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Head of Commodities, Diversified Energy & Infrastructure, Trade & Working Capital

London, United Kingdom

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Date live: 26/10/2026

Business Area: ICB UK GTB Specialist Sales

Area of Expertise: Relationship Management

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000136568

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Barclays Relationship Management

Join Relationship Management, to build and maintain relationships with customers, clients, stakeholders, and strategic partners. Your focus will be on driving business growth through effective relationship-building and delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs.

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Role Overview


We are seeking a highly experienced Trade & Working Capital originator and player-manager to lead our origination activity across Commodity clients, with additional responsibility for clients in the Diversified Energy and Infrastructure sectors.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record of originating, structuring, negotiating and executing complex trade and working capital transactions, with particular depth in commodity-related financing. They will combine strong client origination capabilities with excellent credit judgement and detailed product knowledge and will be comfortable leading transactions from initial client engagement and structuring through credit approval, documentation and execution.

This is very much a player-manager role. In addition to leading and developing a team of originators, the successful candidate will be expected personally to originate opportunities, lead important client discussions and take ownership of significant and complex transactions.

The role requires excellent stakeholder management skills working closely with Corporate Coverage and colleagues across Trade & Working Capital including Structuring and Syndications, Operations but also Credit, Product, Legal to identify opportunities and deliver financing solutions that meet clients' commercial requirements while demonstrating strong risk discipline to senior Credit/Risk stakeholders whilst generating appropriate returns for the bank.


Key Responsibilities

  • Assume senior Trade & Working Capital origination responsibility for a defined portfolio of Commodity, Diversified Energy and Infrastructure clients, driving transaction origination, product penetration and income growth.
  • Act as a player-manager, personally originating and leading material transactions while managing, mentoring and developing a team of originators (current team of 4).
  • Build senior relationships with clients, particularly Trade Teams, Treasurers, CFOs and senior Finance and Procurement professionals, developing a detailed understanding of their businesses, working capital cycles, commodity flows and financing requirements.
  • Originate, structure and execute bilateral and syndicated trade and working capital transactions, including trade loans, commodity prepayments, borrowing base, ECA backed structures and working capital facilities, non-recourse receivables and inventory financing, supply chain finance, letters of credit and guarantees.
  • Develop financing structures appropriate to commodity-related businesses, taking account of underlying trade flows, collateral, commodity price movements, working capital cycles, contractual arrangements and associated credit risks.
  • Lead complex transactions from initial identification through structuring, credit approval, negotiation, documentation and financial close, coordinating internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective execution.
  • Work closely with Corporate Coverage Relationship Directors to identify opportunities across the existing client franchise and develop strategic Trade & Working Capital relationships.
  • Partner effectively with Credit/Risk to develop financing structures which appropriately balance clients' commercial objectives with the bank's risk appetite and return requirements.
  • Work closely with Product, Structuring, Syndications, Legal and Operations colleagues, ensuring appropriate internal resources are brought together to deliver complex transactions.
  • Identify opportunities to deepen relationships and broaden product penetration across clients' wider working capital requirements, including receivables, payables, inventory and traditional trade instruments.
  • Work across International Corporate Banking and with colleagues in other jurisdictions to originate and execute cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions.
  • Maintain strong market awareness across commodity, energy and infrastructure sectors and use external networks, industry intelligence and existing client relationships to develop new opportunities.
  • Help shape and execute the strategic agenda for the Trade & Working Capital business, representing the business at senior forums, client events and relevant industry conferences.
  • Maintain consistently high standards of risk management, conduct and controls throughout the origination and execution process.

Person Specification


The successful candidate is likely to have significant relevant experience in Trade, Commodity Finance and/or Working Capital origination, with substantial experience working directly with corporate clients. They should demonstrate:

  • A strong and demonstrable track record of originating and executing trade and working capital financing transactions for commodity-related businesses.
  • Deep understanding of how commodity clients operate, including their physical trade flows, procurement and sales cycles, working capital requirements, liquidity drivers and financing structures.
  • Strong credit skills and the ability to analyse complex transactions, identify the principal commercial and structural risks and develop appropriate mitigants.
  • Experience of structuring transactions involving working capital assets and, where appropriate, collateral such as receivables, inventory and underlying commodity flows.
  • Strong knowledge of traditional trade products including letters of credit, guarantees, bills/prom notes and trade loans, combined with broader knowledge of working capital solutions.
  • Experience of more structured solutions such as ECA, borrowing-base, receivables, prepayments, inventory and asset-backed financing would be a strong advantage.
  • Experience working with large, diversified commodity traders, commodity producers/processors and commodity-intensive corporates would be particularly relevant.
  • Knowledge of the Diversified Energy and Infrastructure sectors, and an understanding of how trade and working capital solutions can support clients within those industries.
  • Strong commercial judgement, including an ability to balance client requirements, risk, pricing, capital usage and return.
  • Experience of syndicated and/or club transactions and the ability to coordinate multiple banks and internal stakeholders on complex deals.
  • A strong external network and the ability to develop relationships with senior client decision-makers and other relevant market participants.
  • Demonstrable leadership capability, with the credibility to lead experienced originators while remaining personally active with clients and transactions.

Essential Skills


  • Deep Trade & Working Capital / Commodity Finance expertise
  • Experience across energy, metals/mining and/or agricultural commodity clients.
  • Proven transaction origination track record.
  • Excellent credit and structuring skills.
  • Strong knowledge of structured trade finance techniques and ability to obtain stakeholder buy-in to obtain necessary approvals
  • Detailed knowledge of L/Cs, guarantees and other vanilla trade products
  • Strong negotiation and transaction-management capability.
  • Ability to navigate complex internal credit and approval processes.
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen.
  • Excellent senior client relationship skills.
  • Strong people leadership, coaching and development skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively across Coverage, Product, Risk, Legal, Operations and international teams.

Purpose of the role

To manage sales and set the strategic direction. Provide support to the bank's senior management team, and to manage sales risk across the organisation. 

Accountabilities

  • Development of strategic direction for sales, including the implementation of up to date methodologies and processes.
  • Management of sales, including oversight of colleagues and their performance, implementation of departmental goals and objectives, oversight of department efficiency and effectiveness.  .
  • Relationship management of sales stakeholders, including identifying relevant stakeholders, and maintenance of the quality of external third party services.
  • Development and implementation of policies and procedures for sales.
  • Management of sales risk, including identification of potential risks, development of strategies to mitigate those risks, and maintenance of alignment between the bank’s sales and compliance functions.  .
  • Monitoring the financial performance of sales department, including revenue, profitability, and cost control.
  • Conducting thorough market research to understand market trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes to identify market opportunities.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This role may be subject to enhanced governance arrangements. If successful, you may be required to comply with additional regulatory and compliance obligations, such as disclosure of personal trading activities and external interest/affiliations.

Further information on these requirements will be provided at a later stage of the process.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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