Trade Finance Product Development Lead - SCIB

IT STARTS HERE

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization, 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.

Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB) is Santander's global division that supports some of the world's most complex and sophisticated corporate and institutional clients, offering customized services and value-added wholesale products to best meet their needs.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Trade and Working Capital is looking for a Trade Finance Product Development Lead based out of Madrid

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:

• Own and execute the product development and digital strategy for trade finance (LCs, Collections, Guarantees and Trade Loans), with direct accountability for revenues, returns, and client penetration.

• Define and deliver client origination and solution structuring strategies, partnering with Coverage, Risk, and Legal to originate, structure, and execute bespoke trade finance solutions.

• Translate commercial objectives and client needs into product vision, technology priorities, and executable development roadmaps, ensuring measurable impact on revenue growth, RWA efficiency, and client satisfaction.

• Set and govern trade finance technology and investment priorities, managing delivery backlogs with clear KPIs on time-to-market, adoption, and operational efficiency.

• Monitor market, regulatory, and technology trends to drive competitive positioning, ensure compliance, and identify new revenue and cross-sell opportunities.

• Act as a senior front-office partner and subject matter expert, supporting key client engagements, originating opportunities, and representing digital and structured trade initiatives internally and externally.

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 organization. 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

• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in Trade Finance within a global investment or tier-one commercial bank (Required)

• Demonstrated VP-level ownership of origination, structuring, execution, and lifecycle management of Trade Finance products (Required)

• Deep hands-on expertise in Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, and Trade Loans across multiple client segments (Required)

• Proven experience leading complex structuring and documentation negotiations with clients, legal, and risk (Required)

• Strong understanding of operational, processing, and risk issues impacting trade finance transactions (Required)

• Track record of driving revenues and client solutions in partnership with coverage and sales teams (Required)

• Experience in syndicated trade finance, club deals, and credit-enhanced structures (ECAs, multilaterals, private insurers) (Preferred)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Business Administration, Law, IT.  or Engineering (Required)

• Master’s degree (MBA, MSc in Finance, or equivalent) (Preferred)

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., BAFT, ICC, MiFID) (Preferred)

Languages

• English and Spanish (Required)

• French, Italian, German, Portuguese (Preferred)

Hard Skills

• Capability to translate client needs into scalable, compliant product solutions (Required)

• Advanced technical expertise in Trade Finance product design and structuring (Required)

• Strong command of trade and loan documentation standards (UCP 600, ISP98, URDG 758, LMA-style loan agreements) (Required)

• Solid understanding of regulatory, compliance, and capital frameworks affecting trade finance (AML, sanctions, Basel, KYC) (Required)

• Ability to integrate digital trade finance solutions into product and client strategies (Required)

• Strong grasp of risk-adjusted returns, balance sheet optimization, and capital efficiency (Required)

Soft Skills

• Strong commercial leadership mindset with demonstrated origination capability (Required)

• Established industry network across corporates, banks, ECAs, insurers, and advisors (Required)

• Excellent stakeholder management across front office, risk, legal, operations, and technology (Required)

• Strong influencing and negotiation skills at senior client and internal levels (Required)

• Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to talent development (Required)

• Strategic, resilient, and comfortable operating in a matrixed, international environment (Required)

• Ability to thrive under pressure (Required)

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

Your contribution matters, and it’s recognized. You can expect a fair, competitive reward package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. But we know rewards go beyond numbers.

• We’re enable our teams to go beyond through global opportunities and broad career paths.

• Learning for life. Access hundreds of courses on our platforms, including exclusive access to our global learning space: Santander Open Academy (www.santanderopenacademy.com)

• Competitive rewards. Receive a highly competitive salary with performance-based bonuses, motivating you to keep growing with us.

• Financial advantages. Benefit from preferential banking terms, special interest rates on loans, life insurance, and more.

• Your health is our priority. Through BeHealthy, our global wellness programme, we promote Holistic wellbeing.

• We know family is everything. That’s why we offer childcare support and family-friendly programmes tailored to each life stage.

• Always by your side. Get access to Santander Contigo, our program for employees and their families offering legal, emotional, and administrative advisory services.

• Extra benefits. Gym/WellHub membership, medical centers in some of our facilities, meal subsidy, parking, shuttle service from various points in Madrid, as well as exclusive discounts and offers for Santander employees. And that’s only the beginning—we’ll tell you more when you join!

We’re here to keep you motivated, help you reach your goals, and celebrate your progress, every step of the way.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

Santander is proud of being an organization where there are equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

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

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR JOURNEY?

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