Business Manager - Defence, Shipping and Space

UK Export Finance; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government export finance agency is seeking a Business Manager for Underwriting in Defence, Shipping & Space. This role involves leading a team to manage complex transactions, obtaining necessary approvals, and developing creative financial solutions for customers. Ideal candidates will have experience managing teams, strong communication and analytical skills, and a background in international finance. The position offers flexible working options and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Understanding of international finance techniques.
• Knowledge of risk structures in export finance.
• Management skills to lead and coach team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of complex transactions.
• Negotiate documentation and creative solutions under tight deadlines.
• Represent UKEF at conferences and maintain exporter relationships.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Team management

Negotiation skills

Education

5 GCSEs at grade C including Maths and English

Job description

Business Manager – Underwriting (Defence, Shipping & Space)

UKEF's Business Group sits at the heart of the department. Due to expansion and growth of our business and customer base, UKEF is looking to fill a Business Manager underwriting role in the Defence, Shipping & Space team that sits within the wider Aerospace, Defence, Shipping & Space division led by Pat Cauthery. The Business Manager’s overall role is to lead and have overall responsibility for a team of staff responsible for evaluating and progressing enquiries and applications from exporters, banks and other institutions seeking UKEF support.

The role involves managing defence, shipping and space sector cases (directly or by delegating to the relevant team member) to: (1) obtain the necessary approvals (e.g. credit risk committee); (2) work on creative solutions regarding financial structuring and documentation; (3) underwrite and issue commitments; and (4) negotiate and issue documents to enable support to be made available by any UKEF insurance product or finance guarantees to banks or via a direct lending solution. The post holder must ensure that any support which is provided meets the needs of the customer and complies with UKEF’s governing Act of Parliament, the Consent to operate by HM Treasury, International Agreements applying to Export Credit Agencies as well as in compliance with our policies and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of potentially high profile, high value and complex transactions.
• Work on multiple cases simultaneously in a highly pressurised, commercially driven, technical, international environment.
• Analyse complex and non‑standard issues, seek advice as necessary, and make timely decisions.
• Provide senior marketing representation, business development, and build/maintain commercial relationships.
• Advise senior staff, Whitehall colleagues and ministers on contentious issues and balance multiple stakeholder needs.
• Self‑develop professional/product knowledge and be politically and commercially aware.
• Lead, mentor and coach a small team of junior staff, driving performance and development.
• Project‑manage cases with external law firms, advisers, banks, exporters and other ECAs; set deadlines and monitor progress.
• Chair and participate in meetings, conference calls and negotiations with key stakeholders.
• Negotiate key documentation and develop creative solutions within tight timescales.
• Produce detailed advice for senior decision makers and exercise autonomy as appropriate.
• Maintain relationships with key exporters and customers, ensuring they obtain maximum benefit from UKEF support.
• Represent UKEF at conferences and public engagements.
• Pitch UKEF’s offer to potential businesses and develop relationships with new prospects.
• Maintain detailed technical knowledge of international financing mechanisms and UKEF products.
• Manage staff, set objectives, delegate work, train, develop and manage performance.
• Identify and develop new approaches to complex casework and manage policy change effectively.
• Contribute to wider UKEF policies and management issues.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent including Maths and English, or good numeracy and written skills.
• Understanding of and aptitude for international finance techniques.
• Knowledge of finance and risk structures used in export finance/defence, shipping and space finance.
• Full understanding of the environment that UKEF operates within and the wider picture.
• Deep understanding of sector issues, themes and structures across the deal pipeline.
• Lead negotiator skills and effective communication (oral and written) with senior stakeholders.
• Proficient numeracy and analytical ability to review complex financial, legal and policy issues.
• Effective problem‑solving skills and creativity in challenging situations.
• Ability to work without close supervision, exercise autonomy, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively within and manage cross‑departmental teams.
• Ability to represent UKEF externally at all levels, including internationally at expert meetings.
• Management skills to lead, coach and manage junior team members.
• Experience of structuring financing packages and commercial process management at a middle management level.
• Experience of concluding ECA transactions or equivalent.

Experience and Skills

• Experience of managing teams to deliver outcomes.
• Experience of dealing with senior external customers/stakeholders.
• Experience of concluding ECA transactions or equivalent in the private or public sector.
• Experience of structuring financing packages.
• Experience of commercial process management and decision‑taking at a middle‑management level.

Nationality Requirements

Open to UK nationals; nationals of the Republic of Ireland; Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK; EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme; Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the required security level before appointment.

Benefits and Development

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Flexible working options.
• Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Environment encouraging inclusion and diversity.

EEO Statement

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.