Head of Trade Services

About the role The Head of Trade Services is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end trade services function, ensuring the effective and compliant execution of all activities – both onshore and those off-shored. The role requires strong operational governance, risk awareness, and leadership to maintain service quality, operational efficiency, and adherence to regulatory and internal standards.

The incumbent will manage a combination of back-office and middle office functions, drive operational excellence, and partner with stakeholders across business, compliance, finance, and regional teams to support strategic and regulatory initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily trade services covering both back-office (processing, settlement, documentation) and middle-office (control, reconciliation, and monitoring) activities.
• Ensure all trade transactions are processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with internal procedures, regulatory requirements, and service-level standards.
• Maintain proper controls and escalation procedures to manage operational risks.
• Provide governance and oversight over trade processes outsourced to service providers.
• Ensure service providers operate in line with contractual obligations, regulatory expectations, and internal quality standards.
• Review performance through regular service reviews, KPIs, and issue resolution tracking.
• Liaise with regional management teams to address service gaps, process improvements, and audit findings.
• Ensure full compliance with internal policies, operational risk frameworks, and external regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and support local and regional regulatory initiatives impacting trade services.
• Manage audit and compliance reviews, ensuring timely remediation of findings.
• Identify opportunities to streamline operational processes and enhance automation to improve efficiency and control.
• Participate in local and regional projects focused on process re-engineering, system enhancements, and operational transformation.
• Ensure robust Business Continuity Planning (BCP) arrangements are in place for trade services.
• Participate in periodic BCP tests, review contingency procedures, and ensure timely update to recovery plans.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the trade services team to achieve high performance and engagement.
• Manage resource planning, succession, and training to maintain operational capacity and capability.
• Support budget and cost management for the function, ensuring cost efficiency and productivity targets are met.
• Act as a key point of contact for internal and regional stakeholders, including Coverage, Compliance, Finance, and Technology teams.
• Support both local and regional initiatives and projects, including those driven by regulatory or business priorities.

Essential Technical Knowledge/Skills

• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Strong governance and control mindset.
• Leadership and people development.
• Stakeholder collaboration and influence.
• Change management and adaptability.
• Attention to detail and execution excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in trade services, with at least 5 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong understanding of trade products (LCs, collection, guarantees, bills, financing, etc.) and related regulatory framework.
• Conversant with various rules and related banking laws relating to international trade transactions and guarantees e.g., UCP600, ISBP, ISP98, URDG758, local bank regulations and practices.
• Proven ability in stakeholder management, project execution, and operational risk management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

If you are a talented and focused professional seeking the right opportunity to take your career forward, this job is the role for you.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C