Senior Vice President, Export & Agency Finance, Global Transaction Banking (China ECAs Focus)

Senior Vice President, Export & Agency Finance, Global Transaction Banking (China ECAs Focus)

Country: China

The role is responsible for origination, structuring and execution of Export & Agency Finance (EAF) transactions with a primary focus on China Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), supported deals. The successful candidate will independently manage deals from A to Z – from origination and pitching to structuring, negotiation, credit approval, documentation, and execution while demonstrating exceptional leadership and teamwork. This includes mentoring junior team members, driving strategic initiatives, and positioning for potential future team leadership responsibilities within the APAC EAF franchise.

The position is based in Beijing to enable close proximity and relationship-building with key Chinese stakeholders. Frequent business travel (up to 30-40% of time) across Greater China and APAC is required, with opportunities to influence and expand Santander’s presence in this high-growth market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead origination, structuring, and execution of Chinese ECA-supported transactions (inbound to China, outbound from China, and intra-APAC), including buyer credits, supplier credits, and other ECA-backed structures, while providing strategic oversight and guidance to the team.

• Independently drive end-to-end deal management (A to Z), including client/exporter pitching, preparation of transaction proposals, term sheets, and marketing materials tailored to Chinese market practices, with a focus on mentoring others in these processes.

• Build and maintain consolidated relationships with key Chinese stakeholders, including major exporters/importers, banks active in EAF, and direct contacts at SINOUSRE HQ and regional offices, leveraging seniority to open high-level doors.

• Collaborate closely with Santander’s client coverage teams in Greater China, APAC regional office to identify, develop, and distribute EAF opportunities across APAC, while leading cross-functional initiatives and fostering a collaborative team environment.

• Provide input into credit proposals, liaise with risk teams on approvals,  and manage the credit process effectively, including coaching junior staff on risk assessment and approvals.

• Negotiate loan documentation with internal departments (Middle Office, Legal, Compliance) and external advisors as needed, ensuring alignment with Chinese regulatory and SINOSURE requirements, and demonstrating leadership in resolving complex issues.

• Support broader APAC EAF transactions (including other ECAs/MLAs such as JBIC/NEXI, ADB, AIIB) when required, contributing to team goals and knowledge sharing.

• Demonstrate strong leadership by mentoring and developing team members, sharing Chinese market intelligence, driving innovation in EAF products, and contributing to the long-term build-out of Santander’s EAF team in Asia Pacific, with potential to assume team leadership roles.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or other relevant discipline

• Minimum 10 years of relevant EAF/structured trade finance experience, with a strong track record in SINOSURE supported transactions (previous experience at a major bank active in Chinese export finance is essential)

• Proven leadership ability to independently originate and execute complex EAF deals from A to Z, including client-facing pitching, commercial negotiations, structuring, and documentation

• Deep knowledge of SINOSURE-supported financing structures, products, policies and technicalities, particularly for Chinese ECAs

• Established senior level network of contacts with Chinese exporters/importers, banks, and ideally direct relationships at SINOSURE with demonstrated ability to leverage these for team-wide benefits

• Strong credit assessment skills and experience liaising with risk/credit teams

• Excellent leadership, teamwork and collaboration skills with a proven ability to work effectively in a matrix environment across geographies and functions

• Good knowledge of broader corporate banking and trade finance products

• Fluency in both English and Mandarin with an additional Asian language is a plus