Transaction Banking - Trade Finance Sales - Vice President (Japanese Speaking)

Who are we?

We are not your typical financial institution. It’s our people who make us a cut above. Here, every person is respected because of their differences, not in spite of them.

We pride ourselves on a culture of purpose, passion and compassion. At Mizuho, we provide the stability of an international industry leader with the career trajectory of a growing business. Our steady, strategic growth gives our people at all levels rewarding degrees of responsibility and a richer work experience than a boutique firm or an established giant could offer alone.

Working for Mizuho opens doors not just to a rewarding career with excellent prospects, but to lasting friendships with colleagues from diverse cultures. It’s the local expertise of our employees that makes our global network so powerful. By collaborating with colleagues and clients who have your same ambition, you can amplify your sphere of influence and base of knowledge as part of one of the largest—and growing—banks in the world.

What is the opportunity?

The Vice President of Trade Finance Sales Team is a responsible for:

• Sales and business promotion activities related to transaction banking for Japanese clients as well as Subsidiaries of Asian multinational Companies in EMEA;
• Implementation, execution and delivery of trade finance to the clients as mentioned above to maximise profit contribution to the organisation and to enhance Mizuho’s visibility, reputation and market presence;
• End-to-end product management, new trade finance implementation, including setting up relevant workflow / operational procedures in coordination with internal and external parties involved;
• Engage in marketing / sourcing activities, including responding to client enquiries / request for proposal, in collaboration with the client relationship managers, and;
• Strategic product planning and development with regional and global product leads.

What will you be doing?

• To achieve both individual and Team’s revenue / income targets and other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through delivering trade finance solutions to the clients through identifying their requirements, delivering solutions to them by structuring transactions in conformity with Mizuho policies.
• To manage the whole process of transactions from origination to execution, including project management, legal documentation, implementations, technology setup and integration.  Specifically:

• Communicate progress, risks and issues to all stakeholders including the client.
• Manage the internal teams responsible for the project tasks such as middle office, legal / compliance, technology and operations.
• Ascertain training needs for the suppliers and organise and lead training sessions as required.
• Work with clients (corporate and FI) and third parties on the legal documentation, providing necessary details and explanation as required.
• Engage with the middle office team to complete the AML/ KYC procedures.
• Proactively plan and initiate setting up and/or improving internal workflow / operational procedures for new or existing products in coordination with relevant departments / offices in order to deliver the product / solution to clients.

• To prepare client marketing materials and presentations on trade finance solutions that cater to the needs of specific clients, including analysis of cash conversion cycle / working capital and assessment of platforms/technology requirements. 
• To proactively coordinate with other GTBDE members and Head Office in Tokyo and share information on client needs and/or deals in order to effectively manage our business activities related to trade finance solutions in EMEA.
• To collaborate with various internal parties and stakeholders, especially with the RM departments, to (a) proactively propose effective approach to clients to meet their requirements, (b) assist in addressing enquiries from clients based upon product expertise, (c) proactively share information on status and action plan on deal pipeline, and (d) ensure delivery of services and solutions to customers in line with their expectation in terms of quality and time.   
• To maintain good relationship with clients, third-party solution providers, financial services companies etc., to develop and update industry knowledge, understanding on market trends and clients’ requirements.
• To assist develop new products and business strategies for trade finance products / solutions, in discussion with Head of Europe Office and Head of Trade Finance Sales Team, through identifying clients’ requirements.
• To assist other Trade Finance Sales Team members from time to time on execution work on other trade finance products as required.

What do you need to succeed?

• Sales and business promotion of trade finance business in a major international bank
• Pitching / presentation to the local clients – especially overseas subsidiaries of Japanese corporates
• Marketing / sourcing of new deal opportunities from clients and executing deals, thereby making financial contribution to the organisation; strong track record of deals closed
• Advanced product knowledge of wide range of transaction banking, especially trade finance, such as L/C confirmation and forfaiting, invoice discount finance (receivable finance), supply chain finance, pre-export finance/pre-payment finance and so on
• Execution skills - i.e. negotiation of key terms and conditions, evaluation of structural arrangement and relevant credit / operational risk, documentation skills, legal due diligence, compliance risk, etc.
• Industry/market knowledge of the commodities of key trade finance clients
• Skill to analyse underlining risks and mitigate risks to the Bank’s satisfaction
• Language skill: Japanese and English (both fluent)
• Capability to develop strategies in trade finance area
• Communication skill internally and externally
• IT literacy and knowledge of latest situation of Fintech especially in trade finance area

What Mizuho can offer you

Here at Mizuho, there are fantastic progression opportunities and clear paths to promotion. We will give you ample opportunity to affect change and to help grow our business.

In addition to the great opportunity outlined above we are also currently able to offer:

• Competitive starting salary, plus discretionary bonus
• Non-contributory pension
• 27 days’ annual leave
• Core working hours*
• Hybrid working  - office and home based*
• Virtual GP
• Wellbeing benefits, including Mental Health Allies and First Aiders

*For applicable roles only

At Mizuho, we embrace flexible ways of working when the role permits. We offer different working arrangements like part-time, job-sharing and hybrid (office and home) working. Our purpose-led culture and global infrastructure help us connect, collaborate, and work together in agile ways to meet all our business needs.

At Mizuho we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and equality, and seek to create a workplace that is fully inclusive. We welcome applications from all sections of the community that we operate in and from all ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, beliefs, gender identities and disabilities

If you require more information about our equal opportunities policy or wish to discuss any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments please contact the recruitment team – recruitment@mizuhoemea.com and we will be happy to help.