family leave, childcare options and tailored wellbeing support.

• Time to give back through volunteering opportunities that let you make a difference in the communities we serve.

• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

At Santander, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are site-based with a hybrid working pattern, where colleagues are expected to attend the office at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles).

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s). 

Right to work in the UK

• Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Santander either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Santander will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

We welcome applications on the understanding that, should you be offered this role, there may be no relocation package available. Santander will pay the employer mandatory government fees that are required to pay in connection with visa sponsorship. You may be liable for your own personal employee immigration and relocation costs.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at [email protected].